> Source: [sk171315](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk171315) # sk171315 - Automatic updates for SmartConsole | Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Solution ID | sk171315 | | Date Created | 2021-01-04 | | Last Modified | 2025-06-03 | | Technical Level | General | | Products | SmartConsole | | Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS), R81 (EOS) | | OS | Windows | ## Solution **Table of Contents** * Overview * Build Number * Directory Structure * Administrative Permissions * Disabling automatic updates * Known Limitations * Troubleshooting Overview {#Overview} -------------------- SmartConsole introduces an automatic update mechanism that keeps SmartConsole updated within the same major version (updatable SmartConsole). When an updated version is available, it is downloaded and installed automatically in the background without interrupting the current session (except for requiring administrative permissions, see below). The updated version will be used the next time SmartConsole is launched. The previous version is kept to allow uninterrupted work by the currently running SmartConsole. User settings (for example, recently connected servers and their fingerprints) are kept between updated versions. SmartConsole configuration file (`SmartConsole.exe.config`) is **not** preserved during these updates. The previous configuration can be found in the previous version's location (see the "Directory Structure" section below). Build Number {#Build Number} ---------------------------- The build number scheme has changed from a 9-digit number (for example, 995000020) to a 4-number structure (for example, 81.0.9500.20). The new number appears in the main login window and in the "**About**" window. Directory Structure {#Directory Structure} ------------------------------------------ Each update version (including the originally installed) is installed in a sub-folder in the SmartConsole installation folder (for example, `C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\R81\81.0.9500.20\`). The "**PROGRAM** " folder (for example, `C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\R81\PROGRAM\`) is now a link (an NTFS directory junction) to the latest version. **Note** - The two latest update versions are kept in the SmartConsole installation folder. Administrative Permissions {#Administrative Permissions} -------------------------------------------------------- If SmartConsole is installed in a system-protected folder (for example, "`C:\Program Files (x86)`"), administrative permissions are required to install the update. Disabling Automatic Updates {#Disabling automatic updates} ---------------------------------------------------------- It is possible to disable the automatic SmartConsole updates in one of these ways: **Using a kill-switch in the SmartConsole configuration file:** 1. Open the SmartConsole configuration file **SmartConsole.exe.config** in an advanced text editor (like Notepad++). Example: `C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\PROGRAM\SmartConsole.exe.config` 2. In the **\...\** section, add this line: `` 3. Save the changes in the file. 4. Close the file. **Using a Windows Registry key:** 1. Click the Start menu (or press the **Windows+R** keys). 2. Enter **regedit** and click that application (in the **Run** window, click **OK**). 3. In the Registry Editor, in the top field, delete the current path and paste this path: `Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CheckPoint\ClientUpdate` 4. In the left pane, click this key: **SmartConsole \** where **\** is a major version. Example: `SmartConsole R81` 5. In the right pane, right-click an empty space \> click **New** \> click **DWORD (32-bit) Value**. 6. Enter the name **AutomaticUpdateEnabled** and press Enter. 7. Double-click the new key. 8. In the **Value data** field, enter **0** and click **OK**. 9. Close the Registry Editor. Known Limitations {#Known Limitations} -------------------------------------- |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SmartConsole must be installed on a local NTFS volume. | | When you start a legacy application directly from the SmartConsole installation folder `C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\`, you must start the application from the version folder (for example: `C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\81.0.9500.5\`) and not from the "PROGRAM" folder (for example: `C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\PROGRAM\`). This prevents a possible unexpected exit of legacy applications while SmartConsole updates itself (Issue ID CIS-3291). | Troubleshooting {#Troubleshooting} ---------------------------------- * **Problem: Update is not starting long after it has been published** **Possible cause 1**: The required "PROGRAM" folder is missing. **Details**: The "PROGRAM" folder (junction) is an essential part of the update mechanism. If it does not exist, the update mechanism cannot work. **Solution**: 1. Open an elevated Windows Command Prompt (as administrator). 2. Run this command to create the required symbolic link: **Important** - Enter the path to the actual installation directory and the latest update version on your computer. `mklink /J ":\\PROGRAM" ":\\"` Example for the version R81 and the build 81.0.9500.549: `mklink /J "C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\PROGRAM" "C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\81.0.9500.549"` **Possible cause 2** : 3rd party HTTPS inspection interferes with the connection to DownloadCenter (updates.checkpoint.com). **Details** : SmartConsole refuses to create a connection to DownloadCenter (updates.checkpoint.com) if the TLS certificate is different from the expected one. **Symptom** : In the file UpdateCheck_\*.xml (file name my vary) at C:\\ProgramData\\Check Point\\SmartConsole \[version\]\\ where "State" is "NoInfo" and "UpdateCheckError" is "FDT_COULD_NOT_CONNECT" or "FDT_LOCAL_CERT_PROBLEM", e.g. ![](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/sc/SolutionsStatics/sk171315/automatic updates for SmartConsole202205301413411.png) **Solution** : Disable HTTPS Inspection for traffic to [updates.checkpoint.com](https://updates.checkpoint.com/) * **Problem: "Failure while deserializing object of type" error in Updatable SmartConsole when trying to connect to a Management Server** **Solution:** Follow [sk123152](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk123152). * **Problem: SmartConsole does not start after update or needs to be reverted.** **Solution**: By default, SmartConsole retains the two previous builds. The available builds are kept under the installation folder. To restore the previous build available build: 1. Open an elevated Windows Command Prompt (as administrator). 2. Run this command to delete the current PROGRAM hard-link: Important - Enter the path to the actual installation directory and the latest update version on your computer. `rmdir "`:\\ \\\PROGRAM" Example for version R81: `rmdir "C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\PROGRAM"` 3. Recreate the hard-link to the previous version: under the same command prompt, run: `mklink /J "`:\\ \ \\PROGRAM" "\::\\ \\\\" Example for the version R81 and the build 81.0.9500.549: `mklink /J "C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\PROGRAM" "C:\Program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\SmartConsole\R81\81.0.9500.549"` 4. Update the file *\:\\ \* \\VersionInfo with the selected build, e.g. Echo 81.0.9500.549 \> "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\CheckPoint\\SmartConsole\\R81\\VersionInfo" 5. When the "Update Available" message is displayed, click "Skip this version" to avoid updating SmartConsole again. --- # Agent Instructions This content is from the Check Point Support Center (https://support.checkpoint.com), the official knowledge base for Check Point cybersecurity products. ## Navigating This Knowledge Base - **Complete index**: [llms.txt](https://support.checkpoint.com/llms.txt) - **All SK articles**: [SecureKnowledge Sitemap](https://support.checkpoint.com/sitemaps/secureknowledge-sitemap-index.xml) - **SK article URL pattern**: `https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/{skId}` - **Markdown responses**: AI bot User-Agents automatically receive `text/markdown` content