Have you ever used Remote Assistance?

Do you know "Windows Remote Assistance"? Remote Assistance is a Windows program dedicated to remote operation and chat in order to assist those who need help. It's included with all editions of Windows XP and later. Having people ask for help, for example "I can't open this page" can be time-consuming. Remote Assistance is a great tool to aid those in need of help and allows experts to continue their work uninterrupted.

Connecting to Remote Assistance is Difficult

However, Remote Assistance isn't used by many people. This is because it's hard to make a connection.

Remote Assistance cannot be found in the Start Menu

To establish Remote Assistance connection, first, both client and assistant have to launch Remote Assistance. It's difficult to find Remote Assistance in the Start Menu because it's rarely used.

In Windows7, this item is located in [Start]→[All Programs]→[Maintenance]→[Windows Remote Assistance].
In Windows8, It isn't in the Start Menu.

When you use NCSwitch, all you have to do is only double-clicking a shortcut on the desktop.

Remote Assistance has too many connection options

After you've launched Remote Assistance program, they have to select from the many connection options below:

• Windows Firewall will block Remote Assistance. Are you sure you want to unblock it?
• Do you invite someone you trust to help you? help someone who has invited you?
• Do you wish to save the invitation as a file? Use email to send the invitation? Use 'Easy Connect'?
• Please send a request mail after filling receiver email and body message.
• Please tell your assistant this password used for Remote Assistance connection. Of course, you have to know your assistant's phone number.

These options can be difficult to navigate.

NCSwitch doesn't have any options. NCSwitch only tells you a simple message; “Please call XXX-XXXX and tell this password”.

Remote Assistance cannot work without correct network settings

Assistant needs network connection to client. However, you cannot make the connection if client is trouble with incorrect network settings.

NCSwitch can restore the network settings correctly and automatically.

Remote Assistance connection might be prohibited

For security reasons, your network administrator filters TCP ports which are used by Remote Assistance, may be blocked. In case, you can’t use Remote Assistance at all.

If you have a 3G/LTE modem, you can set NCSwitch to connect the 3G/LTE network for Remote Assistance.

NCSwitch makes easy to use Remote Assistance operation

1. Preparation

Follow these steps on the client's PC to use Remote Assistance.

1. Install NCSwitch 4
2. Connect client's PC to the network used for Remote Assistance.
3. Launch NCSwitch Wizard and fill-in the Remote Assistance settings form.
4. Check your input by clicking [Send Test] button on the form.
5. Follow wizard's instructions and save the settings.

2. Client asks help via Remote Assistance

Client follows these steps:

1. Double-click the shortcut on the desktop. Remote Assistance will launch and show a generated password (in case of Win7/8).
2. Client calls assistant to tell the password. The user call his assistant to tell the password.

NCSwitch offers less steps than default Remote Desktop operations.

3. Assistants offer support via Remote Assistance

Assistants follow these steps:

1. They will receive an email sent by NCSwitch. After that, open the attachment file named "Invitation.msrcincident". Remote Assistance will be launched and will show password input form.
2. They will input the password told by their client over the phone. A Remote Assistance connection will be established if the password is correct.

Conclusion

It's vital that both user and assistant establish Remote Assistance connection smoothly. Remote Assistance experiences become more intuitive through NCSwitch.