Software usage

AM Agent also collects information about the software usage on a given computer when detecting software. This information is useful for optimizing software license purchases and renewals.

Configuration

The AM Agent uses the WinPrefetchView utility to monitor the usage of the software. However, it is not part of the agent installer, but has to be distributed manually.

Install the agent on the stations.
Download the WinPrefetchView utility and unzip it to the agent installation folder.
Make sure the Prefetcher function is enabled on the station (see below).

Switching on the Prefetcher feature

AM Agent draws software usage information from the Prefetcher operating system feature. In Windows 10/11, this feature is enabled by default. In Windows Server, however, it is disabled by default. For example, you can turn it on with the following PowerShell script:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters" /v EnablePrefetcher /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Prefetcher" /v MaxPrefetchFiles /t REG_DWORD /d 8192 /f Enable-MMAgent -OperationAPI net start sysmain

Reporting the data

Software usage data is stored in a database and can be analyzed using the Query.ExecutedSoftwareEnu view. You can use the Data queries to display the data.

For example, you can find out the usage of MS Word on all computers by SQL query:

SELECT [Computer], [User], [Last run], [Run count]
FROM Query.ExecutedSoftwareEnu
WHERE [Filename]='winword.exe'
ORDER BY [Last run]

The computer on which MS Word has been unused for the longest time and is therefore adept for license release will be listed first.

To get a list of all recorded executables, query:

SELECT [Filename]
FROM Query.ExecutedSoftwareEnu
GROUP BY [Filename]
ORDER BY [Filename]

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