Resolved Remote Desktop Connection

How difficult is it to do this?

I want to use Windows 7 to connect to Windows 8, but the Windows 8 user is not very technical minded. Their computer is running outdated software from about 3 months ago, and I need to access their machine, remotely, to see if I can update Windows, Java, Flash, and a few other applications.

If this is too much to handle on my end then I will abort and let the Windows 8 user find a local helper.

For what it's worth, back in August I updated the machine (laptop), and I remember setting Windows to update itself automatically, but Secunia is saying that some programs will have to be updated manually - which sound like a Windows / Microsoft issue to me (8.1?). Is Windows 8.1 a very user intensive update?

 

James read this. I hope this what you are looking for. Under the heading 1. Before You Begin scroll down to You can keep working while the update is installing. Update to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8

 

I use this for fixing problems on my Brother's laptop running W7.
I connect with Vista and/or W8.1.
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
He usually rings me when he has a problem and when I connect, he gives me the 4 digit code to apply for that session. Neil.

 

retiredlearner It looks like a simple straight forward remote tool. Thank you. I keep getting free trial offers from LogMeIn.

 

Thanks for link, Neil.

I haven't gone over the info much, but do you have to configure your router to make this work, and does the other party need to install the same software too?

 

I'm just not sure if installing 8.1 remotely is a good idea. Sounds like it could take hours to install, and if my connection is terminated (unlikely, but is has happened before) I'm sure the user would be lost as to what to do next.

Is Windows 8.1 listed as a critical security update?

 

James, both users need to Download Time Viewer and you follow the screen messages. The Remote user is given a 4 Digit Code to supply by email or Phone to the Prime Operator and you should be able to Update software for the Remote user.
I've used this many times with my brother's comp and Downloaded and installed Software on his comp, then operated it remotely so that he knows how to use it.
I would imagine you can go into Windows Update and install the Updates you choose.
You should be able to identify W8.1 Update as it will be the largest in MB's and install that last.
The problem is continuity of Internet connection - power outages etc.
I would deem to suggest that if the W8.1 Download was interrupted, it would continue once the connection was re-established.
I've had that happen before with XP and the Telco had a time out and when I restarted the comp it continued with out any problems. Neil.

 

Neil, I download the TeamViewer software to both of my machines to test it out, and I can tell you now that it works great so far. I even created an ID and password to access my own machine remotely...that is, if TeamViewer can wake my machine out of sleep.

 

Followup...

Success!

I managed to access my aunt's laptop with TeamViewer and update many applications - including Malware Bytes (113 days old) - plus I installed all available security updates for Windows 8. However, I noticed that 8.1 is *not* being offered to her via Windows Update. Is that a separate download from a another link?

She really appreciated my help. (lives 600 miles away)

 

James, Is the Laptop set to Windows Update Automatically?

If it is, there should be no problems. If it's activated - it will eventually be done on Auto update. I think you receive a message to the effect that Windows is going to install 8.1 and it pays to be with the comp while this is happening.
There are a couple of times you are needed for user input. Just to click approval if I remember right. Neil.

 

Yes, I have the laptop set to update Windows automatically. She has not had it on that much (she uses her smartphone quite often instead) since I last saw her in August. There must have been at least 130 MB of updates I installed. After rebooting, I ran Windows Update again, but it said that everything was up to date. The only other updates I saw were two related to Bing search, and some other optional update, but no mention whatsoever of Windows 8.1.

Am I missing something?

EDIT: She has a blazing fast connection (compared to mine), so 8.1 could be downloaded quicker than I first thought.

 

If the WU says all updates are installed - then it's just a matter of waiting.
What does it say when you go > Control Panel > System. Does it show W8 or W8.1? Neil.

 

I should've thought of that. I'll reconnect to her machine tomorrow and see what it says. Can you get the same info by right-clicking on My Computer > Properties?

I can't thank you enough for the software link. TeamViewer made the hookup so easy.

 

My Version is a Genuine Windows 8 Pro Upgrade which installed on an empty HDD and Activated and has been Updated Automatically to W8.1.
It runs as smooth as and is easy to get around with Classic Shell V4.0.2.
I'm stoked with it. Neil.

 

Yeah, you're right. I reread the link from lj50, and it said as much. My mind was so cluttered with other things, I must have overlooked it.

 

Looking at the update link lj50 provided, I noticed that one is asked to signin to a Microsoft account (Hotmail?). Is this step necessary, or can it be bypassed? What's the purpose of a Microsoft account, to use their apps?

 

retiredlearner I downloaded and installed TeamViewer on my two laptops then tested the program and it works great. Thanks for the link.

 

Hi lj50, Glad to know it works for you as well.
James, This seems to be part of MS Security. I was initially put off by this mandatory requirement to establish an "Account ", but you can't achieve anything without signing up to an account.
Once established, everything works from there.
It's like "Activation" in effect. This is my read on it. Neil.

 

Well, we did it.

It took about three hours to download and install 8.1. The process wasn't too bad. Did some online searching about the Microsoft Account issue, and used the custom route to bypass creating an online account.

How to sign into Windows 8 or 8.1 without a Microsoft account - make a local user
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My aunt's computer seems to be running very well from what I can tell.

The new 8.1 interface is not much to crow about though. I had to use Classic Shell to bring the start menu back to its rightful place. I can't figure out why Microsoft would remove it to begin with. I plan to stay with Windows 7 myself until the bitter end.