Software Inventory Tool Review
Introduction
Tracking installed software across workstations manually is a time sink — yet many teams lack dedicated asset management tools. ManageEngine’s Software Inventory Tool solves this with a lightweight, free Windows utility that retrieves a full list of installed applications — including name, version, and manufacturer — from local or remote PCs in seconds.
Unlike PowerShell scripts or manual Add/Remove Programs checks, this tool delivers structured, exportable data with zero coding. In this hands-on review, we test its accuracy, remote capabilities, and real-world use cases for IT admins, MSPs, and compliance teams.
What Is the Software Inventory Tool?
This is a free desktop application from ManageEngine (part of its Free Windows Tools suite) that scans Windows machines and returns a complete inventory of installed software — pulled directly from the registry’s Uninstall keys.
Key capabilities:
- ✅ Scans local or remote Windows PCs (via admin share access)
- ✅ Retrieves: Software Name, Version, Manufacturer
- ✅ Exports results to TXT or CSV for reporting
- ✅ No agent installation or elevated domain rights required
- ✅ Integrates with other free tools like Device Info and Remote Command Prompt
It’s ideal for quick audits, licensing reconciliation, or pre-migration assessments — especially when enterprise tools like SCCM or Intune aren’t available.
Key Features
- ✅ 100% Free — No License or Signup
- ✅ Remote Scanning — Query machines across your LAN using admin credentials
- ✅ Clean, Sortable Output — Tabular view with column filtering
- ✅ Lightweight & Fast — <10 MB install; scans in <15 sec per machine
- ✅ Export-Ready — Save as TXT (human-readable) or CSV (for Excel/BI tools)
⚠️ Limitations:
✖️ Windows-only (no macOS/Linux support)
✖️ Does not detect portable apps or non-registry-installed software (e.g., .exe runners)
✖️ Requires admin share access (C$, ADMIN$) for remote scans
How to Use It (Step-by-Step)
- Download & install from https://www.manageengine.com/products/free-windows-tools/free-software-inventory-tool.html
- Launch → Enter target machine name or IP
- Provide domain/local admin credentials (if remote)
- Click Scan
- View results in table:
- Software Name
- Version
- Manufacturer
- Click Export As → choose TXT or CSV
💡 Pro Tip: Combine with the free Device Info tool to enrich reports with OS, RAM, and CPU data — full hardware + software inventory in minutes.
Use Cases / Who Should Use This Tool
- 📋 IT Audits & Compliance — Verify licensed vs. unlicensed software (e.g., Adobe, Microsoft)
- 🧾 Licensing Reconciliation — Match installs to procurement records ahead of vendor true-ups
- 🚀 Migration Planning — Identify legacy or incompatible apps before OS/hardware upgrades
- 🛡️ Security Patching — Spot outdated versions (e.g., Java 7, Firefox ESR) needing updates
- 🏢 MSPs — Run rapid assessments across client environments
It’s not a real-time monitoring solution — but perfect for point-in-time discovery.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
✔️ Truly free — unlimited scans, no user caps | ✖️ Windows-only (no cross-platform support) |
✔️ No scripting or PowerShell needed | ✖️ Misses portable/non-MSI apps (e.g., Chrome portable, standalone tools) |
✔️ Remote support via standard admin shares | ✖️ No scheduling or automated reporting |
✔️ CSV export enables pivot tables & dashboards | ✖️ UI is functional but dated (classic Windows app) |
Is It Free?
Yes — 100% free forever, even for commercial and enterprise use. No license key, no telemetry, no upsell.
Alternatives
- PowerShell (Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\...\Uninstall\*) — Free & flexible, but error-prone and slow at scale
- PDQ Inventory (Free Tier) — More features, but limited to 25 devices
- Belarc Advisor — Detailed local audit, but no remote or export automation
For simplicity, speed, and remote readiness in Windows environments, ManageEngine’s tool remains a top free choice.
Final Verdict
⭐ 4.5 / 5 — A high-utility, low-effort tool that delivers immediate ROI for IT teams managing Windows estates. Its clean output, remote capability, and zero-cost model make it essential for audits, migrations, and licensing hygiene — especially in SMBs and MSPs.
Highly recommended as a first-line software discovery utility.
FAQ
Q1: Does it require admin rights on the target machine?
A: For remote scans, yes — you need credentials with access to \\machine\C$. For local scans, standard user rights suffice.
Q2: Can it detect Microsoft Store (UWP) apps?
A: Partially — some UWP apps appear; others (especially sideloaded) may be missed. Focus is on traditional Win32/MSI installs.
Q3: Is there a command-line version?
A: No — GUI-only. But you can trigger scans via scheduled tasks manually.
Q4: How accurate is version detection?
A: High for MSI-based installs. Some apps (e.g., Zoom, Slack) may report generic versions — verify critical entries manually.
Q5: Can I scan multiple machines at once?
A: Not natively — but you can run multiple instances or script sequential scans using the tool’s silent-mode flags (undocumented; use /machine:name).