# Using OS Deployer with Symantec Endpoint Protection

**Last Updated On**: 27 Nov 2025  
**4 minutes read**

## Problem

After installing Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) on client computers, you may experience the following issues:

- Unable to copy the OSDAgentSetup.msi file to client computers
- Unable to create OS image and perform post deployment activities.

## Cause

You may encounter these problems if SEP does either of the following:

- Blocks the file-copy functionality
- Removes/blocks unknown .exe files from the computer by default

## Resolution

Identify the root cause and follow the relevant solution below.

### 1. Enabling the functionality to copy files from a remote location

You should enable the file-copy functionality that is blocked by Symantec Endpoint Protection. This will enable you to copy the OSDAgentSetup.msi onto specific client computers.

For more information, see:  
How to execute installation files that are copied from a remote location while using SEP?

### 2. Adding .exe file names to the Antivirus exception list

If you do not want to exclude the folder from Antivirus, you can exclude the following EXEs for smooth OS Deployment process:

#### a. OS Deployer Server installed machine

The following file located under **<OS Deployer Server Installed location>\OSDeployer_Server\bin** directory:

- dcnotificationserver.exe

#### b. Distribution server installed machine

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Program Files\DesktopCentral_DistributionServer\bin** directory:

- dcagentupgrader.exe
- dcdsinstallwizard.exe
- dcdsservice.exe
- dcreplication.exe
- dc_httpd.exe

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Zohocorp\OSDDSComponent\bin** directory:

- ImageReplicator.exe
- 7za.exe
- OSDManagerDepends.dll

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Zohocorp\OSDPXEComponent\PXEService\bin** directory:

- wrapper.exe
- osd-tftp.bat

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Zohocorp\OSDPXEComponent\PXEService\jre\bin** directory:

- java.exe

#### c. Image Creator installed machine

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Zohocorp\ManageEngine OS Deployer - Image Creator\bin** directory:

- ImageCreator.exe
- OSDMonitor.exe
- OSDManagerDepends.dll

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Zohocorp\ManageEngine OS Deployer - Image Creator** directory:

- osdagentregister.exe
- osdservicemain.exe

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Windows** directory:

- Manage.exe
- OSManagerInstallerSetup.exe

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Windows\Temp\OSD\32bit** and **64bit** directories:

- OSDAgentSetup.msi
- OSDAgentSetup.mst

#### d. Deployment machine

The following files located under **<OS Drive>\Windows\OSDPatcher** directory:

- OSDPatcher.exe
- OSDManagerDepends.dll
- dpinst.exe

### 3. Folders to be excluded

**Note**  
Excluding individual files can be complex due to updates. It is recommended to exclude complete folders. Ensure the exception policy persists even after antivirus updates.

List of folders to exclude:

- **OSDeployer_Server** - OS Deployer Server
- **DesktopCentral_DistributionServer** - OS Deployer Distribution Server
- **<OS Drive>\Program Files(x86)\Zohocorp** - Distribution Server components
- **<OS Drive>\Windows\OSDPatcher** - Deployment machine