IT professionals who were enraged by Microsoft’s decision to make Quick Assist an app in its Store in May 2022 now have a choice to stick with the outdated built-in version of the software.
Quick Assist is a very useful feature of Microsoft Windows that enables a user to observe or control a Windows computer from a distance across a network. However, the recent decision by the software behemoth to forsake the old built-in version in favour of an app for the Microsoft Store was horrible news for the IT community as it meant hassle. IT pros expressed their dissatisfaction with the move, raising issues with the per-user installation process and the need for local admin permissions during installations. Microsoft stated in May that the “underlying functionality” of Quick Assist and the necessity for a quicker security update push had forced it to take such measures. Additionally, it emphasised that “the old version will no longer be usable somewhere in mid-May.” The December 2022 quality update that Microsoft planned should put an end to these issues, though.
Microsoft programme manager Russell Mosier stated in a recent blog post on its Tech Community page that the December 2022 quality update will upgrade the original Quick Assist for Windows 10, versions 20H2, 21H1, 21H2, and 22H2, as well as Windows 11, version 21H2.
Install the December 2022 quality update for Windows 11 or Windows 10 to enjoy a seamless and enhanced Quick Assist experience! You may use Quick Assist to remotely assist your customers, coworkers, family, and friends with their PC issues whether you use the original app or the Microsoft Store version, according to Mosier. “To enhance performance and security, we relocated Quick Assist to the Microsoft Store in June. This version of the software is pre-installed in Windows and is updated through the Store as of Windows 11, version 22H2. Some of you, however, were unable to install Quick Assist from the Store as a result of this change. Our quality update for December 2022 is here to help if that describes you!
Users no longer need to download the Store version of the software to replace their outdated built-in Quick Assist thanks to the upgrade. The January 2023 quality update for Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSC will transfer all the most recent features from the Store version to the older one, according to Microsoft. Microsoft also retracted its previous statement and stated that Quick Assist’s original version will continue to be supported for as long as the operating systems were still supported.
Additionally, this month’s quality update will assist users who choose to use Quick Assist’s keyboard shortcut (Windows logo key + Ctrl + Q) in launching the appropriate version of the programme. Microsoft stated that the default version of Quick Assist will launch if the Store app isn’t installed.
As a side note, the Microsoft Edge WebView2 will need Quick Assist for the December 2022 quality update. Users with the Microsoft Edge browser and Windows 11 do not need to take any more steps to do this; however, those who still need to install WebView2 only need to launch Quick Assist in order to have it done for them.
