Installing the agent
The Overseer agent is the small program that connects a Windows computer to Overseer. This page explains the four ways to install it and how to choose between them.
What the agent is and why you install it
Overseer is a desired-state engine. You declare what should be true on each computer, and Overseer detects where a computer differs, acts to close the gap and verifies the result. None of that can happen until the computer can talk to Overseer. The Overseer agent is that link.
The agent is lightweight and installs on Windows computers only. It runs alongside whatever remote management tool you already have, so nothing needs to be removed first. Check the supported operating systems before you begin.
Choosing an install method
Overseer offers four ways to install the agent. Choose by the state the computer is in and by how you can reach it.
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Provisioning package | A brand new computer, or one that has been wiped and reloaded |
| PowerShell command | A computer already in use that you can reach remotely |
| Executable file | A computer you cannot reach remotely |
| Windows Sandbox | Testing on your own computer |
Provisioning package
A provisioning package is a file that Windows reads during its first-run setup. You download the file, copy it to a USB flash drive as an ordinary file, plug the drive into the computer and switch the computer on. Windows finds the package and applies it. The agent is installed without anyone working through the setup screens by hand.
- Shipping direct. A new computer can go straight to the client's office and be set up remotely.
- Rebuilding. When you reload Windows on a computer, copy the package to the root of the Windows install drive. Leave the drive in until both the Windows install and the provisioning have finished.
PowerShell command
Overseer gives you a command to run on the computer. Use it when Windows is already set up and you have a remote way to run PowerShell, such as your remote management tool. The same command can be sent to many computers at once, which makes this the usual choice when you take on a new client.
Executable file
The EXE installer suits a computer you have no remote access to. You can run it yourself at the keyboard, or send it to the person using the computer to run.
Windows Sandbox
This method starts a disposable copy of Windows with the agent already in it. Use it to try out a deployment, or to investigate a failing install, without cluttering your own computer.
Automatic onboarding
Onboarding is a computer's first setup in Overseer: the computer is assigned to its client and gets its first maintenance session. A maintenance session is one complete ordered pass over one computer.
When you install the agent you can turn on automatic onboarding. With it on, the computer starts onboarding as soon as the agent connects. With it off, the computer waits in Overseer until you assign it. You make this choice at install time only.
Installing the agent
- 1Press Install agent.
- 2Choose the tenant. A tenant is the record Overseer keeps for one of your clients.
- 3Choose the install method.
- 4Decide whether automatic onboarding is on or off.
- 5Download the file, or copy the command, that Overseer produces.
- 6Run it on the computer in the way described for that method above.
- 7Confirm that the computer appears in Overseer.
If the install does not complete
- Check the operating system. The agent installs only on supported versions of Windows.
- Check the connection. The computer needs a stable internet connection to reach Overseer.
- Check your security software. Security software can block a new agent. Add the exclusions Overseer needs, then try again.
The troubleshooting guide covers less common causes.