Ok, I have to admit that I am sick and tired of being treated like a second class citizen simply because I own a kick-ass computer and decide to run the 64-bit version of Windows XP professional.

Today I had to try to do a remote assistance session to my mothers new computer (don't ask) and after some searching (because it would not work) I came across this little tidbit of information on the Microsoft web site.

Remote Assistance Is Not Available in Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304727

Symptoms:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition does not include the Remote Assistance feature.

Status:
This behavior is by design.

Holly freaking hell! Do they not call it the 'professional' version? Whats with not including a support feature in there?

Oh wait a second. I think I understand it... Just like the theme engine, the 64-bit version of something is so completely different that it would have been too hard to make it work in x64 so they just left it off right?

You know, I am usually pretty liberal in my love of MS stuff. Their software has helped me make a decent living over the years and I think that they generally do a pretty good job, but it's these little annoying things that keep getting under my skin like a tick.

Somebody there better wake up.

Oh, by the way, it works just fine on the 64-bit version of VISTA running the exact same copy of Windows Live Messenger so they CAN do it if they wanted to.