Dameware 12.3 release notes
Release date: August 2, 2023
These release notes were last updated on August 31, 2023.
Dameware Remote Support includes a copy of Dameware Mini Remote Control, and at times, separate release notes may be published for each product. However, for Dameware 12.3 these release notes are the most recent for both products.
These release notes describe the new features, improvements, and fixed issues in Dameware 12.3. They also provide information about upgrades and describe workarounds for known issues.
The majority of known issues detailed below were addressed in Dameware 12.3 Hotfix 1. You can view those release notes here.
Due to improved security standards, Dameware 12.3 is not compatible with agent versions earlier than Dameware 12.2. Agents must be removed, and version 12.3 installed again through the application or re-installed via the agent installer.
Learn more
- For information on Dameware 12.3 Hotfix 1, see the release notes.
- For previous hotfixes, see Dameware Hotfixes.
- For release notes for previous Dameware versions, see Previous Version documentation.
- For information about requirements, see Dameware system requirements and port requirements. Note that without a properly configured firewall, Dameware users may experience connection and performance issues.
- For information about working with Dameware, see the Dameware Administrator Guide.
New features and improvements in Dameware
Dameware 12.3 provides user interface updates and security improvements compared to previous releases. It also incorporates a licensing framework upgrade and internationalization of the interface, including availability of German and French languages. In addition, Dameware 12.3 supports Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.
If you're upgrading from Dameware 12.2.3 or previous version, you will be presented with the option to back up your SQL CE database during your upgrade to Dameware 12.3.
Fixed issues in Dameware 12.3
Dameware 12.3 fixes the following issues.
| Case Number | Description |
|---|---|
|
00586214 |
Performance enhancement in the speed of copying agent files to remote host in Dameware. |
|
00782450 |
Dameware Remote Support can again access PCs using Intel KVM authentication. |
| 01203745 | Dameware Remote Support now runs successfully when users open Remote Command as View. |
New customer installation or upgrade
For information about installing Dameware, see the Dameware Getting Started Guides.
- Dameware Remote Support 12.2.4 and later versions feature security improvements to the saved hosts protection mechanism. As a result, you must back up your DRS registry settings and saved hosts from your previous Dameware version(s). See Back up Dameware Remote Support hosts on first launch after upgrade to versions 12.2.4 or later for additional information.
- Dameware Mini Remote Control (MRC) 12.2.2 and later versions feature security improvements to the saved hosts protection mechanism. As a result, you must back up your MRC registry settings and saved hosts from your previous Dameware version(s). See Back up Dameware Mini Remote Control settings and hosts during upgrade to versions 12.2.2 or later for additional information.
- To operate Dameware 12.2.2 or later versions on Microsoft Windows 7, an administrator must follow the instructions in the following knowledge base article to install required security fixes: https://microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=47442
For information about upgrading Dameware, see Upgrade Dameware.
- SolarWinds strongly recommends that upgrades be performed using the same admin account from the previous installation.
- You may need to perform an upgrade to Dameware using elevated privileges (as administrator).
- See the Limitations section in the Back up Dameware Mini Remote Control settings and hosts during upgrade to versions 12.2.2 or later for more details.
- See the Limitations section in the Back up Dameware Remote Support hosts on first launch after upgrade to versions 12.2.4 or later for more details.
Customers should note that Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition 4.0 SP1 can be removed from your computer only AFTER fully upgrading Dameware Central Server 12.2.3 or previous versions to version 12.3, and only if you are certain SQL Compact Edition is no longer required by any other program on the computer.
Installer List
Stand-alone installation
The stand-alone installation requires each product to be individually activated on each computer. It is most useful for organizations with a small user base or with small or decentralized IT departments. These installers are available through your customer portal.
| File name | Description |
|---|---|
| SolarWinds-Dameware-MRC-64bit-St.exe | Dameware Mini Remote Control (64-bit) v12.3 Installer, used for stand-alone mode deployment |
| SolarWinds-Dameware-MRC-32bit-St.exe | Dameware Mini Remote Control (32-bit) v12.3 Installer, used for stand-alone mode deployment |
Centralized installation
The centralized installation requires you to install and deploy at least the Dameware Central Server. License activation occurs on the server level, and users authenticate to the Central Server from any centralized Mini Remote Control installation. Centralized mode is useful for organizations with a large user base, with large or centralized IT departments, or with multiple Dameware product licenses managed from a single point. You must request these installers from your SolarWinds sales representative.
If you use the Dameware Mobile application, Dameware Mobile for Android or iOS will not work with Dameware Remote Support 12.3. It is still possible to use Dameware Mobile for iOS version 11.4 with Dameware Remote Support versions 12.2 and later.
| File name | Description |
|---|---|
| SolarWinds-Dameware-MRC-64bit.exe | Dameware Mini Remote Control (64-bit) v12.3 Installer, used for centralized mode deployment |
| SolarWinds-Dameware-MRC-32bit.exe | Dameware Mini Remote Control (32-bit) v12.3 Installer, used for centralized mode deployment |
Stand-alone Licensing (MRC licenses)
After installing the standard version of Dameware Mini Remote Control (SolarWinds-Dameware-MRC-32bit-St.exe or SolarWinds-Dameware-MRC-64bit-St.exe), you are prompted to enter the licensing information for your product.
To evaluate the software, click Continue Evaluation.
To license the software on a computer with Internet access:
- On the computer you want to license, click Start > All Programs > SolarWinds > Dameware Mini Remote Control 12.3 > Enter Licensing Information.
- Select I have internet access and an activation key.
- Access the customer portal on the SolarWinds website at: https://www.solarwinds.com/customerportal.
- Log in using your SolarWinds customer ID and password.
- Click License Management.
- Navigate to your product, choose an activation key from the Unregistered Licenses section, and then copy the activation key.
- If you cannot find an activation key in the Unregistered Licenses section, contact SolarWinds Customer Support.
- Return to the Activate Mini Remote Control window, and then enter the activation key in the Activation Key field.
- If you access Internet websites through a proxy server, click I access the internet through a proxy server, and enter its proxy address and port. (If your computer accesses the Internet through an authenticated proxy server, complete the procedure for activating without Internet access.)
- Click Next.
- Enter your email address and other registration information, and then click Next.
To license the software on a computer without Internet access:
- On the computer you want to license, click Start > All Programs > SolarWinds > Dameware Mini Remote Control 12.3 > Enter licensing information.
- Select This server does not have internet access, and then click Next.
- Click Copy Unique Machine ID.
- Paste the copied data into a text editor document.
- Transfer the document to a computer with Internet access.
- On the computer with Internet access, complete the following steps:
- Browse to https://customerportal.solarwinds.com/, and then log into the portal with your SolarWinds customer ID and password.
- Locate your product, and then click Manually Register License.
- If the Manually Register License option is not available for your product, contact SolarWinds Customer Support.
- Provide the Machine ID, and then download your license key file.
- Transfer the license key file to the computer you want to license.
- Return to the Activate MRC window, browse to the license key files, and then click Next.
Centralized Licensing (MRC licenses)
After installing the Central Server (SolarWinds-Dameware-Server.exe), activate your license on the Dameware Central Server using the centralized licensing. After the license is activated on the Central Server, you can assign licenses to users using the Administration Console.
After the Central Server is running, install or upgrade the Dameware Mini Remote Control applications, and choose Centralized Install in the Installers. Deactivate any pre-existing licenses on the computers you upgrade.
You must request the centralized version of Dameware Mini Remote Control from your SolarWinds sales representative.
To license the software on a computer with Internet access:
- Click Start > All Programs > SolarWinds > Dameware Server > Activate Dameware Licenses > Licensing.
- Click Enter Licensing information.
- Select I have internet access and an activation key.
- Access the customer portal on the SolarWinds website at: https://www.solarwinds.com/customerportal.
- Log in using your SolarWinds customer ID and password.
- Click License Management.
- Locate your product, choose an activation key from the Unregistered Licenses section, and then copy the activation key.
- If you cannot find an activation key in the Unregistered Licenses section, contact SolarWinds Customer Support.
- Return to the Activation window, and then enter the activation key in the Activation Key field.
- If you access Internet websites through a proxy server, click I access the internet through a proxy server, and enter its proxy address and port. (If your computer accesses the Internet through an authenticated proxy server, complete the procedure for activating without Internet access.)
- Click Next.
- Enter your email address and other registration information, and then click Next.
To license the software on a computer without Internet access:
- Click Start > All Programs > SolarWinds > Dameware Server > Activate Dameware Licenses > Licensing.
- Click Enter Licensing information.
- Select This server does not have internet access, and then click Next.
- Click Copy Unique Machine ID.
- Paste the copied data into a text editor document.
- Transfer the document to a computer with Internet access.
- On the computer with Internet access, complete the following steps:
- Browse to https://www.solarwinds.com/customerportal, and then log into the portal with your SolarWinds customer ID and password.
- Locate your product, and then click Manually Register License.
- If the Manually Register License option is not available for your product, contact SolarWinds Customer Support.
- Transfer the license key file to the Central Server.
- Return to the Activation window, browse to the license key file, and then click Next.
Known issues
The majority of known issues detailed below were addressed in Dameware 12.3 Hotfix 1. You can view those release notes here.
Some error messages not yet translated to German or French
With the inclusion of language support for German and French, there are a few error messages users could encounter that have not yet been translated from English.
User unable to switch between monitors during MRC connection
When a computer with MRC 12.3 installed connects to a multi-monitor remote host running an MRC agent from any recent version, the user is unable to switch to other monitors.
Resolution or workaround: If you encounter this issue, contact SolarWinds Support for immediate assistance.
User unable to take screenshots during MRC connection
Screenshots may not work when using an MRC connection.
Resolution or workaround: Use the Print Screen function or any other tool to take screenshots in Windows.
DRS may stop functioning when MRC agent is installed
Users may encounter issues when attempting to install the MRC agent using the Services view in DRS.
Resolution or workaround: Install the MRC agent using any other method, such as via direct MRC connection or MSI builder/installation.
User unable to change MRC agent language after upgrade
After upgrading to Dameware 12.3, the user may be unable to change the MRC agent language.
Resolution or workaround: Take (only) one of the following actions.
-
First uninstall the agent on the remote machine, and then install MRC agent 12.3.0.
OR -
Upgrade the MRC agent to version 12.3.0 using MSI.
OR -
Copy the missing
Localizationfolder to the agent side.
Some themes in MRC and DRS appear blacked out
After upgrading to Dameware 12.3, Ribbon and Office 2007 themes may result in black UI elements in MRC and DRS.
Resolution or workaround: Use any other theme; they provide only cosmetic and not functional differences.
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