Remove orphan SWID tags for uninstalled applications
When you uninstall an application, its SWID tag should also be removed. In some cases, the tag remains on the machine.
Because Flexera One ITAM treats SWID tags as both installer evidence and file evidence, the system may continue to detect the application as installed.
To prevent incorrect recognition, you must remove the SWID tags from the machine and perform a new inventory scan.
This article explains how to locate and remove orphan SWID tags, so the application no longer appears in inventory results.
- Identify the affected machine
Find a device that still shows the uninstalled application as installed. - Open the NDI file
Navigate to the inventory directory:
- Windows
C:\ProgramData\ManageSoft Corp\ManageSoft\Tracker\Inventories - UNIX/Linux
/var/opt/managesoft/tracker/inventories
Open the relevant .ndi file for the device.
- Search for the SWID tag instance path
- Use Ctrl + F to search for the instance path related to the uninstalled application.
- If you’re unsure which tag to use:
- Look for recognizable strings in the instance path. For example, a FlexNet Agent tag may include
flexerasoftware. - If multiple entries exist:
- Copy the string inside the
<Value>tag. - Decode it using a Base64 decoder to identify the product name and version.
- Remove the SWID tag
- Open File Explorer or a terminal.
- Navigate to the file path shown in the NDI file.
- Delete the SWID tag file.
- Run a new inventory scan
Start a manual scan or wait for the next scheduled reconcile cycle.
After the scan completes, the system no longer uses the removed SWID tag, and the application no longer appears as installed.
Was this helpful?
© 2026 Flexera. All rights reserved.