Windows Tools, Help & Guides

If you’re having PC troubles and you have a friend that’s good with computers. You may want to call upon them to help you with your issue. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make a request using Remote Assistance, which is built in to Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

Please note: As someone who knows a little about computers, I am often asked to help others. I love helping others, but sometimes I simply don’t have time. Please respect the time of those who help you as you would respect a friend who is a car mechanic, when you need help with your car.

If you’re the person giving the help, direct the person here so they’ll know what to do. Here’s a shortlink for the page: http://tinyurl.com/yezwv5w

This guide is split into two parts:

• How to send a request if you’re using Vista/7.
• How to send a request if you’re using XP.

Seek Remote Assistance [Windows Vista or 7]

To create a remote assistance request:

1. Ensure remote assistance is enabled by clicking the Start button, right clicking Computer and clicking Properties.

2. In the left-hand panel, click Remote settings.

3. Under the Remote tab, ensure Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer is checked. Click OK.

4. Click the Start button, type remo and click Windows Remote Assistance.

5. Click Invite someone you trust to help you.

6. Click Save this invitation as a file (this may not be the quickest method but it comes with the least chance for errors.)

7. Save the file to your desktop.

8. Email the file to your friend and call them to give them the password (most secure.)

Your friend can now open the invite, type the password, and work on your PC to get it working again.

Seek Remote Assistance [Windows XP]

If you’re using Windows XP, do the following to get remote assistance from a friend:

1. Ensure remote assitance is enabled by clicking the Start button, right clicking Computer and clicking Properties.

2. Under the Remote tab, ensure Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer is checked. Click OK.

3. Click the Start button, click All Program, and click Remote Assistance.

4. Click Invite someone to help you.

5. Click Save invitation as a file (Advanced.) This may not be the quickest method but it comes with the least chance for errors.

6. Give the invitation a name and set the expiration to 1 Hour. Click Continue.

7. Set a password for your friend to use to access your PC (use a different password than you use for email, Windows etc.) This password is temporary so use something memorable like “pleasefixmypc”.

8. Save the file to your desktop.

Your friend can now open the invite, type the password, and work on your PC to get it working again.

What if this Doesn’t Work?

Your internet service provider (ISP), router, PC firewall etc. may block remote assistance and you’ll get a connection error. If this is the case, try Team Viewer instead.

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