Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Working in a Remote Assistance Session

After a Remote Assistance connection has been established, a Windows Remote Assistance window opens on the expert's machine.

The novice's desktop appears on the expert's computer in a window topped with a toolbar containing Remote Assistance controls.

As the expert, you'll use the toolbar at the top of the Windows Remote Assistance screen to take control of the remote desktop, open a chat window, send a file, or disconnect when the session is complete.

On the novice's toolbar, the Stop Sharing button becomes active if the expert asserts control; as its name suggests, it lets the novice suspend control sharing. The Pause button makes the novice's screen temporarily invisible to the expert-until the novice clicks Continue.

Sharing Control of the Novice's Computer

For obvious security reasons, clicking Request Control sends a request to the novice, who must grant permission before the expert can actually begin working with the remote desktop. While the expert has control, the novice's computer responds to input from the keyboard and mouse of both the expert and the novice. At any time, the novice can cut off the expert's ability to control the session by tapping the Esc key; alternatively, either party can return exclusive control to the novice by clicking Stop Sharing.

Regardless of his or her expert credentials, the expert's actions in a Windows Remote Assistance session are governed by the privileges assigned to the novice user's account. When connecting to a machine belonging to a user with a standard user account, for instance, you might be unable to edit the registry or make necessary configuration changes unless you can supply the password for an administrator account on the novice's computer.

Terminating a Remote Assistance Session

Either party can terminate a Windows Remote Assistance connection at any time. The novice does this by clicking the Cancel button on his or her Windows Remote Assistance toolbar. The expert does it by clicking the Close button on the Windows Remote Assistance window.