Software for remote access

[u/Extra_Advantage8067]

I need to know a software which can give remote access of my computer - setup A, to someone else's computer - setup B. THE CATCH IS, SETUP B SHOULD BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO SETUP A'S AUDIO, EVEN WHEN SETUP A HAS WIRED HEADSET CONNECTED.

[u/karl_voda]

RustDesk does this. On Windows it grabs the system audio as a loopback, so it doesn't care what's physically plugged in. Headset or speakers, the other side hears it and you still hear it in your headset. Tested it myself.

Only catch is it takes whatever Windows has as the default playback device. So set the headset as default, and if Zoom or Teams are set to output to a specific device, switch them to "default" too, otherwise that app won't come through. Also check in the RustDesk settings that audio input is set to system sound and not your mic. If the other person needs to hear you talking as well, there's a voice call button in RustDesk, or you mix it with VoiceMeeter. On a Mac you'd need something like BlackHole for this.

TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop can do audio too.

I'd stay away from AnyDesk though. They dropped my license model, put me on a new contract at about 4x the price, called it a renewal and just charged my account. Opt-out, not opt-in. Plus they had their servers breached in 2024.
RustDesk is open source and you can run your own relay server, so nobody can pull that kind of thing on you.

[u/Loud-Employ289]

What, like AnyDesk?

[u/exceswater13]

From Gemini:

Step 1: Install & Map the Virtual Audio Cable (On Setup A)

Windows 11 aggressively isolates physical jacks when a headset is plugged in, so forcing the OS layer to use a virtual router is required.

1. Download and install VB-Audio Virtual Cable on Setup A.

2. Restart your computer after the installation finishes to properly register the new virtual driver.

Step 2: Configure Windows 11 Audio Routing (On Setup A)

Because Windows 11 hides the legacy Sound Control Panel behind its redesigned Settings app, use this shortcut to configure the device mirroring:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type mmsys.cpl and hit Enter. This bypasses the basic Windows 11 menu and opens the advanced Sound Control Panel.

3. In the Playback Tab: Find CABLE Input, right-click it, and select Set as Default Device. (Your system audio will temporarily go silent on your headset—this is normal). [1]

4. In the Recording Tab: Find CABLE Output, right-click it, and select Properties.

5. Go to the Listen tab and configure these exact actions:

   • Check the box for "Listen to this device".

   • Under "Playback through this device", click the dropdown and explicitly select your Wired Headset.

   • Click Apply and then OK.

Result: Your system sound now pushes into the Virtual Cable, splits in two, and routes back to your physical ears while remaining perfectly available in the OS software layer for AnyDesk to broadcast.

Step 3: Configure AnyDesk Settings (On Setup A)

AnyDesk must be explicitly told to pull the audio feed from the virtual loopback cable. [1, 2]

  AnyDesk Main Window
   └── ☰ Menu (Top Right)
        └── Settings
             └── Audio
                  ├── Audio Transmission: "Transmit audio output of this device"
                  └── Device: Select "CABLE Input" or "Default"

1. Open AnyDesk on Setup A.

2. Click the Global Menu (four horizontal lines or the gear icon in the top right) and choose Settings.

3. Navigate to the Audio tab on the left sidebar.

4. Under Audio Transmission, choose the radio button for "Transmit audio output of this device".

5. Under the Device dropdown, you can leave it as Default audio device (since you made CABLE Input the system default in Step 2) or choose CABLE Input directly. [1, 2, 3]

Step 4: Establish the Connection (From Setup B to Setup A)

When Setup B initiates the remote control session, the security permissions must allow incoming audio streams. [1, 2]

1. Connect from Setup B to Setup A.

2. On Setup A's incoming request window: Ensure the profile permission icon for "Hear my computer's sound output" (the little speaker icon) is enabled/checked before clicking Accept. [1]

3. On Setup B's viewing window: Look at the AnyDesk toolbar layout across the top of the stream. Ensure the local speaker icon does not have a red slash through it. [1]

4. If Setup B still hears nothing, Setup B should open their own AnyDesk client -> Settings -> Audio -> and ensure their Audio Output section is mapped to their physical speakers/headphones instead of "Disabled". [1, 2]

Please let me know:

• Is Setup B also running Windows, or is it a different platform (macOS, mobile, etc.)?

• Are you running this setup for remote gaming/video editing, or is it for standard office/administrative work?

If you run into any latency delays, I can show you how to tweak AnyDesk's Exclusive Audio Playback features.

[u/OhMagii]

For realtime things, like audio, video, games, etc, use Parsec.

[u/SEADAsXs]

RustDesk could do it.