Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows, Second Edition

Appendix C. Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance

Windows Vista and XP have two remote access features that are worth getting to know. The first is Remote Assistance. Its purpose, as its name suggests, is to let someone connect to your computer via the Internet or a LAN to work with you on a problem or project. Both of you can see the screen, and you can trade off using the mouse and keyboard to control the computer. Likewise, you can use Remote Assistance to assist someone else. However, connections can’t be made arbitrarily—the “assistee” must invite the assistant via an encrypted message sent via email or Microsoft Messenger, and must indicate acceptance of the connection when the assistant response to the invitation. A Remote Assistance scenario ...