# Connect to an Access device

Access devices are Windows computers with the Blink agent installed and enrolled into your organization. You can connect to them whenever they are online, with nobody at the keyboard. To add devices, see [Install the Access agent on Windows](/install/access-agent-windows/), or install Access from a support session (see [Run a support session](/use/support-sessions/#turn-a-support-session-into-an-access-device)).

## Find a device

1. In the console, open **Access**.
2. Use the search box to find a device by name, host name, OS, agent version or tag, or filter by status (**Online**, **Offline**, **Revoked**) and group.

Each row shows the device's OS, agent version, groups and connection. The **Connection** column shows whether the device is online now or when it was last seen, and whether a technician is connected.

## Start a session

1. Select **View** on the device's row (or open the device and select **View**).
2. The viewer opens in a new tab and connects.

If the console asks you to confirm it is you, switch back to the console tab, confirm, and the viewer continues.

**View** is greyed out while the device is offline or revoked. If the device went offline between the list refreshing and your click, the console says **That device is offline right now.**

:::note
An Access session connects silently. The person signed in on the device sees no banner and no tray icon, and is not asked to approve. Only a chat message you send shows on their screen, in a chat window. Make sure your use of Access matches your agreements with the people whose computers you manage. When your plan includes **Session recording** and **Session timeline**, Access sessions are recorded and logged like any other session.
:::

## Chat with the signed-in user

You can chat with the person signed in on the device, in the session with the viewer's **Chat** button, or before you connect with the chat button on the **Access** page, for example to ask whether now is a good time. A chat started before the session carries on into it when you select **Connect** in the chat panel. Chat needs **Chat (access)**. See [Chat with the customer](/use/chat/#chat-before-you-connect).

## Viewing and controlling

What you can do in a session depends on your role:

- **Connect to devices** lets you start a session.
- **Join access sessions (any)** lets you open a session someone else started. On its own, it is view only.
- **Control (access)** lets you use the mouse and keyboard and Type text.
- **Clipboard (access)** and **File transfer (access)** add the shared clipboard and file transfer.

If you can watch but not control, the viewer toolbar shows **View only** and the status strip at the bottom reads **view only**. Your mouse and keyboard stay on your own computer.

To join a session that is already running, open **Sessions**, find the device, and select **View**. Several technicians can be in the same session.

## Tools in an Access session

On top of the tools every session has (see [Use the viewer](/use/viewer/)), Access sessions add these, each when your role and your plan allow it:

- **Ctrl+Alt+Del**: sends the key combination to the device, for the lock or sign-in screen. Typing Ctrl+Alt+Del on your own keyboard does not reach Windows sign-in; use this button. It is not shown in Backstage.
- **Power**: reboot the device, or reboot it into Safe Mode with Networking. See [Reboot and Safe Mode](/use/reboot-and-safe-mode/).
- **Terminal**: a PowerShell or Command Prompt on the device, recorded when your plan includes **Terminal history**. See [Open a remote terminal](/use/remote-terminal/).
- **Backstage**: a hidden desktop the signed-in user cannot see. You start it from the **Access** page; in a Backstage session the toolbar button switches between the hidden desktop and the live screen. See [Work in Backstage](/use/backstage/).
- **Blink View**: someone with the device can show you their phone camera. Give them the code or link yourself: in Access sessions the QR code cannot be sent to the computer. Needs **Blink View (access)**. See [See the customer's phone camera with Blink View](/use/blink-view/).

## End the session

- In the viewer, select **End**, then **End session**. Every technician viewing the device is disconnected and, if the session is recorded, the recording is finalized.
- Or in **Sessions**, select **End** on the session's row.

The device stays enrolled and online, ready for the next session.