How to Use Quick Assist in Windows 11
Take control of anyone’s computer and help them with Quick Assist in Windows 11.
Sakshi Garg
It’s easy to help someone fix things on their computer when they’re sitting next to you. You just take control of their PC and show them how it’s done. But when someone calls you asking for help over the phone, things become complicated, to say the least.
It’s an endless series – you tell them to click something that’s right there, and they say the option is mysteriously absent. Then, after excruciating pointing and guiding, they finally find it. And then, you repeat it for the next option. It would be so much easier if you could just do it for them. With Quick Assist in Windows, you can!
What is Quick Assist in Windows 11
Quick Assist has been present since Windows 10 in the Windows ecosystem. The tool lets a user take complete remote control of another user’s Windows 10 or 11 PC. By establishing a remote connection, it allows one user to help the other with their troubles. Although it’s awfully similar to the Windows Remote Assistance tool offered in earlier versions of the OS, it’s not exactly the same.
Quick Assist is a step forward from the previous tool. Some of the upgrades include the ability to use the keyboard layout of the helper and a pause button for the help session.
Whether you want to help someone out or you’re the one seeking it, it’s incredibly easy to use the tool in Windows 11. Let’s get right to it.
Using Quick Assist in Windows 11
You don’t have to install or set up Quick Assist in Windows 11. It’s all ready to use. But Microsoft has moved Quick Assist to a new location in Windows 11 so it can be difficult to find it in the Start menu. The best place to open Quick Assist is from the Search option.
Whether you’re the one helping out or receiving the help, you’ll need to open Quick Assist first. Click the ‘Search’ option from the taskbar.
Then, type the words Quick Assist in the search bar and click the first option in the search results.
If you can’t use the search option for some reason, open the Start menu and go to ‘All Apps’.
You won’t find any app named Quick Assist in this list and that’s why it gets complicated. Instead, go to ‘Windows Tools’ from this list.
Windows Tools will open in Control Panel. Click ‘Quick Assist’ to open the app. As you can see, using the Search option is the best and quickest route.
Using Quick Assist to Help Someone
Once you open the app, click ‘Assist another person’ under Give Assistance to help someone out.
Now, to use Microsoft Assist, you need a Microsoft Account. There’s no way around that. Sign in to your Microsoft account by entering your email ID and password on the next screen. You can also sign in with a GitHub or organization account. Then, select whether you want to stay signed in. On a personal computer, you can choose to stay signed in.
A security code will appear on your screen which you need to share with the person you intend to help. You can copy the code to your clipboard and send it to them through any means. If you click on ‘Provide Instructions’, Quick Assist will provide a brief set of instructions that you can send to the other person so they can do the things they need to on their end.
Until they enter the code, there’s nothing for you to do but wait. The code will expire in 10 minutes, though. So, before you start connecting Quick Assist, ask the other person to stay ready.
Once they enter the code, it’ll take a moment to establish the connection.
Then, as the helper, you get to decide whether you only want to view their screen or take full control. Click the radio button next to your preferred option.
Say you choose ‘Take Full Control’. The receiver will then get a permission request for sharing their screen. When they click ‘Allow’, it’ll take a few minutes to establish everything. And then, you’d have full control of their system.
The remote assist toolbar will appear on the top of your screen with options to conduct the session. In addition to having full control of the cursor, the toolbar presents options such as selecting a monitor, annotation, viewing full screen, opening the task manager, restarting or pausing the session, and ending it.
Once you’ve helped them with their problem, you can end the session.
Using Quick Assist to Get Help
If you’re going to use Quick Assist to get help from someone, you should trust the other person before giving them control of your computer. There are far too many people out there who use this opportunity to trick others by sometimes showing false reports of viruses. Yes, that’s possible with a simple command prompt command.
Before you give someone control of your machine, remember to shut down any non-essential applications as well as hide away any private information you don’t want to be breached.
Open Quick Assist on your computer. The helper must have shared a security code with you. Enter the code in the textbox under ‘Get Assistance’. Then, click the option ‘Share Screen’.
Once you do that, the helper will choose whether they only want to view your screen or take full control of your machine. It’ll be entirely up to their discretion and there’s nothing you can do about it, except deny their request.
Once they make their choice, a permission prompt will appear on your screen. Whether they choose to view your screen to take full control, the permission request will show you what they have requested. Verify that the person helping you is indeed the person you expected since they need to log in with their account to help you. Click ‘Allow’ to grant them their request.
If you think you’re being scammed, there will be a link to report the scam. Click that link and click ‘cancel’ to end the session right there.
Once you click ‘Allow’, it’ll take a few seconds for the connection to establish.
Quick Assist makes it extremely easy to establish remote connections between Windows 10 or 11 devices. And especially for the person seeking help, the steps needed to perform are minimal. So, anyone, even your grandfather, can easily do it to seek any help they might need. Once the remote connection is established, the experience is still seamless.
How to Use Windows 10 Quick Assist without Microsoft Account
How can I run Windows 10 Quick Assist without Microsoft account? Here in this post, we will offer you a step-by-step tutorial to do this job. If you don’t want to perform Quick Assist with Microsoft account, please keep reading!
By Hester / Last Updated March 2, 2023
Can I use Quick Assist without Microsoft account? Yes!
I was curious if it could provide or get remote assistance using Windows 10 Quick Assist without Microsoft account. If so, what are the procedures for using Quick Assist to avoid logging into a Microsoft account? If not, is it still feasible to log in with an existing Hot Mail account or Outlook web-mail account credentials? Thanks for any input on this.”
You can use Quick Assist without Microsoft account!
Quick Assist is a built-in remote assistance tool for Windows 10, 11. It allows users to view or control another computer remotely. Users who give remote support can log in to Quick Assist with Email, phone, or Skype. Users who get assistance via Quick Assist do not require login.
How to use Windows 10 Quick Assist without Microsoft account [step-by-step]
If you don’t want to use Quick Assist with a Microsoft account, you can still log in to it with a phone number or mail account. Here is how to run Windows 10 without a Microsoft account.
Step 1. Search Quick Assist from the start menu and open it.
Step 2. On the client side who offers assistance, click Assist another person.
Step 3. Sign in with your existing email, phone number, or Skype, and click Next.
Step 4. When you successfully log in, you will see a security code (valid for 10 minutes). Please send it to your partner to receive remote assistance.
Step 5. On the remote computer, start Quick Assist, input the security code, and click Share screen.
Step 6. Choose a sharing option based on your demands and click Continue.
Step 7. When you receive the request, ensure the other side is trusted and click Allow.
Now you can manage the remote device remotely.
AnyViewer: An easier way to perform remote access without Microsoft account
An easier way to achieve remote access without Microsoft credentials is by using the professional remote desktop software AnyViewer.
AnyViewer is easy to set up. Users can conveniently establish a remote session with the same AnyViewer account or partner ID. Besides, AnyViewer offers more advanced features than Quick Assist offers:
Unattended remote access: Users can access an unattended computer without configuring the request. File transfer: Users can transfer files between devices in flexible ways. Built-in chat: Users can exchange messages instantly in a remote session.
Download AnyViewer on your devices, and let’s see how to remote control a device via it.
Method 1. One-click control with the same account
You can easily start a remote session using the one-click control feature.
Step 1. Start AnyViewer on the host computer, and click Sign up to register a new account.
Step 2. Enter your information and click Sign up.
Step 3. Start AnyViewer on the client computer and log in to the same account. The device will automatically assign to the account when you successfully log in.
Step 4. Go to Device, click the computer you want to connect to, and click One-click control.
How To Install Microsoft Quick Assist On Windows 11 [Tutorial]
You can take control of the computer like you were physically using it. There are several shortcut options in the toolbar. For example, chat, transfer files, resize the screen, etc.
Method 2. Remote access with the partner ID
If you don’t want to share your account with others, you can start controlling using the partner ID.
Step 1. Sign up for an AnyViewer account on the client computer and sign in.
Step 3. Choose the way to control the remote computer. You can Input the security code if no one on the remote side configures the request.
Bonus tip: AnyViewer released a mobile version for iOS and Android devices. You can access Windows from a phone or tablet.
Final words
This post introduces how to use Windows 10 Quick Assist without Microsoft account. You can log in to Quick Assist with a mail account or phone number. We also recommend you try AnyViewer to achieve remote access more efficiently.
Free Remote Desktop Software
- Unattended Remote Access
- File Transfer between PCs
- Multiple Monitor Supported
- Support Latest Windows 11
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Quick Assist is moved to Microsoft Store – old app out of support (May 2022)
[German]As of today, May 16, 2022, the remote support Quick Assist for Windows 10 and Windows 11 is only available in the Microsoft Store. The previous Windows 32 application for Quick Assist, which was available as a standalone application, has fallen out of support. Seems to frustrate some Windows administrators, because the whole thing is probably only half-baked implemented.
Quick Assist, a short review
Quick Assist is the English-language name for the remote support included in Windows and in Intune. Microsoft has published the article Solve PC problems over a remote connection on the subject. The Windows Quick Assist app (Remote Assistance) lets people get or provide PC support over a remote connection.
On April 22, 2022, I had already written about this application and issues in the blog post Quick Assist: Intune certificate expired and TLS problems in Windows. But now there is a new development that may not be met with joy – because Quick Assist is only available via Windows Store as of today.
Quick Assist only via Store
The April 27, 2022 announcement Remote assistance with Quick Assist is changing is changing by Russell Mosier and Bianca Taylor on the Office Insider blog pretty much passed me by. But it’s important for administrators.
There, one learns that the Quick Assist app currently integrated in Windows 10/11 has reached the end of its support. Those who want to receive or provide remote support for Windows systems will need the new Quick Assist app from the Microsoft Store in the future (requires Windows 10 build 17763.0, so Windows 10 LTSC versions like 1607 are not supported). The colleagues from Bleeping Computer write that the new app will be available in the Store from May 16, 2022 (this Microsoft support post says, that the new Quick Assist version was released on April 28, 2022). A post by a Microsoft employee states, that the old app will no longer be usable after mid-May 2022 (I’ve also seen May 23, 2022 as the deadline in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев).
Administrators are frustrated
The announcement of the change in strategy at Quick Assist can also be found in the Techcommunity post Remote assistance with Quick Assist is changing. Microsoft employee Nathan Pfeifer tries to sell the change under the heading “exciting news”. This does not go down well with users or administrators. On May 2, one user writes:
How is this exciting news? This is a big problem for our company. The version of Quick Assist that came natively installed with Windows 10 was great because we could instantly provide assistance to anyone with Windows 10, regardless of whether it was their home computer or their work (domain-attached) computer. We could simply have them launch Quick assist and then give them a six-digit support code (Very simple).
Then he goes on to point out that not only does the Store app need to be installed per user from the Microsoft Store, but the installation also requires local administrator privileges. This is not a lone voice, more administrators from companies are coming forward who do not think this change in strategy is a good and well thought out idea. Users have to browse the Microsoft Store and install an app when they need remote support – that is hardly feasible for many users.
Nathan Pfeifer from Microsoft is still trying to convince the administrators that the Quick Assist app can be distributed offline in companies and that the app can be obtained via the Microsoft Store for Business. In 2021 I had the article Windows Store for Business dies in Q1 2023, and that’s exactly what other commenters mentioned in the Techcommunity.
Another administrator points out to the Microsoft employee that in certain cases, deploying an offline version is not a viable option. This administrator prefers to deploy via an endpoint manager (Intune) and his preferred method is to deploy the online version via the corporate portal. He also points out that end users are not local administrators and he doesn’t want them to be. This is because deploying offline versions causes problems when updating an application, as their detection rules are often no longer applicable. The administrator then receives error messages when trying to redeploy an older version.
Another administrator puts it sarcastically, “Quick Assist was introduced as built-in remote support with Windows 10, so you could easily give users support (a key combination (WinCtrlQ) to start it is enough). Just before Windows 11 reaches 25% adoption, this feature disappears from the OS again and has to be reinstalled via app.
He sees that people then resort to third-party solutions. None of this is really well thought out. Anyway, it looks to me like the administrators are frustrated there and Microsoft’s approach isn’t working. How is this solved in your companies? Is the issue well known and already addressed, or has it not been on the radar so far – or are third-party solutions being used?
This entry was posted in Software, Windows and tagged Software, Windows 10, Windows 11. Bookmark the permalink.
Quick Assist User Guide | Free Remote Support Tool for Windows
In this post, you will get an overview of the Quick Assist user guide. Quick Assist is the free remote support tool for Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use Quick Assist to get remote support or remote assistance to resolve technical issues with Windows 11 devices.
Microsoft added Quick Assist application into Microsoft Store. You can install Quick Assist from Microsoft Store. There are other methods to install Quick Assist on Windows 11 PCs as well. All the Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices come with the Quick Assist application.
The system administrator (or helper) can authenticate when they sign in using a Microsoft Account (MSA) or Azure AD account. The GitHub personal account is also an option to sign in. Local AD account authentication is not supported at this time with Quick Assist.
The high-level architecture diagram (connection flow) of Quick Assist client and Cloud service components is illustrated in Microsoft’s schema below. The same architecture is used for Intune remote help support scenario.
How to Download Install Quick Assist from Microsoft Store
Let’s see how to Download and Install Quick Assist from the Microsoft Store in this section of the post. You have to log in with your personal Microsoft account (hotmail.com or outlook.com) to the Microsoft store to download this application.
- Click on the Start Menu from Windows 11 PC.
- From the start menu, click on Microsoft Store.
Once the Microsoft Store is opened, you can search for the Quick Assist application using the following steps.
- Enter the Quick Assist into the Search box on Microsoft Store.
- From the list available applications, select Quick Assist application as shown in the below screenshot.
Now you got the Quick Assist application in Microsoft Store; you can install this app on Windows 11 PC. Let’s follow the steps explained below to install the Quick Assist application.
- Click on the Get button to start the installation of the Quick Assist application.
I have received an error while installing the Quick Assist application from Microsoft Store. The error was “Something Happened on Our End – Try again Later.”
Somehow, the Get button on the Microsoft Store is changed to the Install button for the Quick Assist application. Click on the Install button to continue.
The Quick Assist application is getting Downloaded and Installed on Windows 11 PC. Let’s wait for the installation to be complete.
The Quick Assist application is ready to use. You can click on the Open button to launch the application. Otherwise, you can Start Menu – All Applications and select Quick Assist shortcut from there.
Quick Assist Application | Free Remote Support Tool for Windows
Learn how to Use Quick Assist Application free remote support tool for Windows. As mentioned above, Quick Assist helps two people to share a computer over a remote connection and resolve technical issues or problems on another person’s computer.
Windows 10 | How to use Quick Assist
You will get two options when you launch Quick Assist from Start Menu. Those options are Get Assistance (end-user) and GIve Assistance (IT admin or System Administrator).
Quick Assist Get Assistance (end-user) means allowing someone you trust to assist you by taking control of your computer. You have to enter the 6-digit security code that was provided to you by the person who is taking the remote control of your Windows 11 computer.
Quick Assist Give Assistance (IT Admin or System Administrator) options give us an opportunity to help a person by taking their computer’s remote control to solve the problem.
How to Take Remote Control using Quick Assist
Let’s check how to Take Remote Control using Quick Assist Give Assistance Option. Launch the Quick Assist application using Start Menu – Search option. Launch Quick Assist as shown in the below screenshot.
Let’s start taking the remote control of another person’s computer using Quick Assist. Click on Assist Another Person button from the Give Assistance section of this app.
You need to sign in with a Microsoft account (hotmail.com or outlook.com). If you don’t have a Microsoft account, there is an option (link called Create One) below to create a new Microsoft account.
There are other options to sign in to Quick Assist using your work or school account and GitHub account. Click on the Next button to complete the sign-in process.
Now, depending on your Microsoft account setup, you might need to enter the password. If you have enabled password-less authentication like me, you will get the following screen to authenticate using the Microsoft Authenticator app.
NOTE! – Click on YES when the Stay Signed in page pops up.
Now, the Quick Assist app will connect back to the Cloud service and populate the secure code for you. The person you are helping needs a security code to let you connect to their device.
Security Code: 043917Code Expires in 10:05
NOTE! – There are other options in the below screen such as Copy to clipboard, Provide instructions, and Cancel and start over.
Quick Assist User Guide – Free Remote Support Tool for Windows
Quick Assist User Guide provides the details on launching a remote support app and sharing the screen with the system Administrator.
You need to give the security code to the person you’re helping and tell them to follow these steps. Open the Start menu go to Windows Accessories – Quick Assist, or type Quick Assist in the search bar and select the Quick Assist app to launch it.
- Accept the privacy policy, if prompted.
- Enter the Security code provided by remote support adminstrator.
- Click Share screen.
Verify that the person trying to help you (system administrator) is who you expected and accept the request.
The following screenshot shows the End-User experience while waiting for System Administrator’s instructions to take control.
The System Admin should select either of the options to continue with Quick Assist support.
- Take Full Control – Take Full Control of the Remote Computer.
- View Screen – View the remote screen without having full control.
Now, the system administrator is waiting for the end-user to share the screen.
We need your permission to continue the screen as shown below will be presented to the end-user. It normally takes a few seconds before it gets connected to System Administrator after clicking on Allow button.
NOTE! – Anoop C N. will be able to see your files and control your computer. Please shutdown any non-essential applications and remove any private data you do not want them to see before clicking Allow.
System Administrator Experience with Quick Assist
Let’s check the System Administrator Experience with Quick Assist free remote assistance tool for Windows 11 on the following screen. All menu options are explained in detail.
NOTE! – It’s useful to see the information that the user mode as Administrator.
Select Different Monitors Option with Quick Assist
Let’s see how to select different monitors if the end-user has multiple monitors. The Quick Assist app has a Select Monitor ribbon menu option.
You can select any of the following options from Quick Assist to select any monitors from the list effectively.
Annotate options with Quick Assist
Annotation options on Quick Assist are illustrated in the below screenshot. The following screen is from the admin side, where the system admin is helping the remote users with screen annotations to navigate through and resolve the issues.
You can select the Annotate option from the Quick Assist menu, as shown below.
Remote System Administrator’s Quick Assist application view (Annotations).
The following screenshot gives you an understanding of the end-user view when the system admin is helping them to solve the issue via Quick Assist Annotations.
Toggle Instruction to End Users using Quick Assist
Quick Assist also gives an option to Toggle Instruction to End Users. This is nothing but quick messages or some commands that System Admin wants the end-user to execute. Click on the fourth option (as shown below) from the menu item called Toggle Instruction Channel.
Enter the message or instruction you want to send to the end-user and Click on the Send button.
The end-user experience is shown below, where the person gets an option to COPY the instruction and send a reply back with the results if required.
Launch Task Manager from Quick Assist Menu
Using the Quick Assist toggle menu, you can launch the Task Manager on the remote computer (Windows 10 or Windows 11). To get the details of each menu item on Quick Assist, you need to click on 3 dots (horizontal).
Additional options are available within the same menu, as you can see below.
- Reconnect to Remote computer.
- Pause or Resume the remote control.
- Disconnect the remote control.
Anoop C N. will be able to see your files and control your computer. Please shut down any non-essential applications and remove any private data you do not want them to see before clicking Allow.
Troubleshoot Repair Reset to Fix Quick Assist Issues
Let’s understand Troubleshoot Repair Reset options to Fix Quick Assist Issues. Quick Assist is one of the Inbox applications that comes with Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems as an out of box experience.
You can repair or reset the Quick Assist app from the Settings menu. You can follow the steps mentioned below to complete the repair or reset.
- Click on Start Menu – Click on All Apps option.
- Scroll Down until you see Quick Assist application.
- Right-Click on the Quick Assist and Select App Settings.
From the app settings page for Quick Assist, you can perform various troubleshooting activities. I normally recommend performing troubleshooting in the following order.
- Terminate Quick Assist App – This immediately terminates this app and it’s related processes.
- Repair Quick Assist App – If this app is not working as expected, you can try to Repair it. The Quick Assist app data won’t get removed.
- Reset Quick Assist App – If this app is still not working even after Repair, you can reset the app using this option. All the app data will be deleted.
- Uninstall Quick Assist – Uninstall or Remove the app and it’s settings. You can reinstall app from Microsoft Store.
Author
Anoop C Nair is Microsoft MVP! He is a Device Management Admin with more than 20 years of experience (calculation done in 2021) in IT. He is Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group HTMD Community leader. His main FOCUS is on Device Management technologies like SCCM 2012, Current Branch, and Intune. He writes about ConfigMgr, Windows 11, Windows 10, Azure AD, Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, AVD, etc.
