> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-agent/7.9-ce/cortex-xdr-agent-7.9-for-windows/troubleshooting-resources-for-windows/cortex-xdr-agents-deployed-in-advertise-mode.md).

# Cortex XDR Agents Deployed in Advertise Mode

Depending on your Cortex XDR agent release, you can install or upgrade the agent in Advertise mode.

Advertise mode is an **`msi`** property you can set manually through the **`msi`** execution command line or through a deployment profile in a third-party deployment tool such as Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), allowing the Windows Installer to advertise the availability of an application to users or other applications without actually installing the application. For more information on advertise mode, refer to the Microsoft Windows official documentation.

{% hint style="warning" %}

### Caution

When you want to install or upgrade a Cortex XDR agent on an endpoint where a Cortex XDR agent release prior to 7.0.3 was installed in Advertise mode, whether the agent is still running or was removed from the endpoint, you must first clean the endpoint from the remains of the previous installation in Advertise mode. Otherwise, if you don’t clean the endpoint, the installation/upgrade of the Cortex XDR agent will fail.
{% endhint %}

The following table summarizes the different scenarios of upgrade paths and the recommended workaround according to the different Cortex XDR agent releases:

|                                                                   | Upgrade to Agent Release 5.0.0 or Later                                                                                                         | Upgrade to Agent Release 7.0.3 or Later                                                                                                                                     | Upgrade to Agent Release 7.1.1 or Later                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Agent release 5.0.0 or later that was installed in Advertise mode | <p>Not supported, leads to undefined behavior.</p><p>Contact Palo Alto Networks Support for assistance before you can re-install the agent.</p> | <p>Not supported, you will receive an error in the agent installation log.</p><p>Contact Palo Alto Networks Support for assistance before you can re-install the agent.</p> | <p>You will receive an error in the agent installation log.</p><p>Add the <strong><code>CLEAN\_AGGRESIVLY=1</code></strong> <code>msi</code> property to you command line and proceed to install the agent.</p> |
| Agent release 7.0.3 or later that was installed in Advertise mode | N/A                                                                                                                                             | Seamless                                                                                                                                                                    | Seamless                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

{% hint style="info" %}

### Note

Palo Alto Networks recommends that you always upgrade to the latest agent release of the latest major version and use the `CLEAN_AGGRESIVLY=1` `msi` property to mitigate any Advertised mode related issues.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-agent/7.9-ce/cortex-xdr-agent-7.9-for-windows/troubleshooting-resources-for-windows/cortex-xdr-agents-deployed-in-advertise-mode.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
