When you first learn about ‘Remote Desktop‘ and ‘Remote Assistance‘, you might easily make it out that both services are the same. They allow you to remotely control a PC from any where, let it be on your local network or even over the Internet. Although there are some important differences that we need to check between these two services.

1] Remote Assistance uses Windows XP/2003 Terminal Services to share desktop and other resources between two PCs.

Terminal Services - It is a way of using RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), which allows users to connect to their Windows XP desktop or a dedicated server (Terminal Server) combining with VPN (Virtual Private Network) with the help of which users can connect to their office network remotely and work with their applications.

Virtual Private Network – Creates a secure connection between private networks.

In a *Remote Assistance Session* -

Both users must be present at their respective PCs and must agree to establish a connection.

Remote Assistance is designed for peer-to-peer use by Windows users.

In which a Novice (asking for help) from a Expert (technician, or friend, or helpdesk, or vendor). To have a successful Remote Assistance both users must have active Internet connections or be on the same local area network, and neither of them should be blocked by firewalls.

2] The Remote Desktop service is available as part of Windows XP Professional Edition. This service allows you to take control of the remote computer without requesting for access.

To do this you need to have administrator login details of the machine on which you will be doing Remote Desktop. Once logged in you will have complete control of the Remote computer.

To enable Remote Desktop or Remote Assistance services:

Right-click on My Computer and choose Properties. Click on the Remote tab >> Check both Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop >> Apply >> Ok