The Quick Assistance application will allow us to request or provide assistance over the Internet with other known people. We can say that it is a tool similar to other more popular programs such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk. Although Windows also has an application called “Remote Desktop”, the Quick Assistance tool is characterized by being especially easy to use. That is why it is especially aimed at users who are less computer savvy so that they can easily request support and help.
Quick Assistance and Remote Desktop: Differences
Both tools will allow us remote connections between two computers. Although they are two similar services, their uses vary depending on the type of user we are. While “Remote Desktop” is aimed at IT professionals, Quick Assistance is aimed at users with little IT knowledge who need help remotely.
By using Remote Assistance, we can share control of our computer with another person who can help us solve any problems, allowing them to open files or enter data using the keyboard and mouse. Using this application both the host user and the remote user can see and interact on the same screen.
On the other hand, if we use the Remote Desktop application, the host’s screen will be blocked when the session begins, and it can only be managed from the remote connection. That is why it is often used to help users be more productive. For example, to be able to connect to our work computer from a different location and thus have access to all its content.
Quick assistance to obtain and offer help remotely
As we have mentioned, the Quick Assistance application will allow two people to share equipment remotely, in a similar way to programs such as TeamViewer or AnyDek, but without the need to download any type of software or additional elements. Among its features we can highlight its compatibility with touch interfaces and the ability to write on the screen by way of annotations. In this way, it will be easier for us to communicate with another person. In addition, it is designed especially for those users who have little computer knowledge.
Before starting, we must know that both the computer of the person who needs help and the computer of the person who is going to help have Windows 10 installed. In addition, the one that is going to offer the assistance must be connected with an ID account from Microsoft. Once these details have been taken into account, we can start using them.
If we want to get help through the Quick Assistance application, the first thing we have to do is run it. To do this we must write quick assistance in the Windows 10 search box and select it.
Provide assistance
If we want to offer help through this application, we must go to the “Provide assistance” section and click on the Help another person button. Next, we must log in with our Microsoft account.
Once we have logged in with our Microsoft account, the application will show us a 6-digit security code. We must share this code with the person we want to help. For this, it offers us three ways to deliver this information, either by copying it to the Clipboard and then pasting it through a messaging application such as WhatsApp or Telegram or by sending it by email.
Of course, we must bear in mind that the security code has expiration time. Therefore, if the person who needs help has not used it before the time runs out, it will be deactivated and we will have to perform the operation again.
Get support in just a few steps
In the event that we are the ones who need help, we must go to the option “Get assistance”. Here we must enter the 6-digit security code that the other person will have provided and click on «Share screen». Once this is done, the person who is going to be in charge of offering us help will have to choose a sharing option. On the one hand, you can choose whether to take control completely, which will allow you to manage our computer remotely or View screen. In this way you can see everything that happens on our computer screen, but without having complete control over it.
Once the person who is going to help us has chosen the option, the person who is going to receive that help will need to give their consent. Therefore, a screen will appear that says «Share your screen». Here we will see how you inform us of the person you want see the screen or take control of our computer. To confirm this, we must click on the “Allow” button and the connection will be established quickly between both computers.
In the event that the person offering help has chosen to view the screen, a series of tools will be available, such as the possibility of making annotations with the mouse cursor to draw directly on both screens. In addition, you have access to the Task Manager that will allow you to perform various management and maintenance tasks.
Use AnyDek as an alternative
This program will allow us to access our desktop remotely from any computer, without configurations or complications. The connection is made quickly and securely using the protocols TLS 1.2 and RSA 2048. The program offers a high frame rate since it reaches 60 FPS and an efficient use of the network, as well as low latency. This program is paid and has a cost of 9.99 euros per month. But if we want to try it, we can download its free trial version of 14 days from this link.
We will download a file that hardly weighs 3 MB and it’s portable so it does not require any type of installation. Once we execute it, its main menu appears with an interface in Spanish, easy to understand and suitable for any type of user. We will see that it shows us an identifier number, which is what we must offer to the person who is going to connect to our computer remotely.
The person to whom we pass the code must write it down in the “Other job” section and then click on the “Connect” button. In this way and automatically the connection between both devices will take place. Once the person who is going to connect to our equipment establishes the connection, a notice will appear on our screen informing us that another person is going to access our equipment. To do this, we will have to accept the connection or, otherwise, the connection will not be established.
In the event that we want another person to connect to our computer, but at that moment we are not in front of the screen, it is possible set a password to access. To do this, we must access the “Configuration” section and then click on “Security”. Here, in the section “Non-face access”, we mark the box “Allow unsupervised access”. This will allow us to create a password to pass it on to the other person, so that they can access without the need for us to be in front of the screen.
