1 Ways to delete computers
SoftwareCentral has interfaces that delete computers from ConfigMgr. All of them can also delete the computer in Active Directory. This option can be hidden or locked in the Settings menu.
| Interface | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Delete Single Computer | You delete one computer at a time, and want to see what is assigned to it first. |
| Delete Multiple Computers | You delete several computers in one operation, selected by query, collection, OU, AD group, CSV file or freehand. |
| Delete Computers in Group | You delete the computers of a computer group, and optionally the group itself. |
Deleting is permanent
A deleted computer is removed from ConfigMgr, and, if you choose, from Active Directory. It cannot be undone from SoftwareCentral.
2 Deleting in Active Directory
The Delete in Active Directory checkbox is the same in all the interfaces, and your administrator controls it in the Settings menu.
| Setting | What you see |
|---|---|
| Hide 'Delete in AD'-checkbox in the 'Delete Computer'-interfaces | The checkbox is not shown, and computers are never deleted in Active Directory from these interfaces. |
| Lock the 'Delete in AD'-checkbox in the 'Delete Computer'-interfaces so it is always checked | The checkbox is ticked and cannot be changed, so computers are always deleted in Active Directory too. |
SoftwareCentral looks for the computer account by name in all your domains. It deletes the account only when exactly one account with that name is found. If none, or more than one, is found, the account is left in place and the reason is written to the SoftwareCentral log; the computer is still deleted in ConfigMgr.
3 Best practice
- Check before you delete. Delete Single Computer shows the software assigned to the computer and its deployment status, which is the quickest way to see what the computer is used for.
- Start small. When you delete many computers, check the list under Computers to delete before you click, and open the SoftwareCentral log afterwards to see whether any computer failed.
- Delete the group only together with its computers. Delete a computer group only when you have also selected all the computers in it.
- Ask for the smallest permission. Give the delete functions only to the security roles that need them, and use Maximum number of resources in the role to limit how many computers one operation can touch.