Application Check

[kevinnaomi]

I am trying to find a way to do an inventory of applications installed on user`s workstations, then compare the results from each workstation to a list of applications known. Then generate a report that shows which workstations have applications that are not on the list. Is there any way of doing this that is not complicated?

I am using Dameware NT Utilities. I can export a list of applications installed on a workstation to excel. 1 excel sheet is created for each workstation.

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PeteH2]

As you've probably guessed, fom the lack opf replies, this is quite a complicated issue that has plagued IT depts for years. This is mainly because there are multiple ways that an application can exist:

DOS apps - may have created a seperate directory and added EXE, COM, OVL and data files there.
WIN 3 apps - probably would have created a seperate directory and added EXE, library and data files there. May have also added entries to Win.ini
WIN 9x apps - probably would have created a seperate directory under C:\PROGRAM FILES and added EXE, library and data files there and maybe some DLL's to. May have modified the registry and also added entries to Win.ini
WIN NT apps - probably would have created a seperate directory under C:\PROGRAM FILES and added EXE, library and data files there and maybe some DLL's to. Likely to have modified the registry

The application that you are using may make all these checks and come up with an educated guess as to what it thinks is installed. (if not try using Belarc advisor)

Comparison with data held in a spreadsheet could be automated, but this could miss out so many apps, so probbly best done manually.

Good Luck, this is quite a project

HTH


Pete H