Normally, to reach a PC from WAN you need to forward ports on the router (because NAT/firewall blocks inbound traffic).
If you don’t want to configure the router, you’ll need to use alternatives that bypass port forwarding:
Methods to Access Your PC Without Router Port Forwarding
1. Use a Remote Access Service (Easiest)
- AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Chrome Remote Desktop, or RustDesk.
- These tools create an outbound connection from your PC to their server.
- Since outbound connections are allowed by default, no router setup is required.
- You connect using an ID/password or Google account instead of a public IP.
2. VPN with Cloud Relay
- Use a ZeroTier, Tailscale, or Hamachi (LogMeIn) VPN client.
- Your PC joins a virtual LAN via the cloud → you can access it directly from anywhere.
- Works without router changes.
3. Reverse SSH Tunnel (Advanced / Linux, WSL, or Git Bash on Windows)
- From your PC, open an outbound tunnel to a server with a public IP (like a VPS). Example:
ssh -R 2222:localhost:22 user@your-vps-ip - Then, from anywhere, connect to the VPS on port
2222, which forwards back into your PC. - Needs a VPS or cloud server.
4. Cloud-based Desktop (if security is main concern)
- Instead of exposing your home PC, run a cloud VM (AWS, GCP, Azure, DigitalOcean) and access it securely.
- You can sync files from home → cloud and then use the VM.
Recommendation
If you just want easy, safe remote access:
- Windows → Chrome Remote Desktop / AnyDesk
- Cross-platform → Tailscale (free, private VPN)
Both work without touching your router.
