Configure Offer Remote Assistance

This policy setting allows you to turn on or turn off Offer (Unsolicited) Remote Assistance on this computer.

If you enable this policy setting, users on this computer can get help from their corporate technical support staff using Offer (Unsolicited) Remote Assistance.

If you disable this policy setting, users on this computer cannot get help from their corporate technical support staff using Offer (Unsolicited) Remote Assistance.

If you do not configure this policy setting, users on this computer cannot get help from their corporate technical support staff using Offer (Unsolicited) Remote Assistance.

If you enable this policy setting, you have two ways to allow helpers to provide Remote Assistance: "Allow helpers to only view the computer" or "Allow helpers to remotely control the computer." When you configure this policy setting, you also specify the list of users or user groups that are allowed to offer remote assistance.

To configure the list of helpers, click "Show." In the window that opens, you can enter the names of the helpers. Add each user or group one by one. When you enter the name of the helper user or user groups, use the following format:

\ or

\

If you enable this policy setting, you should also enable firewall exceptions to allow Remote Assistance communications. The firewall exceptions required for Offer (Unsolicited) Remote Assistance depend on the version of Windows you are running.

Windows Vista and later

Enable the Remote Assistance exception for the domain profile. The exception must contain:
Port 135:TCP
%WINDIR%\System32\msra.exe
%WINDIR%\System32\raserver.exe

Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Port 135:TCP
%WINDIR%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\Helpsvc.exe
%WINDIR%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\Helpctr.exe
%WINDIR%\System32\Sessmgr.exe

For computers running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Port 135:TCP
%WINDIR%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\Helpsvc.exe
%WINDIR%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\Helpctr.exe
Allow Remote Desktop Exception

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
Value NamefAllowUnsolicited
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

Permit remote control of this computer:


  1. Allow helpers to remotely control the computer
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
    Value NamefAllowUnsolicitedFullControl
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1
  2. Allow helpers to only view the computer
    Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    Registry PathSoftware\policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
    Value NamefAllowUnsolicitedFullControl
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value0

Helpers:

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\RAUnsolicit
Value Name{number}
Value TypeREG_SZ
Default Value

remoteassistance.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)