9 Easy Ways to Get Help in Windows 10 & 11 [2024 Edition]

Microsoft Windows isn’t without its fair share of issues, and occasionally, if you run into some sort of an issue, it’s best to scour the internet to find the solution. But there may be instances where this may not work, and your issue is unique to you. In that case, you may need to get in touch with the support folks at the company itself.

This guide will go in detail to explain the different ways to get support in Windows, and also disable the potentially annoying “Get Help” pop-up.

What’s the Get Help Pop-up in Windows?

On Windows devices, pressing the F1 key typically redirects you to a Bing webpage with “how to get help in Windows” displayed in the search bar. This pop-up can be quite frustrating, especially for users who frequently mistype and accidentally press F1.

↪ How to Disable this Pop-up?

Most of the users who have reported the issue on online forums have stated that it stems from accidental presses, often while gaming or during work sessions. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to know that this functionality can be completely disabled by modifying a few settings for “helppane.exe” within the Registry Editor.

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Why Get Help in Windows?

As a Windows user, you can come across many ambiguities and anomalies while using the operating system. Here are some of the reasons why you may need help in Windows:

1. Specific Error Messages: You may come across an error message or a prompt that doesn’t have a solution available online. In such cases, consulting Microsoft Support directly might be your best course of action.
2. Unexpected Behaviour: Windows can sometimes behave unexpectedly with programs crashing and features malfunctioning. In specific scenarios like this, it is better to consult the professionals themselves.
3. Troubleshooting Complex Issues: There are some issues that are beyond your troubleshooting capabilities or require deeper system modifications. For these, it is advisable to get help directly from Microsoft Support, that in turn can direct you to qualified technicians.
4. Data-Related Queries: Some users may want to access, organise, or use certain files in a particular way—or probably need help recovering their lost files. In that cases, Microsoft support can come in handy.
5. General Use: Windows is used by over a billion devices worldwide, and not everyone using an electronic device is a tech expert. That’s why anyone could require help with Windows, even for the minutest of issues.

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How to Get Help in Windows?

Microsoft has quite a user-friendly and comprehensive support system for anyone needing help with their products. This includes not only Windows, but also Office, Xbox, and even their hardware. Here’s how to get help in Windows.

1) Use the Search Bar

Microsoft has recently integrated Copilot AI, which is based on similar technology as ChatGPT, into Windows’ search. This means that any questions or issues you have within the OS will immediately be addressed by this AI.

You simply need to open the Windows search and type in the issue you’re facing. On the right-hand side of the search menu, you will see Copilot’s results, often summarised in points, which will give you a good idea of the issue at hand.

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2) Get the Help App

Windows has a built-in “Get Help” app that lets you find answers to any queries you may have by scraping through forums and official documents available on the internet. To use this app, follow the steps down below:

Step 1: Open the Get Help App

The “Get Help” app comes pre-installed with all versions of Windows 11 and 10. Here is how to open the app:

1. On the taskbar, click on the Windows’ Start menu icon.
2. Type “Get Help.”
3. From the search results, select the app icon to open up the app.

Step 2: Type Your Issue in the Search Bar

The app has a really simple interface where you will see a prominent search bar in the middle, with some common search queries listed below. Simply type your issue in the search field.

Once entered, the app will prompt you with follow-up questions to better understand the issue. Select the appropriate options from these questions, and the app will suggest procedures based on what it thinks is the right solution.

Step 3: Contact Support via Web Browser or Phone Call (Optional)

If you wish to contact the support staff or get in touch with a professional, select the “Contact Support” button on the bottom left-hand side of the window.

The app will then prompt you to select the service for which you need help, such as Windows, Xbox, or Office services. Choose the appropriate option, and the app will prompt you to chat with a live agent via the web browser, or by a phone call. Keep in mind that the latter is a paid feature that comes as part of the Microsoft 365 subscription.

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3) Use the Get Started Feature

Another one of Windows’ built-in features is the “Get Started” app that lets you learn and understand how Windows works altogether. It’ll give you a better idea of how to customize the experience to match your workflow and will also suggest apps that complement the way you use your PC.

When you open the app, simply tick all the boxes for how you plan on using your device. It’ll automatically adjust those settings for you within Windows.

4) Use the Built-In Troubleshooter

There may be times when you may run across problems with your PC that you can’t diagnose or fix yourself. In such cases, it’s advisable to troubleshoot using built-in tools first. If the problem persists, then consider contacting support.

Windows has a number of troubleshooters for different aspects of your PC, including but not limited to Network & Internet, Audio, Updates, and more. Just open Settings and go to System then click on Troubleshoot. You’ll see a list of options with the “Run” button right next to them.

5) Visit Microsoft Support Website

If you’re looking for online help, Microsoft’s own website is the best place to start. It is possible that the issue or the product you need help with has a common solution, and the support website might already have a documented fix for your problem.

6) Look for Contextual Help

Almost any native app that you may use on Windows comes with its own set of ‘Help’ options. Most of the times, you’ll find this as a small question mark symbol enclosed within a circle. Some of the apps will use this button as a hyperlink to the Microsoft Support website.

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7) Use Quick Assist to Remotely Get Help

If you’re considering getting help from someone remotely, the Quick Assist feature in Windows 10 and 11 can be very useful. This pre-installed app allows you to grant temporary access to another person, allowing them to view or control your system for troubleshooting purposes.

To connect to a remote PC, simply open Quick Assist on both devices and sign-in with your Microsoft account. You will then be prompted to choose between “Get help,” or “Help someone.” The person on the other end should choose the latter and they’ll see a code on their screen that you’ll need to enter on your device.

Keep in mind however that you should always use this feature with caution and only allow people you trust to access your PC, as it quite easy to fall prey to people who’ll try to extract sensitive information out of your device.

8) Visit the Microsoft Community Forums

Microsoft has its own set of Community forums where you’ll sometimes find the company’s own professional staff to participate in discussions with official, more reliable solutions to users’ queries. These forums are often used to make Microsoft’s services function better since they then become part of the “Get Help” functionality.

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9) Look for YouTube Tutorials

At times, you’ll come across situations where you won’t find the solution through any of the official channels. In that case, it is advisable to consult video guides on YouTube, majority of which are made by third-party creators. These will often include solutions to issues that are separate from the conventional route.

Conclusion

Microsoft has plenty of ways for everyone to seek help in Windows. New features, error messages and sometimes bugs can be difficult to deal with, but knowing the right set of services and resources will certainly help improve your Windows experience.