Using Remote Assistance via e-mail on Windows 7

This section explains initiating Remote Assistance via e-mail to a Helpdesk. Home users can also follow this procedure to send a Remote Assistance request via e-mail.

In this scenario, novice user Joe has a new computer running Windows 7 Professional. A dialog box appears informing Joe that he must contact an administrator in order to install antivirus software on his computer.

Instead of calling the Helpdesk, Joe decides to use Remote Assistance. Here’s the steps he needs to take:

1. Open Remote Assistance by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Remote Assistance, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Remote Assistance.
2. Click Invite someone you trust to help you.
3. Click Use e‑mail to send an invitation.
4. Follow the instructions.

Joe will now see a windows which contains a “connection password” and a new email message (in his email client such as Outlook) which is written out with the subject “You have received a Remote Assistance invitation” and a file attached called “Invitation.msrcincident”.

Joe sends the “connection password” and the invitation to the Helpdesk.

The Helpdesk can now remotely connect to Joe’s computer. When the Remote Assistance screen opens showing Joe’s desktop. With Joe’s consent, Helpdesk can now control Joe’s computer to diagnose his problem of not being able to install antivirus software.