Installed software missing from 'Installed Software' and Resource Explorer

Question

Installed software missing from 'Installed Software' and Resource Explorer

Jordon Newberry 21

I'm attempting to use the 'Inventoried Software' under 'Asset and Compliance' to get an Idea of what software is actually installed across our estate but I don't think it's accurate and I don't think it has all the software we have installed as i've found one program specifically missing.

So, I tried testing with an App I know shouldn't be on any of our builds called 'Discord'. On the device it's installed on it appears under Appwiz.cpl (Programs and Features).

If I search under 'Inventoried Software' nothing is returned from discord.

I've also searched under the Resource Explorer > Hardware History > Installed Application/ Installed Application (64)/ Installed Executable and Installed software.. Still can't find any presences of 'Discord'

I know for some software you need to set the Classes, which I have any that refer to installed checked.

Could anyone shed any light on why this might be missing or what I can try?

Thanks!

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Answer 1

Frank Dong 251 Volunteer Moderator

Just to clarify, when CM client running hardware inventory, it collect information under machine (system) context. but not user context.
So if software/application installed under user context (appears that data extract to %localappdata% and registry write to HKCU hive), although you can see it in appwiz.cpl, but hardware inventory will not collect this info.

Simply, hardware inventory collect registry under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

but not:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Jordon Newberry 21 Reputation points

2022-09-13T10:17:40.51+00:00

Ah I see.

Discord does appear under HKCU. That would explain it.

Is there changes that can be made to collect that information that you are aware of?
Frank Dong 251 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2022-09-13T10:22:18.68+00:00

No from my point of view, no. But there are other ways out. You can try to use configuration item /baseline to detect the existence of the reg key and give you compliant/NON-Compliant details. CI can run in user context, so feel free to test.
Jordon Newberry 21 Reputation points

2022-09-13T10:23:23.203+00:00

Will give it a go! Thank you
Garth 5,801 Reputation points

2022-09-13T19:14:10.867+00:00

There are ways to collect this data both free and paid solutions. The trick is to inventory the software as the user and add it tot hw Inventory.

Answer 2

CherryZhang-MSFT 6,506

Hi @Jordon Newberry ,

Thanks for your detailed description.

In my opinion, it is recommended to perform the Collect Hardware Inventory. As we can see, the Discord was installed on 05/09/2022. However
, the hardware inventory is updated regularly according to our schedule. By default, it is updated every seven days.

Looking forward to your reply.

Jordon Newberry 21 Reputation points

2022-09-13T09:28:21.617+00:00

Hi @CherryZhang-MSFT Thank you for your response.

My Default client settings are set to run a 'Hardware Inventory' daily.

The software has been installed on another device for around 3/4 weeks likely a lot longer. The virtual machine I'm testing on has had the software installed since the 05/09/2022 (So 8 days) So it should have scanned at least 7 times since then. I did manually initiate some hardware inventory cycles every other day, to try and get this software to appear. Still no joy.

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Installed software missing from 'Installed Software' and Resource Explorer

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