• Remote assistance auto accept for Windows XP

    by  • 2008/07/27 • Fact, How-to, XP • 7 Comments

    I use remote assistance on a almost daily basis at my work. It is a built in tool in Windows that allows me to remotely control a users computer without kicking them off of the machine (like remote desktop does). One thing it did not do was let me take control if the user was not at their desk. The user must click two windows when going remote with them. First they must click to allow you to share their screen, and second they must click a button to allow you to take control. I have searched and found a few VB scripts that allow me to go remote without needing the user to click accept but today I just ran across something even more useful. The ability to go remote without the user there and without needing to use a special tool. Only problem is I have to edit a file on their local machine. I may play around with this some more in the future but for now I thought I would share it with everyone just so others can enjoy this ability.

    First the file you need to edit is found on the computer you are trying to take control of at C:windowspchealthHelpCtrSystemRemote @ssistancehelpeeaccept.htm. Open the file with notepad, or better yet Notepad++, and edit the following lines.

    btnAccept.disabled = false;
    btnDecline.disabled = false;
    btnDecline.focus();

    to this

    btnAccept.disabled = false;
    btnDecline.disabled = false;
    btnDecline.focus();
    DoAccept();

    Next, open the TakeControlMsgs.htm and find the following lines:

    idExpert1.innerText = vArgs[0];
    idExpert2.innerText = vArgs[0];
    idExpert3.innerText = vArgs[0];

    Then just add these two lines right after

    // Added to allow take remote control of PC
    onClickHandler(0)

    That’s it! now the next time you go remote with that machine it will auto accept for you to view the screen and also auto accept when you click “Take control”.
    Because remote assistance is different in Vista this doesn’t work however. If anyone knows of a way to use remote assistance in Vista without user interaction please let me know in the comments.

    About

    Avid learner with a passion for technology and people. He is always trying new things or taking something apart to make it better.

    http://1n73r.net

    • Mookie

      After editing these files is there a way just by clicking on a person’s name in MSN Messenger to start the remote assistance process on the remote computer or am I missing a step?

      Cheers

    • http://rothgar.1n73r.net/ Rothgar

      I am not familiar with using MSN to provide remote assistance but I am pretty sure it simply calls the internet explorer shortcut that provides remote assistance. You should be able to edit the files on a test machine and then sign the computer into MSN messenger and then just take control from another computer without problems. I will have to test this feature to see if it works.

    • http://eunos.weebly.com Eunos

      This is great! I really need to get into my office computer without the need for me to be there to accept myself into the PC. I’ve added DoAccept(); and onClickHandler(0) lines but it doesn’t seem to work. I’m using a wake on LAN to get my computer cranking on the other side before getting in. Is there some issues when I’m using it this way?

      • http://1n73r.net Rothgar

        You would probably be better off using LogMeIn or some other web based remote software. Or if you are on the same LAN you can check out RealVNC or Remote Desktop. Remote assistance will only work if a user is logged into the computer too.

    • sam

      werkt het ook op vista
      “It also works on Vista”

    • sam

      lol sorry, ddnt read the top of this page xD

    • Billybutler85

      can you please make a youtube video showing how to do this? i have spent the last 2 hours trying to find, open, and edit: C:windowspchealthHelpCtrSystemRemote @ssistancehelpeeaccept.htm using notepad and trying to find it on my c drive. i have a windows 7 computer so it should be on here right?