Vista - Hidden Remote control tools

Hey, Im currently rebuidling a friends computer. I am installing vista and adding software for him.

Is there any software I can add that will let me take control of the computer when he is back at home and I am at my house?

I dont want him to be able to see the program starting up all the time because I may never need to use it and he doesnt want me to install it. However I know in a few weeks time he will be on the phone asking me to deploy Logmein IT Reach to him and I really cant be bothered. I want to set it up now so I can control it whenever I need to. I have also installed a hidden admin account to use.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

LogMeIn is about as hidden as I can think of, sorry. I guess there might be a setting somewhere to hide that little message that says 'This computer is being remotely controlled...'.

Otherwise, you could set up some sort of VPN connection to his house, and use it to connect to a Remote Desktop session using the account you set up for yourself. However, unless he's running a server version of Windows, his screen will be locked while you're connected. There's a hack available somewhere that lets you use multiple sessions (so he stays logged on), but it's a system DLL that gets modified, so it will likely be replaced from future updates.

Ok CreepinJesus, Thanks for the reply

You should look into things like VNC - you can have those running but hidden from the system tray so that you would have total access - but VNC is a bit harder to set up as you would need to either make sure you have available ports open or else set it up so it uses port 80....

I can't believe I forgot about VNC! Not as practical as Remote Desktop (especially with different sized screens), but it's pretty much the same as LogMeIn, otherwise. Except it's a direct connection, rather than through a website.

Check here: RealVNC - RealVNC remote control software