Have you ever been asked to provide remote tech help, but couldn’t understand what the problem was without seeing it? Perhaps you want to ask for remote help but aren’t sure how to explain what the problem is in detail. In either case, it would be very helpful for the person providing tech assistance to be able to see the other person’s screen. Many apps can be downloaded for this purpose, but if you are using Windows 10 (1607 or later) or Windows 11, you may already have a built-in app!
Enter Quick Assist
Quick Assist is an app for Windows users that allows someone with permission to temporarily connect to (and optionally control) a remote computer. To see if Quick Assist is already on your computer, type “Quick Assist” in your search bar. It should appear in the results with a blue icon that reads “App.” If it’s not already on your computer, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
How It Works
When the app is on both computers, using it couldn’t be simpler. One caveat – the person providing support must have a Microsoft account (office 365, Microsoft 365, or an Outlook/Hotmail email).
- The person providing help opens the app and clicks “Help someone” button.
- A security code pops up on the screen.
- The person being helped opens Quick Assist and puts the code in the “Get help” section of the app.
- The person providing help can now see the remote computer until the session has ended. Optionally, the person receiving help can give the helper permission to control their computer in addition to viewing.
Tell Me More!
To read more about this app, or to watch a video about it, check out this article by Tech-Talk. If you’re new to Tech-Talk, read all about it in our Tech-Talk introduction article.
