Error: "UnicodeDecodeError: 'utf-8' codec can't decode byte" When Running Host-based Firewall Import Script

Products

• Carbon Black Cloud Endpoint Standard (formerly Cb Defense)

Issue/Introduction

Using the Host-based Firewall Import/Migration Script prompts the error: "UnicodeDecodeError: 'utf-8' codec can't decode byte ... in position ...: invalid start byte"

Environment

• Windows 11: All versions
• Carbon Black Cloud: All versions
  • Host-based Firewall
  • Host-based Firewall Import Script

Cause

The windows OS language is set to something other than English and cannot decode in UTF-8.

Resolution

Change system language to English:

1. Go to Windows Settings
2. Time & language
3. Language & region
4. Administrative language settings
5. Change system locale to "English" in some form
6. Check Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language Support
7. Save settings and reboot.
8. Attempt the import script again.