network pc inventory

Taking network pc inventory doesn’t have to be difficult. In many cases, it doesn’t even require a commercial inventory product. One of the best ways to perform a comprehensive inventory is to use a logon or startup script. This can be as simple as a batch or command file that verifies specific items found on each system. If you’re already running Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, you can assign a startup script to every machine in your network, including both servers and workstations, through the use of Group Policy Objects. If you’re still on NT, then you’ll need to focus on the user logon script since it doesn’t support startup scripts.

If you’re not into scripts, Microsoft offers other tools that can help you gather all sorts of inventory information. For example, the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. lets you identify essential security information about each one of the computers in your network pc inventory. This information lets you know which OS version runs on a computer. Another tool, the Office Update Inventory Tool, is also available to let you identify which Office components are installed on any computer in your network.