Frequently Asked Question

Windows Remote Assistance allows someone (or helper) you trust to take over your PC and provide remote technical support. It’s something similar to TeamViewer or UltraVNC. This tutorial will show you different ways to open Remote Assistance in Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7.

Method 1: Open Windows Remote Assistance from Run Command

Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time to open the Run command box, type in msra and hit Enter. This should open up Windows Remote Assistance in no time or just click the Start button and directly type “remote assistance “. The search box will show up and deliver the results. Click the option “Invite someone to connect to your PC and help you, or offer to help someone” to launch Windows Remote Assistance.

Method 2: To offer assistance without an invitation via the GUI interface, the expert should click on the Help someone who has invited you option. Then select the Advanced Connection option for help desk at the bottom of the panel.

This yields a screen requesting the novice user’s computer hostname or IP address.

If the interface is properly pre-configured, the ‘novice’ user will merely need to accept the connection from their console.

Method 3: To Allow an Invited Remote Assistance Connection


When a CTI tech opens your invitation for assistance file, you will receive a prompt to allow the connection and a separate prompt to allow the tech to "share control" of your computer.

Click “Yes” to a permission prompt such as “Would you like to allow Support/HelperName to connect to your computer?” (or "Do you want {Support/HelperName} to view your screen and chat with you?") This allows CTI Support to passively see your desktop, but not to use any Windows functions on your computer. CTI will not be able to help you use your computer unless you also share control (see next step).

Method 4: At a permission prompt such as “Would you like to allow Support/HelpName to share control of your computer?”
If your computer is running Windows Vista, 7 or 8, check beside “Allow {Support/HelperName} to respond to User Account Control prompts” and then

Click Yes.