scan for unlicensed software on LAN

[THY02K]

any software I can use to scan workstations in my network for unlicensed/illegal/privated software? We want to make sure all software installed are licensed and we've paid for them

recommendation?

[Krishnaa]

The license mechanisms are not so same for each software, there is practically no way to determine if someone is using software without paying for it.

Recommandation: Narrow down your requirement, may be you should look for utility to gather list of installed softwares on your domain member machines.

[PeejAvery]

In addition...

Most pirated softwares work with cracked license codes. There would be no way to tell that those aren't valid unless you have a list of valid ones your own company uses. Or if the license is locked with a specific user name.

[THY02K]

What about Microsoft products only? Do they provide a tool for this?

[PeejAvery]

With Microsoft products you will run into the situation I mentioned.

[THY02K]

yea what about HP's Enterprise Discovery and Assetcenter you tried tools such as these?

[Craig Gemmill]

There are a ton of tools out there that will do a WMI based scan to determine what software is installed on client machines. After you have the list of installed software, you will have to compare it against your records to determine compliance.

Some not yet mentioned:
http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/essentials/default.mspx
http://www.gwi.com/content/csupport_windows.aspx