Remote Assistance Software

Do you know that you can get remote assistance using your Windows os without having to download any additional software?

Remote assistance may sound like a very high tech phrase but it’s actually very easy to do. Here is how it works.

You have two computers. One will act as the remote machine (the one you will be controlling), and the other will be the Admin (the one operating the remote software). Both computers MUST have an active Internet connection or else the remote connection will fail. Here is how to use Windows for remote assistance.

The remote assistance software is actually built INTO your Windows Messenger. You should have Windows Messenger by default once you have installed your operating system. It should also automatically fire up the moment you launch your Outlook Express. Otherwise, you can always to your Start Menu, go to Programs, and then click on the Messenger program manually. Make sure that Windows Messenger is launched on BOTH computers.

Once Windows Messenger has been launched, go to TOOLS > ASK FOR REMOTE ASSISTANCE, and then select the user that you wish to invite.

On the Admin machine, Windows Messenger will then prompt the admin to accept the invitation. The remote machine will do nothing at this point and will wait for the admin to accept control. Once the admin clicks ACCEPT, the remote assistance session will begin.

To assume control of the remote computer, the Admin simply has to click on the Take Control button (located on the top left of the software). The remote machine has to click Accept, and then control is granted to the Admin.

Note that even though control has been granted to the Admin, control can be deactivated at any time by the remote machine. The remote user can press the ESC key or click on the Stop Control button to terminate the session. Usually, the remote user will not do this unless the Admin user is doing something on the remote machine that is making the remote user uncomfortable.

The remote user will then take control of the PC and continue with the necessary tasks – install software, fix PC problems, download and install patches etc.

Using the remote assistance software, the admin and remote user can also send and receive files.

This is the easiest way to connect to a remote PC using Remote Assistance Software. If you have problems connecting, check that your Firewall is not preventing the connections by blocking the IPs and/or ports. Port 3389 needs to be open in order for the connection to work.

You can also offer Windows Remote Assistance if you like. First, you have to configure your remote assistance.

Click on Start > Run, then gpedit.msc

Under Computer Configuration, double click Administrative Templates > System > Remote Assistance

Click on Remote Assistance and Enable it.

Next, go to Help and Support Services Center. Click on Tools > Offer Remote Assistance.

In the dialog box, either enter the remote machine’s name or IP address. An alert will prompt the remote user to accept the initiated remote session. Once he accepts, the remote session begins.