Remote Computer Access - Are There Limitations To What You Can Do?

[joko]

I need to 'fix' my mums computer - she's old and basically its a clogged up mess, so im going to set up remote access and then remove all her stuff, wipe it, and reset to factory settings and put her stuff back.

can i do this with remote access? or would i need to have laptop physically with me?

i cant go round at the moment and she wont let me take it away, so going to try this

will it work?

thanks :)

[ToraToraTora]

you can do the job up to "wiping it" but after that you'll need the actual lap top

[Lie-in King]

If your machines are both running Win 10 (I don't know if all the following works on another OS), you can use "Quick Assist" - up to a point; you'll be able to remove files etc from mum's PC, but you can't transfer files etc from your PC to hers or vice-versa. That proviso aside, you can do pretty much everything on her PC that you know how to do on yours.

Both of you need to click the magnifying glass on your taskbars, start typing "Qui..." - now press "Enter" when "Quick Assist" goes to the top of the list.

joko - now you click "Give assistance" & sign in with your Microsoft details. You'll be given a 6 digit security code that you need to pass on to your mum - she'll have to input the 6 digit code & then allow you access (I can't recall the exact wording she'll see, sorry). Her screen will now show on your monitor & your mouse now controls her cursor.

You can simply move the cursor back to your own PC if you need to - it's important to keep her informed (I'm assuming you're on the phone here, that's how I use this facility...) as to what you're doing & if you need her to actuate something to move things forward.

I do this quite regularly & have achieved what was needed. It can be "weird", but it's a very useful tool when you get used to it.

[ToraToraTora]

to wipe it she'll need a dos window and Format C: etc then after that she'll need a bootable disc/thumb drive with the OS on, can't do that remotely.

[Lie-in King]

I doubt that a "factory reset" is actually needed here. It sounds to me as though mum has clogged her computer with so many files & unneeded apps that it's having a hard time going to work.

[Tuvok]

Make sure you emphasise that only you should access her computer like this and if anybody else wants to access it she must not let them.

[Togo]

That LiK is a sterling answer. I read the question and was wondering how the heck to answer then saw yours. No need.
This may be worth a quick look though.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+to+give+remote+assistance+windows+10&cvid=0e5ff6be72fd4c79a97454c5da4968a1&pglt=171&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=U531

[Lie-in King]

Tuvok - that can't happen with "Quick Assist" - the 2 people involved need to be in contact at the time. Yes, I understand that spoof calls saying "we need to access your computer" happen, but it's not the same scenario.

[ToraToraTora]

LIK yes, fair enough but I assumed the phrase "wipe it" meant that, joko, do you actually mean "wipe it" ?

[youngmafbog]

Best way to reset a pc/laptop is to use the Windows reset. Press the windows key and start typing reset, when you see 'reset this pc' hit enter then click 'get started'. We did this all the time when I ran the service desk but you cannot do it remotely.

However my suggestion is you simply RDC into the other machine and download ccleaner free version. that should clear most of the crap.

[Togo]

This is another helpful walk through. It gives options for other OSs. We all know, I'm sure, that joko is teched up but this is not easy unless the one at the other end is able to participate. When you say that you are "going to remove her stuff ... and then put it back" joko do you know how?

https://www.howtogeek.com/268808/how-to-use-windows-10s-quick-assist-to-remotely-troubleshoot-a-friends-pc/

[Togo]

I only ask because despite this..
""You’ll have full access to their entire computer as if you were sitting in front of it, so you can launch any programs or access any files they could. You’ll have all the privileges the computer’s owner has, so you won’t be restricted from changing any system settings. You can troubleshoot their computer, change settings, check for malware, install software, or do anything else you would do if you were sitting in front of their computer.""

if you want to save files or "stuff" that is important you will need a means of storing/saving them. Without hardware t'other end it may be a problem unless there is OneDrive or similar cloud storage. I am trying to establish whether you can transfer files from Mum to You which would make that problem go away.

[Togo]

Yes you can.....Using the "Utilities/File transfer option. Haha good luck Joko this may be an intense sesh for you. I once sorted out settings for a luddite brother who let his grandkids have a play with the keyboard and getting the settings back was enough thank you.

https://www.remotepc.com/help/windows/file_transfer.htm#:~:text=During%20a%20live%20remote%20session%2C%20go%20to%20the,also%20transfer%20files%2Ffolders%20without%20starting%20a%20remote%20session.

[joko]

yeah ive done loads of cleanups etc, she doesnt but i do it when i can, i use glary utilies but i think its time to do a reset
i know theres 2 types there - one that doesnt touch her files etc and resets windows
and one is a full factory reset.
she is old and gets confused and exasperated when something doesnt work as usual, like a link is gone or moved or she has to look somewhere else for things etc, so i also want to make a note of all her favoutites, bookmarks, log ins etc and try to out all that back as much as possible too. i want to put it all back as close as i can to how she has it

[joko]

once i set the RA up i want to be able to go on her machine like once a month and do a little clean up for her so it stays healthy for her

she thinks im a computer wizard haha - im pretty knowledgable and build them, install parts etc but im no wizard, but she just expects me to be able to sort it all out without anything changing haha

[joko]

thanks for the help everyone

[Old_Geezer]

The moment you have removed any chance of rebooting it, then without someone on site to continue, you'll be stumped. Difficult to load a new system and recycle the power. There may be ways. Set up a dual OS and default to rebooting on the new one before wiping the old maybe. But I suspect however you are connecting remotely, you'd want to do practice runs on a "remote" laptop in front of you first to ensure it'll go well.