How to Use Windows Remote Assistance in Windows 7, 8 and 8.1

   Information

Windows Remote Assistance is "a feature of Windows XP and later that allows a user to temporarily view or control a remote Windows computer over a network or the Internet to resolve issues without directly touching the unit" (Wikipedia). Based on RDP it uses Peer Name Resolution Protocol and a native Windows feature Easy Connect to allow a direct connection between two computers over LAN or Internet.

Easy Connect requires that both computers (the one asking for assistance and the one offering it) use the same Windows version, and that routers on both ends support the Peer Name Resolution Protocol. In cross version assistance (7 to 8 or vice versa) or in any other Easy Connect issue the user asking for assistance can alternatively send a so called invitation file to the user offering assitance. The latter can then simply launch Remote Assistance using the invitation file and connect to other computer.

   Tip

For various issues with Easy Connect, see this Microsoft article:

Why can't I use Easy Connect with Windows Remote Assistance?

   Note

The Remote Assistance must be enabled in order to get help using Remote Assistance. It is enabled by default. To check whether enabled or disabled, go to Control Panel > System and select Remote Settings on the left pane.

Notice that settings for Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop are two different things. Remote Desktop connections can for instance be disabled and denied at the same time than Remote Assistance connections are allowed. For help in using Remote Desktop, see this tutorial.

The Remote Assistance works on every edition of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1.

PART ONE

Request Remote Assistance

1.1 Windows 7

1. On your Windows 7 PC, open Control Panel > Troubleshooting:
   
2. Click Get help from a friend on the left pane:
   
3. Select Invite someone to help you:
   
4. Select the method you'd like to use in requesting assistance:
   
   • I recommend saving the invitation file and emailing it to the user who will be offering the assistance. Easy Connect would be the fastest and easiest method but according to my own quite extensive experience it does not always work. Read more: Why can't I use Easy Connect with Windows Remote Assistance?
   
   
5. If you selected saving the invitation file, save and name it as you wish (do not change the long file extension!), attach it to an email and send to user assisting you:
   
6. Your PC will now show the password the user assisting you needs in order to connect to your PC. The same message will appear on your screen without the file save steps if you selected Easy Connect. Email it to the person assisting you, together with the Invitation file if you selected that option:
   
7. Do not close this window! It is waiting for the incoming connection. IF closed, you need to initiate a new session

   Note

You can also create a shortcut for requesting assistance as told in this tutorial: Windows Remote Assistance Shortcut - Create

1.2 Windows 8

1. On your Windows 8 PC, press WIN + W to open Search for Settings. Type Remote Assistance to Search field, select Invite someone to connect... :
   
2. Select Invite someone you trust to help you:
   
3. Follow steps 4 to 7 as told above on 1.1 Windows 7

1.3 Windows 8.1

1. On your Windows 8.1 PC, press WIN + Q to open Search. Select Search Settings from the drop down menu, type Remote Assistance to Search field, select Invite someone to connect... :
   
2. Select Invite someone you trust to help you:
   
3. Follow steps 4 to 7 as told above on 1.1 Windows 7

PART TWO

Accept Invitation and offer Remote Assistance

2.1 Windows 7

1. Open the Remote Assistance dialog as told above in Part One 1.1 Windows 7 steps 1 and 2
2. Select Offer Remote Assistance to help someone:
   
3. Select the Remote Assistance method to be used:
   
4. If you have received an invitation file, select Use an invitation file, browse to it and open it, or if you will be using Easy Connect select Use Easy Connect. In both cases Remote Assistance will now ask for the password. Type the password you received from the user asking your assistance and click OK:
   
5. Notice that the passwords are for one session only and cannot be used later; when the connection is closed the password is no longer valid. The password is valid for this one time connection for 6 hours after it is created, if no assisting connection is made during this time the process must be restarted as the password is no longer valid

2.2 Windows 8 and 8.1

1. Start Remote Assistance as told above in steps 1 and 2 in Part One 1.2 Windows 8 respective Part One 1.3 Windows 8.1
2. Follow steps 3 to 5 as told above in Part Two 2.1 Windows 7

PART THREE

Remote Assistance session flow

1. After the assisting user has entered the password, the assisted user must accept the incoming connection:
   
2. At this point the assisted user still has the full control of the assisted PC. Assisting PC can see everything but has no control, mouse and keyboard as well as UAC prompts are controlled by the assisted user himself. This is a good alternative when the assisted computer is only used to show something to the assisting user without his / her input
3. Assisting computer can request a partial (mouse and keyboard only, no UAC acceptance rights) or full control. To do this the assisting user needs to click Request Control at top left corner of the Remote Assistance window:
   
4. The assisted user must accept the request and decide if the control is granted with or without the UAC prompt acceptance rights:
   

That's it. Remote Assistance is a practical way to get help. Keep in your mind that RA is not a suitable Remote Desktop Connection alternative. Files and clipboard can for instance not be shared using RA.

A Remote Assistance window showing my wife's desktop on my Windows 8.1 PC, me offering help for her. Windows 7 and 8 views look the same:

Kari

Related Tutorials

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• How to Enable or Disable Remote Assistance Connections in Windows
• How to Create a "Windows Remote Assistance" Shortcut in Windows 7 and 8