User mode agent

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An agent installed as User Mode allows a user to interact with applications launched by a project.

User mode is an option offered for Windows agents only. The option is set during installation. It cannot be configured after installation. User mode has the following applications:
  • Collect input manually through a GUI application as the job runs. This makes the job dependent on human input.
  • Troubleshoot projects and steps. Output that is hidden during service mode operation is visible in user mode. Each step produces a console window while the step is running.
Important: Windows 7 systems. If you install or reinstall a user-mode agent on a Windows 7 system, you must reboot the operating system. The agent does not work unless the operating system is rebooted.

Keep in mind the following differences when setting up projects to use a computer in user mode:

  • The user mode agent operates as the currently logged-in user on the system. The agent is only active during the time that this user is logged into the computer. A server running a user-mode agent cannot be used if the user is logged out.
  • Steps run on a computer in user mode are visible to any users of the computer.
    • Each step opens a console window on the Windows computer where the agent is running. It displays command activity from the Management Console.
    • If you launch a GUI application from a step, the application window appears on the Windows computer where the agent is running. The Management Console waits until the application exits before continuing the step.

      Alternative: Use the start command if you want the job to continue without waiting.

  • Do not use the _USE_BFCREDS variable. Any steps that use this variable will fail.
  • The user must have the following privileges. They are typically not available by default. They must be added explicitly. 
    SeInteractiveLogonRight      
SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
SeImpersonatePrivilege       
SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege     
SeTcbPrivilege