TightVNC is a free and open-source remote desktop software server and client application for Linux and Windows. A server for macOS is available under a commercial source code license only, without SDK or binary version provided. Constantin Kaplinsky developed TightVNC, using and extending the RFB protocol of Virtual Network Computing (VNC) to allow end-users to control another computer's screen remotely.
TightVNC uses so-called "tight encoding" of areas, which improves performance over low bandwidth connection. It is effectively a combination of the JPEG and zlib compression mechanisms. It is possible to watch videos and play DirectX games through TightVNC over a broadband connection, albeit at a low frame rate.
TightVNC includes many other common features of VNC derivatives, such as file transfer capability.
TightVNC is cross-compatible with other client and server implementations of VNC; however, tight encoding is not supported by most other implementations, so it is necessary to use TightVNC at both ends to gain the full advantage of its enhancements.
What is TightVNC?
TightVNC is an open-source remote desktop program for Windows from GlavSoft LLC.. It ranks 6th by popularity among remote desktop in this catalogue. The first release dates back to 2000. It is written in C++, C, and Java. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 64-bit and 32-bit as MSI. The main installer is 2.5 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. The installer supports unattended (silent) installation. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.8.89, released on October 1, 2026. 10 versions are listed since June 28, 2021, each with links to its own installer files. That is about 1.9 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 1,262,809 times. Wikipedia has an article about it in 13 of our languages. On Windows it registers 1 file type, including .vnc. Similar programs include TigerVNC, TeamViewer and UltraVNC.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Updated in the last two months
- Small download (2.5 MB)
- Also runs on Linux
- Large user base
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: TightVNC is an open-source remote desktop tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is TightVNC safe to download?
- The file is served by tightvnc.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
DFF8D7E40A81E0B86BA1D9D5CC0D4F22D08354C50C9CBDC0825BBB6CCFB1073C· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 10 versions ›10 versions over 5 years · about 1.9 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8.89Latest | October 1, 2026 | 2.5 MB | 32-bit MSI64-bit MSI |
| 2.8.88 | June 23, 2026 | 2.5 MB | 32-bit MSI64-bit MSI |
| 2.8.87 | March 30, 2026 | 2.5 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.8.85 | August 14, 2024 | 2.5 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.8.84 | May 15, 2024 | 2.5 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.8.81 | May 4, 2023 | 2.5 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.8.79 | April 6, 2023 | 2.5 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.8.78 | March 28, 2023 | 2.5 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id GlavSoft.TightVNC -echoco install tightvnc -yscoop install extras/tightvncmsiexec /i tightvnc-2.8.89-gpl-setup-64bit.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {0942F49D-681B-404B-9AA5-AAC9FAECEF44} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- GlavSoft LLC.
- Category
- Remote desktop
- Licence
- GNU General Public License v2
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- tightvnc.com
- Written in
- C++, C, and Java
- Interface languages
- English
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Other platforms
- Linux
- Version
- 2.8.89
- Released
- October 1, 2026
- First release
- 2000
- Added to the catalogue
- June 28, 2021
- Versions listed
- 10
- Updates / year
- 1.9
- Chocolatey downloads
- 1,262,809
- Website
- tightvnc.com
- winget ID
- GlavSoft.TightVNC
- Chocolatey package
- tightvnc
- Scoop package
- extras/tightvnc
- MSI product code
- {0942F49D-681B-404B-9AA5-AAC9FAECEF44}
File types it opens (1)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is TightVNC free?
Yes. TightVNC is open-source software under the GNU General Public License v2 licence.
Is TightVNC safe to download?
The download comes from tightvnc.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install TightVNC with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can TightVNC be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does TightVNC run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit and 32-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of TightVNC?
The versions page lists all 10 versions with links to their official installer files, back to June 28, 2021.
What are alternatives to TightVNC?
TigerVNC, TeamViewer, UltraVNC, Terminals and NETworkManager. The alternatives page compares them.
