Remote desktop connections have many uses, whether it's for professional purposes or helping someone out. You've probably had to help a friend or family member over the internet at some point, and there's a very good chance you downloaded TeamViewer or AnyDesk to do it.

What you might not know is that you really didn't need to do that. Windows 11 comes with a built-in remote access tool, no complicated setup required. And I don't mean the typical Remote Desktop app that requires a Pro edition; I'm talking about Quick Assist, and if you haven't noticed it before, you really should, because there's no reason to add more bloat to your machine.

Easy to set up

It's right there

Quick Assist is a modern app that comes preinstalled on every edition of Windows 11, and right out of the gate, that gives it a big advantage over other solutions. If you're helping someone with their computer that they can't figure out themselves, asking them to install another app may just be adding more stress to the situation, especially when apps like TeamViewer start asking for online accounts.

You can find Quick Assist in the list of installed apps, and while the person providing support also needs a Microsoft account, the person getting it doesn't. Plus, a Microsoft account is almost required to use Windows 11 in the first place, so it's not like you have to go out of your way to create.

All you need to do is open the app and provide the support code to the person in need, while those asking for help just need to enter it in order to start sharing their screens.

It's safe

Share at your own pace

Quick Assist's primary features involve sharing your screen with someone else and letting them take control of your computer. That can be scary if you're getting help from someone you met online or if you're just suspicious of anything happening over the internet. Thankfully, Quick Assist is gradual with how it gives permissions to the assistant.

When you first start the Quick Assist session, the user asking for help is warned about the potential risks of sharing their screen with a stranger, and when they begin sharing their screen, the assistant still can't interact with it directly. They can only give instructions on what the user needs to do, so they remain in control and don't have to do anything that seems dangerous or suspicious. This is also a good middle-ground for people who genuinely want to learn the steps they need to follow, rather than just have someone fix things for them each time.

If you find yourself unable to follow the instructions, you then have the option to hand over control of the computer to your assistant. You can still terminate the session at any time if you feel unsafe though.

Some helpful features

There's a bit more to it

On top of sharing your screen and handing over control of your computer, Quick Assist actually has some helpful features that make it that much easier to get assistance without having to relinquish control. The assistant has a few tools at their disposal, starting with a laser pointer to help guide the other user towards where they need to click. It's also possible to draw on the other person's screen for more detailed instructions. Annotations are only visible during the session, of course, and don't actually affect the desktop.

Additionally, the two users can also exchange text messages. It's not possible to send files over the built-in chat, but you can send links to downloads that may be necessary to fix a certain problem and make things a bit easier. It's great to have these extra steps that can be taken to get help while reducing the risk that comes with handing over control to someone you may not know or not want snooping around your computer.

It's not a remote desktop replacement, though

An assistance tool first and foremost

As useful as Quick Assist is, it's obviously not meant to compete with the likes of Microsoft's own Remote Desktop solution, or the professional versions of TeamViewer and other similar apps. Those tools have options for unatteneded access and saving multiple machines on your account so you can access them at any time, and there's a reason why those capabilities often cost extra. They're mostly used by IT admins or enthusiasts who are willing to pay for that kind of feature.

Quick Assist is exactly what it advertises: an assistance tool for the times when you might need some help, or provide assistance to someone. And for those use cases, Quick Assist totally removes the need for any third-party tools, as long as both users are running Windows (which is very likely). Just launch the app from the Start menu and you're off to the races. If you haven't checked it out yet, now is a good time to get familiar.