--- title: "How-to Install the Cohesity Helper App (Windows)" slug: "how-to-install-the-cohesity-helper-app-windows" updated: 2025-07-15T16:15:21Z published: 2025-07-15T16:15:21Z canonical: "kb.expedient.com/how-to-install-the-cohesity-helper-app-windows" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.expedient.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How-to Install the Cohesity Helper App (Windows) ### Introduction The Cloud Data Protection platform requires the installation of a Helper App to facilitate several backup configurations such as SQL Databases, Exchange Servers, and Physical Machines. This agent allows Cloud Data Protection to integrate natively with the previously mentioned software to ensure optimal backups are performed. ### System Requirements Please ensure the VM has up-to-date VMware Tools installed and network connectivity open on TCP Ports 111, 443, 445, 902, 2049, 3260, 5986, 50051(or 21213; see below), and 8080. Please contact Expedient to add a static route to the appropriate Cohesity cluster. By default, this external communication is blocked. ### Procedure #### Download the Cohesity Helper App 1. [Log in](/v1/docs/how-to-access-cloud-data-protection) to the respective Cloud Data Protection system 2. From the navigation bar at the top of the page, select the **Protection → Sources** tab 3. Open the add sources menu and then select the **Download Cohesity Agent** button from the bottom of the menu. 4. Select **Windows** via the blue arrow on the right 5. Move downloaded agent to the server requiring Cohesity Helper App #### Install via the Setup Wizard 1. Login to the server to which you wish to install the agent software on 2. Run the downloaded or copied executable 3. Select **Next** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750425447343.png) 4. If you are performing an upgrade, select **Yes**. Otherwise, you may skip this section. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750426446635.png) 5. **Check** both the **Volume CBT (Changed Block Tracker)** and the **File System CBT (Changed Block Tracker)** options. **![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750425570403.png)**The **Volume CBT (Changed Block Tracker) option** requires a reboot to activate; however, it will not force the operation. 6. The default installation method will utilize the **Local System account** as the service account for the helper app. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750425632508.png)If desired, you may specify a different service account by selecting **The following user account:** and entering the applicable credentials. You may also choose to assign port 21213 for the Cohesity Agent, but this should only be done for special circumstances. 7. Leave 'No Custom Certificates' as the default selection. 8. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750425743475.png)Review and click **Install** when ready. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750425989703.png) 9. The Cohesity Agent will start automatically upon completion of the install; reboot the machine when convenient to activate Volume CBT module. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1750426117791.png) #### Setting Permissions in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) If this installation of the helper app is configured to protect SQL, ensure you grant permissions to the appropriate service account managing your Agent installation. By default, this will be NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. However, this can be changed during the app installation if desired. 1. Launch **SQL Server Management Studio** and login to the appropriate instance 2. Expand **Security**, **Logins**, and select **NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM** **![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1612983876309.png)** 3. **Right Click** and select **Properties** 4. Select **Server Roles**, check the box next to **sysadmin,** and select **OK.** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/69e9f9c7-5da8-45e7-a671-4b8287f36122/Images/Documentation/image-1612983876357.png) 1. Exit **SQL Server Management Studio** 2. Open the **Task Manager** and select the **Services** tab. 3. Locate the **CohesityAgent** service, **Right Click**, and select **Restart** #### Silent Install via Powershell Alternatively, you can install the Cohesity Helper App on Windows servers by using the following parameters: | `<InstallerExeFile> [/type=onlyagent\|allcbt\|volcbt] [/verysilent] [/suppressmsgboxes] [/norestart]` | | --- | **Example Installation Commands** | `#Physical server with the additional need for MS SQL backups` `.\Cohesity_Agent_7.1.2_u4_20250529_Win_x64_Installer.exe /type=allcbt /verysilent /suppressmsgboxes /norestart` | | --- | The default name for is Cohesity_Agent__Win_x64_Installer.exe. The Cohesity Agent version is subject to change. Please, download a new Cohesity Agent file with each new set of installations. A full table of the parameters can be found below: | **Parameter** | **Description** | | --- | --- | | `/type=allcbt` | `allcbt` - Installs the Windows Agent Service, Volume CBT, and File System CBT components. *(**server restart is required)* **Note:** The `/type` parameter is supported only for a fresh installation. It is not supported for upgrades. You cannot add or remove components during an upgrade. | | */verysilent* | Suppresses the installation progress window. | | */suppressmsgboxes* | Suppresses any message boxes if */verysilent* parameter is specified. | | */norestart* | Prevents the setup from restarting the system following a successful installation or after a `Preparing to Install` failure that requests a restart. |