Set up and manage background agents for automated data collection.
Background agents are admin-managed tracking agents that run silently on a computer without a visible timer or UI. They are often the better choice for company-owned devices because they are easy to deploy and maintain across a large number of computers.
Once deployed, the background agent runs as a system process on the target computer. There is no visible timer, no system tray icon, and no user-facing interface. The agent quietly collects:
The agent is not completely invisible — a technical user could find the process in a task manager — but it does not present itself to the user in any noticeable way during normal use. It is the company's responsibility to inform employees if background tracking is in place, in accordance with local regulations.
All collected data is sent to Intelogos and appears in the same Dashboard, Profile, Daily, and Reports views as desktop agent data.
Background agents are often the better choice for company-owned computers. They are the easiest to deploy — especially at scale — and the easiest to maintain, since the admin handles everything centrally without relying on individual users.
Background agents tend to be a good fit when:
Only Owners and Admins can access the Background Agents page and deploy agents. Administrator rights are also required on the target machines (or within your remote management tool).
https://team.intelogos.com/backgroundagentsIn the drawer, choose:
The drawer then displays step-by-step instructions specific to your selection.
Best for deploying to multiple Windows machines via your RMM or MDM tool.
Best for deploying to a single Windows machine you have physical access to.
Best for deploying to multiple Macs via your MDM solution.
Best for deploying to a single Mac you have physical access to.
Installation codes shown in the drawer expire every 30 days. If a code fails unexpectedly, reopen the drawer to get a fresh one.
Once deployed, background agents appear in a sortable table on the Background Agents page. From here you can:
Access settings via the Background Agent Settings button (server/cog icon) in the page header. These settings apply to all background agents in your organization.
Set how long a user must be inactive before time is classified as idle:
| Category | Options |
|---|---|
| Non-communication apps (editors, browsers, etc.) | 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes; or Disable |
| Communication apps (Slack, Teams, email, etc.) | 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes; or Disable |
Choose how idle periods are handled:
When "Always save" is selected, you can set a maximum idle duration (2–12 hours) after which idle time is automatically discarded. This prevents inflated work hours from situations like leaving a computer on overnight.
Removing an agent from the Intelogos app does not uninstall the software from the device. After removing an agent in the app, follow the uninstall instructions that appear automatically:
| OS | Local | Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Download and run the uninstall script in PowerShell as Administrator | Download the uninstall script, upload to MDM, deploy to target devices |
| macOS | Copy and run the uninstall command in Terminal | Download the uninstall script, upload to MDM, execute on target devices |
| Platform | Supported |
|---|---|
| Windows | Yes |
| macOS | Yes |
| Linux | Not supported |
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Can't access the Background Agents page | Only Owners and Admins have access |
| Newly deployed device not appearing | Wait up to 20 minutes, then refresh the page |
| Installation script failed | Ensure you have admin rights; copy a fresh code from the drawer |
| Removed agent but it's still active on the device | Follow the uninstall instructions to remove the software from the computer |
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Understanding Performance →