What Is TeamViewer?
TeamViewer is a secure and trusted software program that makes it possible to easily provide remote computer support and training.
Cost
TeamViewer is free for occasional users and to those receiving remote support.
Technical support professionals who use it to deliver support services will pay about $1,500 for the software, and then $500 a year thereafter if they want the newest version with more features.
Using TeamViewer for Setup or Maintenance
During the initial setup of computers, or periodic maintenance, it’s useful to enable the setting that allows TeamViewer to run each time the computer is turned on. That way, working on the computer remotely, it’s possible to install updates and perform the necessary restart of the computer without losing a connection. For those who want ongoing regularly scheduled maintenance and checkups for their computer, it’s useful to leave it running. Or, it’s possible to turn it on in preparation for regularly scheduled remote maintenance.
In some cases, a technician will help a customer with the setup of their office computer (for example), and then the customer will continue using TeamViewer to access their office computer from home. In such cases, TeamViewer could be left on and running automatically. However, it’s good to periodically update the software at home and work.
Disabling TeamViewer When Unused
When TeamViewer is no longer being used regularly, it’s a good idea to disable it from starting automatically. As with any other program, it takes up memory while running. At some point, the program becomes outdated, so there’s no reason to keep the old version anyway. Also, given that it’s a program for remote access, having it off when not needed is an extra measure of security. The rest of this document provides instructions on how to disable or remove it. The examples shown below are using screen images from version 10 of the software.
How to Disable TeamViewer for Windows
Follow these instructions to disable TeamViewer from loading when Windows starts:
- On your computer, click on the TeamViewer icon visible in the system tray as shown in the example below. It’s the icon on the left.
- When the TeamViewer window opens, from the Extras menu, choose Options and you should see a window like the one below. You’ll see a checkmark next to “Start TeamViewer with Windows” as shown in the example below. Remove that checkmark and click the OK button. Click the image below for a larger view.
- Optional. If you don’t see the option to disable TeamViewer from running at startup, then simply remove the program. Since TeamViewer is free for non-commercial use, you can remove the software until you need it again. Go to Control Panel and under Programs (or Programs and Features) choose to uninstall TeamViewer.
How to Disable TeamViewer for Apple Mac
Apple computer users can disable TeamViewer from running at startup by following these instructions.
- Click on the TeamViewer icon in your Dock as shown in the example below to the right of the Finder icon. Or, you can find TeamViewer in your Applications folder and click on it there.
- From the TeamViewer menu, choose Preferences. Under the General settings, you’ll see an option to “Start TeamViewer with System.” Remove the checkmark as shown below and then click the Apply button. You can now quit the TeamViewer program. Click the image below for a larger view.
- Restart your computer to verify that the TeamViewer software isn’t running automatically.
TeamViewer Mac – Removal
- To remove TeamViewer, turn off the “Start TeamViewer with System” feature shows above.
- Download and install CleanMyMac.
- Use the Application Removal utility in CleanMyMac to perform a complete removal of TeamViewer. This is necessary for just about any program on Apple computers since there’s not a removal option for most programs.
Note: If you already tried to remove TeamViewer previously by dragging it to the trash, reinstall the latest version and then follow the three steps above to remove it completely.
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