Lab – Windows Remote Desktop and Assistance

Introduction
In this lab, you will partner with another student so you can configure a Remote Desktop connection for your
partner and invite your partner to provide assistance on your computer via a Remote Assistance connection.

Required Resources
 2 Windows computers on the same local network

Instructions
Part 1: Windows Remote Desktop
Windows Remote Desktop is a feature that allows a remote user to initiate a connection at any time and sign
on to a local machine using an authorized account. This allows the user to work as if physically connected to
the local machine. Remote Desktop can be useful for someone working from home who needs to access files
and resources on the computer at work.

Step 1: Enable Remote Desktop.

There are a number of ways to access the Remote Desktop utility. In Windows 10, you can type remote
desktop settings in the Windows search bar or right-click Start and choose Settings from the list as
demonstrated in the Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance video.
For Windows 10:
a. Click Start and search for remote desktop settings.
b. Click the Enable Remote Desktop button to the On position. You may be prompted with a message to
confirm enabling remote desktop. Click Confirm. When Remote Desktop is enabled, you will have access
to more settings related to Remote Desktop connections.
c. Scroll down to How to connect to this PC.
Question:
Record the name of this computer.
Type your answers here.
d. Click Advanced settings.
Question:
What is the current Remote Desktop Port?
Type your answers here
For Windows 7, 8.1 and 10:
You can also use the Control Panel to access the Remote Desktop settings.
a. Click Start and open the Control Panel. In the small icons view, select System. Click Remote settings.
b. For Windows 8.1 and 10, in the Remote tab, select Allow connections only from computers running
Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended).

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Lab – Windows Remote Desktop and Assistance

For Windows 7, in the Remote tab, select Allow connections only from computers running Remote
Desktop with Network Level Authentication (more secure).
Note: If you are unsuccessful with Remote Desktop connection with Windows 7 as the server, you may
need to change the Remote Desktop settings in Windows 7 to Allow connections from computers
running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure).
c. You can also use this computer’s IP address for Remote Desktop connection. Record the IP address.
Question:
What CLI command would you use to get the IP address?
Type your answers here.

Step 2: Add a user that can remotely access the computer.

In this step, you will add a user account that will be authorized to access this computer through remote
desktop.
Add a local user to your computer using your preferred method based on the Windows version. This new user
will not be associated with online Microsoft accounts. Create a username and password combination and
record it below:
Username:
Type your answers here.
Password:
Type your answers here.
For Windows 10:
a. Return to the Remote Desktop window and click Select users that can remotely access this PC under
User Accounts. This opens the Remote Desktop Users window.
b. Click the Add button and type in the name of the new user account you created in the Enter the object
names to select box then click OK.
For Windows 7, 8.1 and 10:
You can also use the Control Panel to access the Remote Desktop settings.
a. Click Start and open the Control Panel. In the small icons view, select System. Click Remote settings.
b. In the Remote tab, click Select Users.
c. Click the Add button and type in the name of the new user account you created in the Enter the object
names select box and then click OK. Your computer is now ready for Remote Desktop access.

Step 3: Connect to your partner’s computer using Remote Desktop.

In this step, you will switch computers with your partner. You will need to take turns to log into your computer
using your partner’s computer.
a. Click Start and search for Remote Desktop Connection.
b. In the Remote Desktop Connection window, enter the host name or IP address of the computer you
recorded in a previous step, and then click Connect.
c. In the Windows Security window, enter the username and password for the account created in a previous
step. If you are prompted with a certificate warning message, click Yes.
d. You will also be prompted with a message if another user is currently logged into the computer. The
message will let you know another user is signed onto the computer and the user will be disconnected, do
you want to sign in? Click Yes.

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Lab – Windows Remote Desktop and Assistance

Question:
What message is displayed on the remote computer and how much time is mentioned?
Type your answers here.
The remote desktop connection should now be established. You will have full control of your computer as
if you are physically using that machine.

Step 4: End Remote Desktop Connection

End the Remote Desktop connection by either clicking on the “x” at the top of the Remote Desktop screen or
click the Windows power button on the Remote Desktop and select Disconnect.

Part 2: Remote Assistance

Windows Remote Assistance allows a user to invite someone they trust such as a technician or a coworker to
access their computer remotely to help fix a problem. The helper can connect and join a session with the
user. This session can include an interactive desktop, so the helper can control the user’s computer. Remote
Assistance assigns a port dynamically which can make it difficult to configure through firewalls and is thus
best suited for local network support.

Step 1: Enable Remote Assistance

You and your partner will enable remote assistance and send your partner an invitation to remote assistance
sessions.
a. Navigate to the Control Panel. Select System in the Small icon view. Click Remote settings.
b. In the Remote tab, select Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
c. Click Advanced. The default amount of time invitations can be increased to is as many as 99 days or as
little as 1 minute.
Question:
What is the default amount of time remote assistance invitations remain open?
Type your answers here.
d. Click Cancel to return to the Remote tab and then click OK.
e. In Windows 8.1 and 10, navigate to the Control Panel. Search for remote assistance in the Search
Control Panel field in the upper right-hand corner of the Control Panel. Select Invite someone to
connect to your PC and help you, or offer to help someone else.
In Windows 7, click Start and search for Windows remote assistance.
f. In the Windows Remote Assistance window, select Invite someone you trust to help you.
g. Click Save this invitation as a file. Save the file in a directory of your choice. After the file is saved, a
Windows Remote Assistance popup window will open with the invitation password to give to your trusted
helper.
Question:
What are the ways to send an invitation to a trusted person with Remote Assistance?
Type your answers here.
h. Email the invitation file and password to the trusted person.

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Lab – Windows Remote Desktop and Assistance

Note: This is a single-use invitation. A new invitation and password are needed for a new remote
assistance session.

Step 2: Use remote assistance

You and your partner will take turns to be the helper.
a. Open the email containing the Remote Assistance invitation from your partner.
b. In the Remote Assistance window, enter the password that was also sent in the email to connect to the
remote computer, and click OK.
c. A pop-up Windows Remote Assistance window on your partner’s computer prompts your partner to allow
the remote connection. Click Yes to allow remote assistance.
d. Remote Assistance is now working and the partner’s desktop should appear on your computer.
Note: Unlike Remote Desktop, with Remote Assistance, both users are logged onto the same computer
at the same time and both can see the desktop.
e. Currently, you can see your partner’s computer and can observe your partner’s actions on their computer.
Control must be requested before you can perform the functions on your partner’s computer via Remote
Assistance.
On your computer, click Request Control in the top left corner of the Windows Remote Assistance
window. A pop-up window will appear on your partner’s computer asking to allow your partner to share
control of the desktop. Your partner clicks Yes.
Test control of your partner’s computer from your computer. From your computer, you should be able to
launch programs and new windows.
f. Either user can terminate the remote assistance session by closing the Windows Remote Assistance
window on the corresponding user’s computer.
g. Exchange your roles and repeat this step.

Reflection Questions
1. What type of scenarios are most appropriate for Remote Assistance in contrast with Remote Desktop?
Type your answers here.
2. How many simultaneous users can access a Windows computer at a single time?
Type your answers here.
3. What type of security components are implemented with Windows Remote Desktop?
Type your answers here.
4. How could remote desktop be used as a beneficial technology in the workplace?
Type your answers here.
End of Document

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