Good Day,

We're are still running SEPM ver 11 (upgrade plans underway), however we need to have a client run on Windows 8.1, what are my options or best practice to approach this? I'm about to test an exported version (11.0.7101) from SEPM on Windows 8.1. But I thought I would get some advice.

Thanks in advance.

Only 12.1 RU4 and higher is supported for Win8. 11.x is NOT. See here:

About Windows 8 and Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1

SEPM 12.1 RU4 is the first supported version for Window8.1 https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/latest-symantec-endpoint-protection-released-sep-121ru4

My suggestion is to upgrade your SEPM with 12.1 RU5 because version is too old. It is latest realease and available in fileconnect

Information on 12.1 RU5(Release in English Version.)

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/symantec-has-released-new-version-symantec-endpoint-protection

Upgrading or migrating to Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1.5

Client and SEPM package is available in FileConnect. As your requirement you can install it.

https://symantec.flexnetoperations.com/

If I upgrade to 12.1 RU5, will my existing ver 11 clients still connect to SEPM (now 12) and get the policies. So basically will they still function correctly?

Yep. 12.1 can manage all version of SEP, including 11.x clients.

Thanks everyone. I'm downloading 12.1.5 right now.