Overview
The Automox Watchdog Service ensures that the Tray UI (agent-ui.exe) remains running for any logged-in Windows user. This service is necessary because Windows lacks built-in mechanisms to automatically restart user-scoped applications after crashes or logins.
In contrast, macOS natively supports user login items and application persistence, so the Watchdog Service is not required or included on macOS systems.
How the Watchdog Service Works on Windows
The Watchdog Service runs in the background on Windows devices.
Every 30 seconds, it checks whether the Tray UI process (agent-ui.exe) is running.
If the process is not found, the Watchdog automatically spawns a new instance of the Tray UI within the logged-in user’s session.
This ensures continuous visibility and access to the Automox Tray UI for end users.
Scope and Limitations
The Watchdog only monitors the Tray UI (agent-ui) process.
It does not monitor or restart the Automox Agent Service (amagent).
Platform Summary
| Platform | Watchdog Installed | Monitors Tray UI | Monitors Agent Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| macOS | ❌ No (native login handling) | N/A | N/A |
Additional Information
Applies to Automox Agent version 2.22.4 and later.
The Watchdog Service runs automatically and requires no configuration.
Disabling or modifying the Watchdog is not recommended, as it ensures the Tray UI remains active for user interactions.