PDQ Adds Screen-Free Device Access for IT Teams

IT administrators supporting remote Windows and macOS fleets can now troubleshoot devices without taking over users' screens.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Remote Work

Clean vector editorial illustration of rack-mounted server units with bundled cables and glowing status lights beside a closed laptop, evoking remote device administration. — PDQ, a Salt Lake City device management company, launched live remote shell and file access tools letting IT administrators fix Windows and macOS devices without taking over users' screens. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

PDQ, a Salt Lake City-based device management company, launched live device access tools for remote Windows and macOS management, including a remote shell, a live file explorer, and automatic remote desktop agent deployment. The tools are available through PDQ's Plus and Premium plans, giving IT teams a way to act on managed devices without opening a full remote desktop session.

Why it matters

IT administrators at businesses using PDQ can now investigate and fix device problems without immediately taking control of a user's screen, which can interrupt work even when only command-line checks or file access is needed. The change matters most for teams that support distributed or remote employees, where routine fixes can otherwise require disruptive screen sharing.

PDQ, founded in 2001, serves more than 33,000 customers with the new tools available on its Plus and Premium plans. The initial live file explorer supports transferring one file at a time and includes file-size limits.

The players

PDQ

PDQ is a Salt Lake City-based device management provider founded in 2001 that serves more than 33,000 customers with tools for managing Windows and macOS endpoints.

The details

The live device tools operate within PDQ's existing interface, letting admins browse and search files, retrieve logs, and upload, download, or delete files on a managed device in real time. The remote desktop agent now deploys automatically to existing devices and future enrolments, and offline devices receive it after they reconnect and check in. An expanded AI assistant has also moved into open early access.

November 4, 2026: PDQ announced the launch of its live device access tools.

Market Landscape

The launch extends PDQ's established endpoint management platform by adding lower-intrusion troubleshooting options next to full remote desktop control. Remote support tools increasingly compete on how little they disrupt end users, and PDQ's release positions it in that direction.

IT leaders supporting remote staff should evaluate whether lower-intrusion troubleshooting reduces disruption for employees on their Windows and macOS fleets. Teams already on PDQ's Plus or Premium plans should review the deployment and file-transfer limits before relying on the tools for routine support.

The takeaway

Businesses managing distributed devices can use less disruptive support methods to resolve issues without taking over an employee's screen. IT administrators should check file-size limits and the one-file-at-a-time transfer restriction before building workflows around the new file explorer.