Today, we’re pleased to announce that we’ll soon begin the roll-out of a brand new Remote Background Management option, offering advanced functionality such as remote PowerShell commands, event log access, a remote registry editor, key system info, and more. It means you’re able to perform many more tasks remotely on an end-point, without the need to interrupt the end-user.

In addition, we wish to advise you that we’ll be publishing an update to Managed Antivirus MAV-BD for all modern Windows Operating Systems. This update should not require a reboot. Please scroll down to the Managed Antivirus section for details.

A Brand New Remote Background Management Feature

The new release candidate (RC) Remote Background feature will automatically appear alongside the existing Remote Background option, so you can start to use the new remote access functions right away. Please upgrade the device to use the latest Windows 10.9.1 RC Agent, and download the remote access viewer to get started. Alternatively, if you’re using Take Control with the SolarWinds engine, then those devices can already connect, without the need to upgrade the agent.

We plan to start the roll out of the new feature at the end of the week, please note it may be a few days before it’s live in your account. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about the new feature…

• For devices that currently have Remote Background enabled, just click the button to see the new version:
  
• You’ll need to install the latest Windows RC Agent to use the advanced Remote Background option while it’s in RC. However, if the device is already using Take Control with the SolarWinds engine, the option’s available right away – no need to update the agent!
  
• The new Remote Background feature uses a new remote access viewer. So you’ll need to download this first. Again, if you’re already using SolarWinds Take Control, you’re already set.
  
• With the new remote access feature, you can access the command prompt and run PowerShell commands remotely:

Note that for pre-v5 PowerShell versions, remote PowerShell commands will run and show the output, but won’t display the command input.

• Access a file explorer making it easy to transfer files:

• View system info, such as event logs, installed drivers, running services and processes, installed applications, and more. When you right-click on a process or service, you can add an RMM Windows service or Process check directly to the endpoint.

• Access a remote Registry viewer and editor:

• The new Remote Background feature uses the existing roles & permissions so you’re in control of which users can access the new option:
  
• The User Audit Report logs the new Remote Background sessions separately from the existing Remote Background settings so you can tell which tool was used.

• The feature can be rolled out using the existing Remote Background settings dialog. It supports the option to require users to put in a password on session start. Note that the three settings to turn individual tabs on or off only relate to the original remote background option, not the new advanced version.

We’re very excited to bring you this significant update, which offers a number of much-requested feature enhancements, and allows you to troubleshoot, update and support customers without the need to interrupt the end-user. We encourage you to take advantage of the new offering and very much look forward to your feedback during the RC period.

Update to RMM Managed Antivirus – Bitdefender (MAV-BD)

Please be advised we will be publishing an update for Managed Antivirus MAV-BD available for all Modern Windows Operating Systems (Windows 7+/Windows Server 2008 R2+). The new Bitdefender engine version should not require any reboot. If a reboot should be needed, it will be displayed with the RMM dashboard. Ensure the delay and reboot settings in your policies are set accordingly for your customers

Enhancements

• Added support for Windows 10 Hot Fix 1 2019
• Improved the performance of the On-access scanning module.
• Added support for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.

The following issues were fixed in this build:

• In certain conditions, the Endpoint Communication Service crashed on Windows 10 with April 2018 Update (Redstone 4).
• In certain conditions, Endpoint Protected Service failed to start on endpoints after upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
• Fixed several issues related to the Advanced Threat Control module:
• High memory usage on Windows 10 Enterprise.
• High CPU usage when using TS Controller application.
• Slowdown when using Glovia 5.4 application.
• Acronis Back-up could not create snapshots.
• Interference with Arcserve Back-up solution causing BSOD on Windows 10.
• In a particular scenario, the Endpoint Security Service stopped working.

Delaying Engine Upgrades

• MAV-BD Engine upgrades can be delayed by up to 10 days in the Managed Antivirus protection policy. Upgrades can also be delayed for weekends and evening hours.  Please refer to RMM’s help file for more detail on this feature.

Handling MAV-BD Reboots

• Reboots can be automatically enabled for the upgrade process by selecting an option in the MAV policy under the “Installation Settings” tab. Automatic reboots occur within 5 minutes of taking the update. Please ensure this option is disabled if you do not want your end user machine to automatically reboot. If the automatic reboot option is not enabled, the reboot will be displayed as a blue dot within the North Pane of the RMM Dashboard, indicating that the machine needs a reboot to complete the installation.  Reboot the machine at your earliest convenience.

Determining the version on a device

The version of the MAV agent, as well as the MAV engine version, can be seen in 2 places – by looking at the Managed Antivirus Check (Bitdefender), or by running the Managed Antivirus Protection Report.

To see the version of the agent within the MAV check, navigate to the South Pane of the device and find the Managed Antivirus Check – Bitdefender and select the “More Information” link.  To see across devices, run the Managed Antivirus Protection Report under Reports > Managed Antivirus > Antivirus Protection Report. Ensure that the Agent Version and Engine Version columns are selected from the Column drop down.

Release Notes

In addition to the new Remote Background feature and Managed Antivirus announcements, we have also released a few updates to existing functionality, see the release notes below for details…

Summary for Service Release
– Service release with bug fixes
– Dashboard v2019.05.29
– No agent change

Dashboard v2019.05.29
UPDATE:  Managed Antivirus – Bitdefender build to Support Windows 10 19H1 (1903)
BUGFIX: Resolution to a data error with the Active Directory Users Query task
BUGFIX: Resolved non-functioning “Run missed backups when device comes online” feature in Backup & Recovery by always running missed backups
BUGFIX: On Network Devices tab, ensure date & time of the check execution uses the Discovery Agent time instead of UTC