Connecting the Novice and the Expert with Windows Live Messenger

Another simple way to use Remote Assistance is through an instant messenger connection. The novice initiates the session by following these steps:

1. Sign in to Windows Live Messenger, and open a chat window with your prospective helper if one is not already open.
2. In the chat window, click Activities, and then click Request Remote Assistance. Your request appears as part of the conversation.
3. After the expert has accepted your request (by pressing Alt+C or clicking Accept in the chat window), a password appears on your screen. Convey that password to your helper. If you have any doubt at all that the person at the other end of the instant messaging connection is who he or she appears to be, call the expert and provide the password by phone or send it by e-mail.
4. After the expert has correctly entered the password, a confirmation prompt appears on your screen. Check the e-mail address in the prompt to be certain that you're chatting with who you think you are-after all, this person will be able to see and (with your additional consent) operate your computer-and then click Yes.

After the Remote Assistance connection has been established, you no longer need the instant messenger session; you can close that window if you want to. You can resume your online discussion in the Remote Assistance chat pane.

Using an Invitation File to Request Assistance

If the expert and novice don't use the same instant messaging system, the novice can create an invitation file. The invitation file can be transferred to the expert via e-mail, a shared folder on the network or internet, or even on physical media, such as a USB flash drive. Follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Remote Assistance.
2. In the Windows Remote Assistance window, click Invite Someone You Trust To Help You.
3. Click Invite Someone To Help You.
4. Click Save This Invitation As A File, and then specify a file location.
5. Windows Remote Assistance presents a 12-character password. Convey the invitation file to your helper by whatever means you favor, and then give that person the password-preferably in person or by phone. (If you include the password along with the invitation file, anyone who intercepts the message can pose as the expert and connect to your computer.)
6. After the expert has launched the invitation file and entered the password, a confirmation prompt appears on your screen. Confirm.

CAUTION! Don't make your invitation lifespan longer than necessary. Although there are several protections in place to prevent its misuse, a Remote Assistance file is an invitation to connect to your computer. It's best to keep the window of opportunity as small as possible. Note that when you close the Windows Remote Assistance window on the novice's computer, you effectively cancel the invitation, regardless of the time.

Change the invitation duration

By default, a Remote Assistance invitation expires six hours after it's created. For the best security, reduce the expiration time if the expert can respond quickly to your request. Conversely, you might need to create a longer lasting invitation if you don't expect your chosen expert to be available during that time. To modify the duration of invitation files you create, follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel, Click System And Security, and then click System.
2. In the Tasks list, click Remote Settings (requires administrator privileges).
3. On the Remote tab, click Advanced to display the dialog box shown. Specify the amount of time that you want invitation files to remain valid.