Viewing installed applications across clients

[mikeruddell2]

Just wondered if any of you out there have come across a similar problem...

 

I have just moved into a new role and want to know what programs my users have installed on their pcs, as I suspect there are games and stuff that shouldn't be there and want to crack down on it.

 

Our Head Office insists on a piece of security software that stops any folders from being shared and also prevents writing to USB/CD/Floppy Disks, so this rules out checking c$/program files.

 

Thinking of adding something to a login script to show me the directory listing and save to a text file of program files?

 

Any suggestions on this, please? Obviously I don't want it to be evident that the pc has been checked and reported back (and I don't intend on visiting the station if I can avoid it!!)

 

And as for the access for installing stuff, GPOs are currently being tested!

 

Cheers

Mike

[mikeruddell2]

Oh, I forgot to mention - I don't want to spend any money doing this so standard Windows stuff, please!!

[pete]

WMI queries built via scriptomatic (google it) or using psinfo.exe -i (from sysinternals, now Microsoft) from within a script is the quick and dirty way. More scalable and long-term is something like OCS-NG or GLPI.

 

psinfo -i \\computername will give a list of all software windows installer knows about on the remote computer (which isn't exactly the same as all installed software).

 

Also, ensure you have management backing for this, especially when you find out the managers have the most games / comet cursors / rubbish installed.

[FN-GM]

I think Spiceworks will be able to do this. Not used it in ages as i dont really like it. Im sure someone who uses the software will be able to tell us more

[Butuz]

Spiceworks / Lansweeper can do this for free.

 

Butuz

[sparkeh]

Spiceworks is great at this