FAQ

For frequently asked questions on getting started and using Mikogo, take a look at our FAQs below:

1. What is Mikogo?

Designed for ease of use with an intuitive interface, Mikogo is a free desktop sharing tool with a range of features that can be employed for many uses, including:

• Online meetings
• Screen sharing
• Product and sales demonstrations
• Web conferencing
• Online presentations
• Remote support
• Online teaching

2. How do I get started?

Getting started with Mikogo is so easy that you’ll be a master within minutes. Follow these four steps to begin:

Step 1: Sign up for an account on the Register page. This will create your account and send a confirmation email to your provided email address. Be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder.
Step 2: Download and install the Mikogo organizer software on your computer: Click here if you are a Windows PC user or click here if you are a Mac user. Further information about downloading the software available on the Download page. Once installed, the Mikogo icon will appear in your system tray (if you’re using a Windows PC) or it will appear in the menu bar (if you’re a Mac user).
Step 3: Click on the icon and select “Start Session”. This will open the Mikogo Settings window that asks for your username (email address) and password. The password was automatically made for you and supplied in the confirmation email. Enter your details and click OK to receive your session ID.
Step 4: Notify your friends of the session ID, and enjoy the Mikogo experience!

3. I’ve downloaded the software. How do I start a session?

For PC users: click on the icon in the system tray next to your computer’s clock and select “Start Session”.
For Mac users: click on the icon in your menu bar and select “Start Session”.



Regardless of whether you are using a PC or Mac computer, the “Settings” window will then appear after clicking on “Start Session”. Enter your user details and click OK. Your session will instantly start and a “Session Information” window will appear containing the unique session ID. Your participants can then go to http://www.mikogo.com, click on “Join Session” and enter the session ID to enter your Mikogo session.

4. I forgot my password. How can I reset my password?

Please enter the email address you used to subscribe for Mikogo on the Reset Password page. We will send you an email with instructions on how to reset your password. After you request a new password, please be sure to go to your email inbox and click on the included link.

5. When I start a session I get an “Authentication Failed” message

In this case, your user details have been incorrectly entered. Try re-entering all details in the settings.

Solution: Click on the icon in your system tray (PC users) or menu bar (Mac users) and then click on “Settings”. Now delete the data in the username and password fields. Re-enter you username (which is your email address), password, and name, and then click on OK.
The session will then start and the “Session Info” window will appear containing your current 9-digit session ID.

Be careful if you just copy and paste your password from the email you received, as you may accidentally copy spaces on either side of the password.

6. I try to start a session, but I keep being asked for a nine digit code

It sounds like you have downloaded Mikogo.exe for Windows computers by clicking on “Join Session” from the Mikogo homepage.

This is used to join sessions, NOT start sessions. To start and organize sessions on a PC, you will need to download the Mikogo program from the download page of the Mikogo website.

Save the Mikogo-Starter.exe file. Once you have downloaded it, double click on it and open it. A quick installation will take place, which will give you an icon in your system tray next to your computer’s clock which you click on to start sessions.
Click on the icon, select “Start Session”, enter your user details, click OK, and the session will start providing you with a 9-digit session ID.
Your participants can then go to www.mikogo.com click on “Join Session”, enter this ID, and then they will be able to view your screen.
To see a video on this process, please check out the organizer video on getting started, available on the Support pages.

7. The M icon is hidden. What can I do?

Windows XP often tries to hide icons. If you are operating with Windows XP, you can make sure the icon stays visible by doing the following:
Step 1: Click Start > All Programs > Mikogo > Mikogo to make sure it is running.
Step 2: Then right-click a blank spot on the Windows Taskbar and select “Properties”. The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box opens.
Step 3: Within the Taskbar tab, click the “Customize…” button in the bottom-right corner, which will open the Customize Notifications window.
Step 4: Click on the line with the icon to highlight it and then within the “Behavior” column you may adjust the settings by opening the drop-down menu. Select “Always show” and click OK.

8. How do I use the remote control feature?

To access remote keyboard and mouse control, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Start a free remote support session and invite your guests.
Step 2: Click on the icon in your system tray (PC users) or menu bar (Mac users) and select “Remote Control”
Step 3: Click on the name of the person you want to give remote control to.

If you would like to gain remote control of a participant’s computer, you can do so by predefining the “Initial Viewing Direction” settings. To do so, click on the icon in your system tray (PC users), then Settings, then Start Options.

9. Can people see my screen while I’m not using Mikogo?

No. In order for someone to see your screen, you must first manually start a Mikogo free online meeting. Then any person who attempts to join your session, and consequently see you screen, can only do so by entering the unique session ID, which changes with each new session.
Please do not forget to end your session, when you’re done.

10. How do we provide Mikogo for free?

As you know, Mikogo is a free tool. It is free for both commercial and private use. There are no surprises, such as spyware or adware. And it is free to start sessions and free for participants to join sessions. Consequently, several people have asked:
“How does Mikogo give away this software for free? What is the catch?”
The short answer: there is no catch.
The long answer: Mikogo is provided by BeamYourScreen the renowned provider of Web collaboration solutions. BeamYourScreens product range includes software solutions for online meetings, Web presentations, and remote support.
We provide Mikogo as an easy to use free tool, and by doing so hope to receive a lot of feedback on Mikogo, so that we can take this user experience and apply it to the BeamYourScreen tools to provide even greater service for our customers.
Further details available here: Why it’s free

11. Is there a time limit or restriction on the number of sessions I can organize?

No. You can organize and join as many sessions with Mikogo as you wish. And there is no time limit, so you can share your screen with your participants in a free online meeting for as long as you please.

Please note: When you start a session you will receive the “Session Information” window containing the unique 9-digit session ID. At the bottom of the window it states: “0:15:00 (time left for first participant to join)”. This means that you need your first participant to join within 15 minutes before the Session ID expires. Once at least one participant has joined the session, you can keep the session running for as long as you wish.

12. Can I set a custom and pre-defined session ID?

This is available in the Windows version of Mikogo. You can select your own session ID before you start a session by clicking on the icon and selecting “Settings”. Tick “Use the following session ID” under the “Start Options” tab. Then you will be free to key in any 9-digit session ID you want.
Please note that if someone else has already requested your ID of choice, then you will have to select another ID or use the randomly assigned unique session ID.