How to disable Windows 10's Remote Assistance feature

How-to
By Mauro Huculak
last updated

If you don't usually need remote assistance, you should consider disabling the feature on Windows 10. Here's how to do it.

Windows 10 disable Remote Assistance
Windows 10 disable Remote Assistance (Image credit: Windows Central)

On Windows 10, Remote Assistance is a feature that has been around for a long time, and it's designed to allow someone you know and trust to access your device remotely through the internet.

Usually, it's a handy tool to let technical support, family members, or friends access your desktop to help you troubleshoot and resolve a problem, set up a program, or modify system settings without the person having to be physically at the location.

However, it's a feature that comes enabled by default on Windows 10, and if you don't use it or you need to comply with the security policies in your organization, we recommend disabling it to make your device a little more secure.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to disable the Remote Assistance feature to prevent your device from being more vulnerable to potential remote attacks.

How to disable Remote Assistance on Windows 10

To disable Remote Assistance on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on System and Security.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "System" section, click the Allow remote access option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Remote tab.
  2. Under the "Remote Assistance" section, clear the Allow Remote Assistance connection to this computer option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Click the OK button.

Once you complete these steps, the remote connection feature will no longer run on your computer.

If you ever need help resolving an issue on your device, you can enable Remote Assistance again using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to check the Allow Remote Assistance connection to this computer option.

Closing firewall ports

In addition to disabling the feature, you should also close the service's firewall ports with these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on System and Security.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "Windows Defender Firewall" section, click the Allow an app through Windows Firewall option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Change settings button.
  2. Clear the Remote Assistance option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the OK button.

After you complete these steps, the ports in the firewall that allow the service to run will close to prevent potential security breaches.

You can also always use the same instructions to revert the changes, but on step No. 5, make sure to check the Remote Assistance option and select in which type of networks ("Private" and/or "Public") you want to allow the service to run.

This guide is focused on Windows 10, but these steps should also work on Windows 8 and Windows 7.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.