Belarc Advisor – System Audit & Profile Tool

What is Belarc Advisor?

Belarc Advisor creates comprehensive profiles of computer hardware and software configurations, producing detailed reports that document everything installed and configured on Windows systems. The tool serves both individual users wanting to understand their systems and IT professionals who need to audit, document, and manage computer configurations across their responsibilities.

The application has provided system profiling since the early days of Windows, establishing itself as a trusted utility for configuration documentation. The detailed HTML reports Belarc Advisor generates serve as permanent records of system configurations at specific points in time, valuable for troubleshooting, upgrade planning, insurance documentation, and asset management.

Hardware Detection

Comprehensive hardware identification details every component in the system.

Processor Information

CPU details include processor model, speed, core count, and capability flags. Cache sizes at each level document processor hierarchy. Virtualization support, instruction set extensions, and other technical specifications appear in the report.

Memory Configuration

Memory reporting shows total installed RAM, memory type, speed ratings, and slot population. Individual module details identify manufacturer, part numbers, and specifications for each installed memory stick.

Memory capacity helps plan upgrades by showing available slots and maximum supported configurations.

Storage Devices

Hard drives and SSDs report with model numbers, serial numbers, capacity, and interface types. SMART health data indicates drive condition and potential issues.

Partition information shows how storage organizes across logical drives. File system types, used and free space, and volume labels detail storage organization.

Display Hardware

Graphics adapter identification includes GPU model, video memory, and driver versions. Monitor information reports display model, resolution capabilities, and connection types.

Multiple display configurations document complete video subsystem setups.

Motherboard and System

Motherboard identification includes manufacturer, model, chipset, and BIOS information. System manufacturer and model help identify OEM systems.

BIOS version documentation assists with firmware update planning and compatibility assessment.

Peripheral Devices

USB devices, audio hardware, network adapters, and other peripherals appear with model information and driver versions. Device trees show how hardware connects through the system.

Software Inventory

Complete software documentation catalogs everything installed on the system.

Operating System

Windows version, edition, build number, and installation date document the operating system foundation. Service pack and update levels show patch status.

Windows activation status and product key information assist with licensing management.

Installed Programs

Application inventory lists every installed program with version numbers and installation dates. Publisher information identifies software sources.

The comprehensive list supports license auditing, security assessment, and system documentation.

Windows Updates

Update history shows installed Windows updates with KB numbers and installation dates. Missing security updates flag potential vulnerability exposure.

This information supports patch management verification and security compliance assessment.

Software Licenses

Product key recovery retrieves license keys from installed software where they’re stored in the system. Microsoft Office, Windows, and many other applications store product keys that Belarc Advisor can recover.

This recovery capability proves invaluable when reinstalling software or transferring licenses to new systems. Lost product keys cost money to replace; Belarc Advisor often prevents this expense.

Security Assessment

Security-related information helps evaluate system protection status.

Security Software

Antivirus, firewall, and anti-malware software detection shows what security tools are installed. Version information and update status indicate whether protection remains current.

Security Configuration

Windows security settings report on firewall status, user account control configuration, and other security-relevant settings. Automatic update configuration shows whether systems receive security patches promptly.

Vulnerability Indicators

Missing security updates and outdated software versions flag potential security vulnerabilities. Security benchmark comparisons rate configurations against recommended practices.

Network Configuration

Network settings and connectivity information document network integration.

Network Adapters

Ethernet and wireless adapter details include MAC addresses, driver versions, and capability information. IP configuration shows addresses, subnet masks, and gateway settings.

Network Identification

Computer name, domain or workgroup membership, and network credentials document network identity. Active Directory information appears for domain-joined systems.

Shares and Printers

Network shares configured on the system document file sharing setup. Printer configurations including network printers detail printing capabilities.

Report Generation

The comprehensive HTML report presents collected information accessibly.

Report Format

HTML format opens in any web browser without special software. Hyperlinked navigation enables jumping between report sections. The format prints cleanly for physical documentation.

Report Content

Organized sections group related information logically. Summary sections provide quick overviews while detail sections enable deep examination.

Report Storage

Reports save locally by default, remaining private to the system owner. Optional submission to Belarc’s online database compares systems against broader populations.

Use Cases

Belarc Advisor serves various practical purposes.

System Documentation

Configuration documentation before upgrades, repairs, or replacements creates reference records. Knowing what was installed enables recreation of system configurations.

Insurance documentation provides proof of system specifications and installed software for claims purposes.

License Management

Software audit reports support license compliance verification. Product key recovery eliminates re-purchase requirements when reinstalling software.

Troubleshooting Support

Detailed system information assists technical support in diagnosing problems. Sharing reports with support personnel provides complete system context without lengthy discovery conversations.

Upgrade Planning

Hardware specifications inform upgrade compatibility assessment. Memory slots, expansion capabilities, and current component specifications guide upgrade decisions.

Asset Management

IT departments use Belarc Advisor for inventory and asset tracking. Serial numbers, model information, and configuration details populate asset management databases.

Privacy Considerations

Belarc Advisor collects detailed system information that warrants privacy awareness.

Local Processing

By default, all analysis occurs locally with reports stored on the scanned system. No information transmits externally without explicit user action.

Optional Submission

Comparison features that benchmark against other systems require optional report submission. Users choose whether to participate in aggregated comparison databases.

Sensitive Information

Reports contain product keys, hardware serial numbers, and configuration details that users may consider sensitive. Appropriate handling of generated reports protects this information.

Enterprise Alternatives

While Belarc Advisor serves personal use freely, enterprise deployments may require commercial alternatives.

Personal Use License

Free personal use licensing covers individual, non-commercial use. Businesses and organizations should review license terms for their specific use cases.

Commercial Products

Belarc offers commercial products for enterprise deployment including BelManage for centralized configuration management. Enterprise features include remote scanning, central reporting, and policy management.

Running Belarc Advisor

Using the tool involves simple execution with automatic analysis.

Installation

Small installer downloads and installs quickly. The application remains lightweight with minimal system impact.

Execution

Running Belarc Advisor initiates automatic system scanning. Analysis typically completes within minutes depending on system complexity.

Report Viewing

Upon completion, the HTML report opens automatically in the default browser. Navigation links enable moving through report sections.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP

Processor: Any modern processor

RAM: 256 MB minimum

Storage: 50 MB for installation and reports

Browser: Any web browser for viewing reports

Privileges: Administrator rights recommended for complete scanning

Conclusion

Belarc Advisor provides comprehensive system documentation through detailed hardware and software profiling that serves both immediate practical needs and long-term record-keeping purposes. The license key recovery feature alone justifies installation for anyone who might need to reinstall software in the future. IT professionals and individual users alike benefit from having complete system configurations documented in accessible HTML format. For anyone wanting to truly know what’s in their computer and have that information available when needed, Belarc Advisor remains an essential utility that has proven its value over decades of Windows computing.