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If you've ever blown up your computer and had to rebuild it, you know how hard it can be to remember everything you had installed on your previous system. You'll think you got all your old software installed. Then as you're working away one day you'll inevitably go looking for some program that you've just now realized you forgot to install. Or worse, you took that CD out of the jewel case and forgot to write down the key that allows you to install that program!
Thankfully, there's a terrific little free program available that you can run on your system to obtain a listing of all that junk you have installed. Belarc Advisor has saved a lot of people a lot of headaches finding the information they need and tracking their computer software. You can go here to download your own copy: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Now I said this was free software and it is...to individuals. However, if you want to run it on your corporate network, you need to contact Belarc.com. They don't license the Advisor to companies, but they do have other software that is used for networks that you can obtain to get similar information about your network.
Note: Corporate System Admins should also check out Greg Chapman's article and code for asset management on networks, which is free for the taking. You'll find it here: Hard and Soft Asset Management with VBScript!
After you install Belarc Advisor on your computer, simply run the program. It'll take a few seconds to make the analysis, depending on the size of your system.
But soon, your web browser will open displaying all the details of your computer, as well as all the software you have installed.
Now I can't show you more details of my report, because it does list all the installation keys for my software...not something I want published. But you will get all that important information for your system. It's a good idea to then print the report and keep it safe. It's also a good idea to run a new report every few months, or at least after you install new software or software updates.
Do it now...before you forget!
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