TL;DR: Remote patch management helps IT teams deploy updates, security patches, and bug fixes to off-site devices without physical access. With PDQ, sysadmins can group devices by outdated software or missing updates, then automate patch deployments for tools like Google Chrome and Windows cumulative updates to keep remote endpoints secure and compliant.
Remote patch management is the process of deploying, installing, and managing software updates, security patches, and bug fixes on remote devices without requiring physical access. Automated patch management is typically performed using a remote agent that communicates with computers over the internet, allowing IT teams to patch systems regardless of location.
This guide shows sysadmins how to patch remote endpoints quickly and efficiently using proven best practices and PDQ.
What is remote patch management?
Remote patch management is the broader process of distributing and overseeing updates across systems, regardless of their locations. While most users are familiar with installing updates, effective patch management goes further. It includes:
Vetting updates before deployment.
Scheduling updates to minimize disruption.
Grouping devices to match organizational needs.
Fixing failed or broken updates.
Maintaining uptime for critical systems.
If you own a smart device, you understand installing updates since they all seem to need an update eight days a week.
For a more in-depth guide on patch management, check out our guide to patch management 101.
Automate patching with PDQ Connect
Keep Windows & macOS devices patched and secure from anywhere.
How do I patch remote devices?
To patch remote devices, use a remote patch management tool to inventory endpoints, identify missing updates, deploy tested patches, and monitor completion without needing physical access.
Scan remote devices for missing OS and third-party app updates.
Group devices by missing patches, software version, OS, or risk level.
Test patches on a small group first.
Automate deployments on a recurring schedule.
Review patch status, failures, and compliance reports.
Remote patch management options at a glance
The best remote patch management approach depends on how your devices connect, what you need to patch, and how much manual work your team can realistically tolerate.
Approach | Best for | Remote access | Third-party app support |
|---|---|---|---|
PDQ | Remote and hybrid Windows or macOS devices | Agent-based | Yes |
Native OS tools | Basic operating system updates | Varies | Limited |
RMM platforms | MSPs or teams needing monitoring plus patching | Usually agent-based | Varies |
Manual scripts | One-off fixes or custom patch workflows | Varies | Manual setup required |
What are the best practices for patching remote devices?
Following remote patch management best practices can streamline your security patch deployment. As an added bonus, it can reduce the risk that missing patches and unpatched vulnerabilities will give threat actors a convenient entry point.
Here are a few tips to improve your remote endpoint management through effective patching.
Know your environment
Understand your devices and software to identify applicable patches faster. We've waxed poetic about IT asset management more times than we can count, but it really is that important.
Document your patch management policy
Clear documentation improves consistency, efficiency, and compliance. A patch management policy or plan may not be your magnum opus, but it can definitely make your processes run more smoothly.
Test patches
Use a test group or lab environment to avoid issues in production. No need to jeopardize your precious production environment with untested patches! Deploying the latest updates to a smaller test group (ideally in a lab environment) can help you spot potential issues before you start receiving angry calls from your remote workers.
Automate what you can
Automating patch deployment saves time and reduces manual errors. Automated patch management is one of the best things to ever happen to sysadmins (right up there with White Monster). With automations in place, remote patch installation is quick and painless, simplifying this critical aspect of vulnerability management.
Monitor updates
Ongoing monitoring helps ensure patches are applied and systems stay compliant. Unfortunately, you can't just push out patches and trust that everything will work. Remote patch management also calls for ongoing remote monitoring to maintain visibility into patch status and compliance.
While you need to monitor your fleet closely, you also need to keep an eye on the latest software updates. Major releases to patch Windows typically come out on Patch Tuesday, so keep checking back to the PDQ blog for information on the latest essentials, like Microsoft Office and operating system updates.
Choose a high-quality patch manager
The key to managing patches on remote devices is having the right tool for the job. While many Windows patch management software solutions on the market manage remote updates, a lot require extensive training, large budgets, or dedicated team members. If you've got those kinds of resources lying around, then you have many options. However, if you're like me and need a remote patch management tool that gets the job done quickly and with minimal effort, then PDQ is a tool for you.
How do I patch remote devices with PDQ?
Let's look at how simple it is to patch remote devices using PDQ's agent-based approach. If you don't have PDQ and want to follow along, sign up for a 14-day free trial and find out if PDQ is the right tool for your remote device management.
If the remote devices in your fleet regularly connect to VPN, you can also use PDQ Deploy for remote patch management. Give it a go by following our guide to automate patch management with PDQ Deploy & Inventory.
How do I group remote devices for patch deployment?
Once you've installed the PDQ agent, your devices are scanned and imported into your PDQ instance. At this point, PDQ starts collecting all sorts of valuable data, such as hardware configurations, installed software, group memberships, enabled features, installed updates, disk drive data, and much more. You can use this information to create groups of devices for your patch deployments to target.
Let's create a couple of groups to ensure we target the correct devices with our patch deployments. This first group targets devices with old versions of Google Chrome installed.
Creating a Google Chrome old group in PDQ
Here's how to create a PDQ group containing devices with old versions of Google Chrome installed.
Select the Devices tab in PDQ, click Create Group.
Enter a group name, then select Dynamic for the Type.
Add the following filters:
Where | Software | Name | contains | $(AppNameGoogleChrome)
AND | Software | Version | is less than | $(AppVerGoogleChromeEnterprise)
Click Create.
As you can see, I'm super creative and named my group Chrome (Old). But you can also see that I've got one device with an old version of Google Chrome installed, so while my creativity is lacking, my methods are solid.
Creating a group of devices missing the latest Windows update
This time, we'll create a group of devices missing the latest cumulative update for a specific version of Windows. For this example, I'll be targeting devices running Windows 11 25H2. Many of these steps are the same as in the previous section, but the filters differ.
Click the Devices tab in PDQ, then click Create Group.
Enter a group name, then select Dynamic for the Type.
Add the following filters to the group:
Where | Device | OS edition | contains | Windows 11
AND | Device | SP/ Release | equals | 25H2
AND | Device | OS version | is less than | $(OSVerWin1125H2Latest)
AND | Windows updates (installed) | Update title | does not contain | $(HFName1125H2MonthlyLatest)
Click Create.
We're using built-in variables for our groups because PDQ automatically updates them, which means less work for us. When the next software update comes out, we won't have to modify the group filters, they'll remain current, and our groups will stay accurate.
After saving my group, it looks like I've got one Windows 11 25H2 workstation missing the latest cumulative update, and it's the same device with an old version of Chrome installed. No worries; we'll set up some automations to ensure everything gets patched and updated.
How do I automate remote patch deployments in PDQ?
The good news is that PDQ automatically comes with packages for both Google Chrome and Windows cumulative updates. All we need to do is build the automations to push out updates to any devices in the groups we just created.
Automations in PDQ are deployments configured on a schedule. You set the days of the week, the time, and the frequency, and PDQ does the rest, deploying all the packages connected to that automation.
Creating a Google Chrome automation
First, let's make an automation to push out our Google Chrome updates regularly.
In PDQ, click the Automation tab.
Click Create Automation.
Enter a name.
Search for and select the Google Chrome Enterprise package in the Packages field.
Ensure Latest is selected next to the package version.
Select Recurring if it's not already selected.
Enter a start date for the automation.
Configure the frequency of the automation.
Select the Chrome (Old) group as the Deploy to target, then click Save to save the automation.
With the automation in place, it kicks off on the start date you configure and continues to deploy according to your schedule. When the next version of Chrome is released, computers still running the old version fall back into the group we created and are then patched by the automation.
Creating a Windows cumulative update automation
Now let's create the automation for our Windows cumulative update. Again, this process is similar to the previous section, but we'll use a different package, target a different group, and use a slightly different schedule.
In PDQ, click the Automations tab, then click Create automation.
Name the automation.
Search for and select the Windows 11 (24H2/25H2) - Cumulative Update (64-bit) package in the Packages field.
Configure your trigger, start date, and schedule.
Select the Windows 11 25H2 missing updates group we created earlier, then click Save.
Each month when Microsoft releases a new cumulative update, devices that haven't been updated automatically populate into the Windows 11 25H2 Cumulative Update Old group we created. Then the automation distributes the newest update according to your configured schedule. It's pretty magical.
Patching remote devices keeps getting easier and easier with PDQ as we continue to release new features.
The automatic deployment trigger lets you automatically deploy a package when that package updates or a new device joins a group. You don't need to lift a finger. And bandwidth management helps you get users the latest updates without interrupting their work.
What’s the difference between remote and local patch management?
The difference between remote and local patch management lies in physical access. With local patching, IT teams can directly interact with devices. Remote patching, on the other hand, requires tools that work over the internet, since admins can’t physically touch the machines.
Think of it like fixing your parent’s computer: It’s much easier to troubleshoot in person than over the phone. The same principle applies when patching endpoints remotely.
Is remote patching harder than local patching?
Yes, remote patching is usually harder than local patching because IT teams have less direct access to off-site devices, more network variability, and fewer chances to troubleshoot in person. A remote patch management tool reduces that complexity by keeping devices visible, grouped, patched, and monitored from a central console.
Remote patch management FAQs
How do I patch remote devices?
To patch remote devices, inventory your endpoints, identify missing updates, group devices by patch need, test updates on a small group, deploy patches with a remote patch management tool, and monitor completion. With PDQ, you can target dynamic groups and automate recurring deployments.
What is the best way to patch off-network devices?
The best way to patch off-network devices is with a cloud-based, agent-based patch management tool. The agent lets the device check in over the internet, so IT can deploy updates without relying on VPN access, local network visibility, or physical access to the machine.
Can I patch third-party apps on remote devices?
Yes. Remote patch management tools can update third-party apps like browsers, productivity tools, and collaboration software if they support third-party application patching. In PDQ, you can use prebuilt packages and dynamic groups to target devices running outdated apps.
How do I know which remote devices need patches?
Use inventory scans, software version data, OS version data, and missing update reports to identify devices that need patches. In PDQ, you can create dynamic groups for devices with outdated software or missing Windows cumulative updates, then target those groups with deployments.
How often should I patch remote devices?
Most IT teams should patch high-risk updates as soon as testing allows and handle routine operating system and third-party app updates on a recurring schedule. For Windows environments, monthly Patch Tuesday updates are a common baseline, with urgent out-of-band patches handled separately.
Do remote devices need a VPN to be patched?
Not always. Agent-based patch management tools can patch remote devices over the internet without VPN access. Agentless tools usually need line of sight to the device, which often means the endpoint must be on the local network or connected through VPN.
Patching devices is one of the fundamental roles of a sysadmin, right behind asking users to restart their computers and reset passwords. Try PDQ for free and make remote patching the easiest part of your job!
