Using the MAWi Portable Agent for Screen Sharing

Using the MAWi Portable Agent for Screen Sharing

Using the MAWi Portable Agent for Screen Sharing


Overview

The MAWi Portable Agent & the Share Screen feature allows you to share a Windows PC screen through MAWi without installing the full MAWi Agent on that PC.

This is helpful when you need to present content from a temporary workstation, laptop, operator station, or guest PC, and display it on one or more screens managed by MAWi.

In addition to displaying the shared screen on MAWi screens, the shared screen can also be viewed from any browser using a web link.
This allows users, operators, supervisors, or remote viewers to monitor or view the shared screen without installing any software.







When to use this feature

Use Portable Agent + Share Screen when you want to:

  • Share a PC screen temporarily to one or more MAWi screens

  • Present content from a laptop, operator workstation, or guest PC

  • Show a live dashboard, browser, software window, or control-room view

  • Avoid installing the full MAWi Agent on the source PC

  • Allow occasional users to share their screen through MAWi

  • Let users view the shared screen from any browser

  • Provide remote access to a live screen view without requiring a dedicated MAWi endpoint


Main benefits

The Portable Agent provides a simple and flexible way to share a PC screen through MAWi:

  • No full installation required on the source PC

  • Easy to run on temporary or guest computers

  • Allows live screen sharing to MAWi-managed displays

  • Allows viewing the shared screen from any browser

  • Useful for remote monitoring, supervision, and temporary presentations

  • Keeps the source PC separate from the permanent MAWi screen setup

  • Reduces the need for additional software installation on viewer devices


How it works


The Portable Agent runs on the Windows PC that you want to share from.

Once launched, it connects to the MAWi Server and makes that PC available as a screen-sharing source. From the MAWi system, you can then use the Share Screen feature to display that PC’s screen on selected MAWi screens.

The same shared screen can also be viewed through a browser. This means that a user can open a browser link from another PC, laptop, tablet, or compatible device and view the shared screen directly, without installing the MAWi Agent.

The Portable Agent does not replace the regular MAWi Agent for permanent screen endpoints. It is designed for temporary, on-demand, or browser-based screen sharing.


Requirements


Before using this feature, make sure that:

  • MAWi Server is running and accessible over the network

  • The target screens are already connected and managed by MAWi

  • The source PC can communicate with the MAWi Server

  • The Portable Agent file is available on the source PC

  • Network/firewall settings allow communication between the Portable Agent and the MAWi Server

  • Browser viewers can access the MAWi Server or the shared-screen URL

  • The source PC remains awake during the sharing session


Step 1 - Download the Portable Agent


From the MAWi dashboard, go to Admin Panel.

Open Manage System.

Click Download Agent.

A ZIP file containing the Portable Agent will be downloaded to your computer.


Step 2 - Extract and run the Portable Agent

On the PC you want to share from, locate the downloaded ZIP file.

Extract the ZIP file to a folder on your computer.

Open the extracted folder and run the executable file.

The Portable Agent application will now open.


Step 3 - Log in as a portable device


In the Portable Agent window, click Log in as a portable device.

A 4-character connection code will appear.

Keep this code visible. You will need it in MAWi to connect this PC as a portable device.



Step 4 - Connect the portable device to MAWi


Go back to the MAWi dashboard.

Open Manage System.

Select Connect a new device.

Type in the 4-character code shown in the Portable Agent window.

Confirm the connection.

The Portable Agent PC should now appear in the list of devices.

Once you confirm that the new device is listed, go back to the Main Dashboard.



Step 5 - Start Share Screen


In the Main Dashboard, locate the thumbnail of the portable device you just connected.

Right-click the device thumbnail.

Select Share Screen.

The Share Screen settings window will open.



Step 6 - Configure the sharing settings


In the Share Screen window, set the link to Public.

Then configure the required settings:

  • Refresh rate
  • Resolution

Choose the settings according to your network performance and viewing requirements.

Higher resolution and faster refresh rate can provide a better viewing experience, but may require more network bandwidth.



Step 7 - Project the shared screen to MAWi screens


To display the shared screen on MAWi-managed screens, click Select screens to project on.

Choose the screen or screens where you want to display the shared screen.

The selected screens will now show the live screen from the Portable Agent PC.



Step 8 - View the shared screen from a browser

You can also view the shared screen from any browser.

Copy the generated browser link.

Open the link from another PC, laptop, tablet, or browser-enabled device.

The live shared screen will appear in the browser window, as long as the device has access to the MAWi Server or shared-screen address.



Step 9 - Stop sharing


When you are finished, return to the Share Screen window and stop the sharing session.

You can also close the Portable Agent on the source PC when it is no longer needed.

Once sharing is stopped, the screen will no longer be available on MAWi screens or through the browser link.



For best results:

  • Use a wired network connection when possible

  • Make sure the source PC is not overloaded

  • Keep the source PC awake during the sharing session

  • Avoid changing display resolution while sharing

  • Use the same network segment where possible

  • Confirm that Windows Firewall is not blocking the Portable Agent

  • Use an updated browser when viewing the shared screen remotely

  • Limit access to the browser viewing link to authorized users only


Important notes

The Portable Agent is intended for temporary screen-sharing scenarios. For permanent screen endpoints, use the regular MAWi Agent or MAWi Player setup.

If the Portable Agent PC is disconnected, powered off, or goes into sleep mode, the screen-sharing session may stop.

The quality and responsiveness of the shared screen may depend on the network connection, source PC performance, screen resolution, browser performance, and the number of viewers or target screens receiving the shared content.

When using browser viewing, make sure that only authorized users can access the viewing link, especially when sharing sensitive dashboards, control-room views, internal systems, or confidential business information.


Troubleshooting

The Portable Agent does not appear in MAWi

Check the following:

  • The Portable Agent is running on the source PC

  • The source PC and MAWi Server are on the same network or can reach each other

  • Windows Firewall is not blocking the Portable Agent

  • The correct MAWi Server address was entered

  • The MAWi Server service is running


The shared screen does not open in the browser

Check the following:

  • The sharing session is active

  • The browser device can reach the MAWi Server

  • The browser viewing link is correct

  • The browser is updated

  • Firewall or network rules are not blocking access

  • The Portable Agent is still running on the source PC


The shared screen is delayed or not smooth

Possible causes:

  • Weak Wi-Fi connection

  • High screen resolution on the source PC

  • Heavy CPU usage on the source PC

  • Network congestion

  • Too many screens or browser viewers receiving the shared stream


Recommended actions:

  • Use a wired network connection

  • Lower the source PC display resolution

  • Close unnecessary applications

  • Reduce the number of target screens or browser viewers

  • Check network performance between the source PC, MAWi Server, and viewing devices


Sharing stops unexpectedly

Check whether:

  • The source PC entered sleep mode

  • The Portable Agent was closed

  • The network connection was interrupted

  • The MAWi Server connection was lost

  • The Windows user session was locked or changed

To avoid this, configure the source PC power settings so it does not sleep during screen sharing.



Best practice example

A control room operator needs to temporarily show their workstation screen on a video wall and allow a supervisor to view the same screen from another office.

Instead of installing a full MAWi Agent on the operator PC, they run the Portable Agent, connect it to MAWi, and start a Share Screen session. The operator’s live screen is displayed on the selected video wall screens.

At the same time, the supervisor opens the browser viewing link and monitors the shared screen from their own computer, without installing any additional software.

When the session is complete, the operator stops sharing and closes the Portable Agent.



Summary

Portable Agent + Share Screen gives MAWi users a simple way to share a Windows PC screen without installing the full MAWi Agent. The shared screen can be displayed on MAWi-managed screens and also viewed from any browser, making it ideal for temporary presentations, control-room workflows, guest laptops, live dashboards, remote supervision, and on-demand screen sharing.