Cannot use smc -stop after upgrading from SEP 14.3 to ESA 2.8 / SEP 16.0

[Thanh Phu Thanh Phu]

Hello everyone,

I am currently using Symantec Endpoint Security Agent (ESA) 2.8.0.31 / SEP 16.0.0 on client machines.

Previously, when the client was running SEP 14.3.12167.10000, I could temporarily stop the Symantec agent by running:

smc -stop

After entering the client password, the service would stop successfully.

However, after upgrading to ESA 2.8.0.31 / SEP 16.0.0, the same command no longer works. Windows returns the following error:

Windows cannot find 'smc'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

I have already confirmed that the policy setting below is enabled:

System Policy → Client Password Settings

Screenshot of the error is attached.

Has anyone experienced the same issue after upgrading to SEP 16.0?

• Has the smc.exe utility been removed or relocated in SEP 16?
• Is there a new method to stop the Symantec agent temporarily?
• Are there any additional policy settings required?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Sym@dm1n]

Hi,

The legacy agent command line will no longer work after the upgrade because a new agent command-line tool has been introduced. You may refer to the article below for instructions on how to use the agentcli command.

https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/symantec-security-software/endpoint-security-and-management/endpoint-security/sescloud/about-esa-sep/esa-sep-windows-command-line-options.html

[Rojopipe]

Hi,

Regarding the replacement of smc.exe with agentcli.exe, I've been trying for months to figure out why the password now has to be revealed. It should work just like smc.exe, since most of the time we're working through remote sessions and hiding the password is vital. They should consider hiding it again.

[Sym@dm1n]

the new command for stopping and starting the ESA/ SEP 16 agent service should be

agentcli service stop

agentcli service stop --password <value>

agentcli service start

[Thanh Phu Thanh Phu]

Thank you very much, it worked.