Windows 10: Microsoft's replaces bundled Quick Assist app with Microsoft Store version

Quick Assist is a remote assistance application that is part of Microsoft's Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. Up until now, Quick Assist was available to all users to get remote assistance, e.g., to resolve issues that users experience while working on Windows machines.



Users may launch the interface by searching for Quick Assist or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Win+Q; the new app supports the keyboard shortcut just like the old version of Quick Assist.

Starting on May 23, 2022, that version of Quick Assist will stop functioning. Announced on April 27, 2022, Microsoft informed Windows Insiders about the upcoming changes to Quick Assist. The company delayed the change by a week, which was originally scheduled to take place on May 16, 2022.

The announcement explains how the new version of Quick Assist can be installed, but it does not highlight the challenges that administrators face.

The old version of Quick Assist can't be used anymore after May 23, 2022 according to Microsoft.



Users receive a prompt that a new version is available, and that it needs to be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Store. The "not yet" option will be removed from the application window. It loads the Quick Assist interface when selected.

The change introduces several usability issues for administrators and users alike, which Microsoft failed to mention in the announcement.

Administrators who replied to the official Twitter announcement by Microsoft's Office Insider account highlighted, that the installation of the application required administrative privileges, and that the user that required assistance, needed to install the new Quick Assist app from the Store to get help using the tool.

Previously, administrators could be sure that Quick Assist was available if the device used Windows 10 or 11 as the operating system. The change may require support to walk each user through the installation of the new Quick Assist application before it can be used to provide remote assistance.

Additionally, the new Quick Assist installs next to the old Quick Assist application on the Windows machine, making it difficult for users to pick the right one during searches or selecting the right one for uninstallation.

At least the last issue appears to have been fixed. Installation of the new version appears to remove the old version from the device. A search lists the newly installed application only and the apps listing in the Settings application lists it as the sole app as well.

Microsoft explains the reason behind the change


Kapil Tundwal, the engineering manager for the Quick Assist application explained on Twitter that the Microsoft Store version enables Microsoft to send security updates faster to the userbase.

Regarding the Microsoft Store requirement, Microsoft notes that it is possible to distribute the offline app version of Quick Assist. Administrators pointed out, that this won't work in all environments.

Closing Words


Microsoft's decision to replace the native Quick Assist application with a Store version has caught many administrators off guard. Microsoft could have replaced the original version with the new version gradually, by integrating the new version in new Windows releases. It could also have kept the old version functional for the time being to give organizations time to adjust to the change.

Now You: have you used Quick Assist in the past? (via Bleeping Computer)

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft's replaces bundled Quick Assist app with Microsoft Store version appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

read more...

 

microsoft app store

How to run apps that are downloaded from Microsoft app store on multiple PCs without downloading multiple times.

 

Microsoft is purging a lot of low quality apps from the Windows Store

"Microsoft is sending emails to some Windows Store developers informing them that their apps have been removed from the Store for violating its quality standards."

"Neowin reports that app developers have been receiving these emails over the past couple of days:

In its latest review of the Store, Microsoft is evaluating if the published apps are good enough to be listed in the Windows Store. This includes publicly available apps as well as private beta apps. Additionally, Microsoft is also asking developers to delete any promotional campaigns for their apps to prevent advertising charges. Similarly, app name reservations are also being nullified; which means that if your app is unpublished, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to republish it under the same name.

Officially, the policies for the Microsoft Store says that apps must have "distinct and informative metadata" and "provide a valuable and quality user experience". There are also some specific standards that must be in the apps, including having a name that is not similar to another app or device, along with offering a description that is accurate about its features and functions.

There have certainly been many Windows Store users who have complained over the years about the large number of apps published that are clones of other apps or ones that are simply poorly made. Hopefully, this new move by Microsoft will help to curb these issues, at least for now."

Microsoft is purging a lot of low quality apps from the Windows Store | Windows Central

 

App store and Microsoft account

Thank you for the advice

I see what you mean about the password but i think its a backward step to compromise my Microsoft password to to use the app store