Article by George Norman

On 14 Sep 2009

So you got the latest and best Windows version so far, Windows 7. You installed it on your machine and you were satisfied with it until you ran into a problem that you could not solve on your own. What do you do now? You could check out a handy online tutorial, you could ask one of your computer savvy friends to come over, or you could invite that friend to troubleshoot your Windows 7 powered machine via Remote Assistance.

Just as a little reminder for the computer user out there not up-to-date with the IT lingo, Remote Assistance refers to a feature that allows a system admin for example to remotely connect to a Windows-powered computer. This way a problem can be diagnosed and addressed off location, the system admin never has to personally visit the affected computer. The Remote Assistance feature is available in Windows XP and upwards.


Here is what you have to do to invite someone to help troubleshoot Windows 7 via Remote Assistance:

Step 1. Press the start button on your keyboard, the one with the Microsoft logo on it, or press Start icon from the bottom left hand corner of the screen.

Step 2. In the Search dialog box type in troubleshooting -> press Enter -> in the Control Panel view that should be brought up, click Get Help From a Friend.

Step 3. Click Invite someone to help you.

Step 4. Assuming the person you want to invite is also using the Windows 7 operating system, you should click Use Easy Connect. This is the simplest, easiest way as the invitee only needs to get a password and he’s connected with you.

Alternatively you could use the other two options:
Save this invitation as a file
You can send this invitation as an attachment if you use web-based e-mail
Use e-mail to send an invitation
If you use a compatible e-mail program this will start the e-mail program and attach the invitation file

Step 5. After you click Use Easy Connect the Windows Remote Assistance window will pop up; there you can see a password. You must give the invitee that password so that he can connect to your computer.

Step 6. The invitee has to access Remote Assistance and click the Offer Remote Assistance to help someone link. Then he must download the invitation attachment -> double click it -> launch Remote Assistance.

Step 7. The invitee must provide the password from step 5. Once he does so, he has access to the troubled computer.

Tips and warnings
You might want to check out this related tutorial: How To Turn On Remote Desktop in Vista



Tags: Microsoft, Windows 7, Remote Desktop

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