Windows Agent

Download

Download the latest MSI installer from the portal:

1. Log in to the portal 
2. Go to Settings → Agent section
3. Click Download Windows Installer

Direct link: https://cos-api.w3i.io/downloads/agent-installer

Install

1. Copy the .msi file to the target Windows PC
2. Run the installer as Administrator
3. Follow the installation wizard
4. The agent installs to C:\Program Files\ChildOnlineSafety\
5. A Windows service named ChildOnlineSafety Agent is created and started automatically

Configuration File

After installation, the agent configuration is stored at:

C:\ProgramData\ChildOnlineSafety\config.toml

The configuration includes:

[api]
url = "https://cos-api.w3i.io"
device_id = "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
device_key = "your-device-api-key"
 
[capture]
interval_seconds = 30
jpeg_quality = 80
 
[upload]
batch_enabled = true
batch_size = 5
inter_upload_delay_ms = 500

Most settings are managed remotely via the portal’s device configuration panel. The agent syncs its configuration on each heartbeat.

Service Management

The agent runs as a Windows service. You can manage it via:

Services UI:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter
2. Find ChildOnlineSafety Agent
3. Right-click to Start, Stop, or Restart

Command line (as Administrator):

# Check status
sc query "ChildOnlineSafetyAgent"
 
# Stop the agent
sc stop "ChildOnlineSafetyAgent"
 
# Start the agent
sc start "ChildOnlineSafetyAgent"

Self-Update

The agent checks for updates on each heartbeat. When a new version is available:

1. The API responds with the latest agent version number
2. The agent downloads the new MSI from the API
3. The update is applied via msiexec (in-place upgrade)
4. The service restarts automatically

No manual intervention is required for updates.

Uninstall

1. Open Settings → Apps & Features (or Add/Remove Programs)
2. Find ChildOnlineSafety Agent
3. Click Uninstall

This removes the agent service, executable, and local data. Screenshots already uploaded to the cloud are retained according to your family’s retention settings.