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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-07-09 · Official documentation · View source

Add a software removal candidate in Software Asset Management classic

Removal candidates reclaim software resources in your environment. They are created from reclamation rules, or can be created manually.

Before you begin

Role required: sam_user

About this task

Software reclamation is integrated with Workflow and Client Software Distribution to automate the process of uninstalling software from devices and reclaiming software rights. However, you can also create a removal candidate manually.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to All > Software Asset > Removal Candidates

  2. Select New.

  3. On the form, fill in the fields.

FieldDescription
NumberUnique removal candidate number that is automatically generated.
Assignment groupAutomatically set to the software managers group authorized to respond to removal candidates.
Assigned toPerson primarily responsible for working this task.
NameRemoval candidate name that is automatically generated. Contains the software installation display name.
DescriptionDescription of why the task exists, and what the user must do, if they receive an approval.
StateCurrent state of the removal candidate.- Attention Required - Ready - Awaiting User - Awaiting Approval - Awaiting Revocation - Closed Complete - Closed Skipped - Closed Canceled
OpenedDate the task was opened.
ClosedDate the task was closed.
JustificationJustification for becoming a removal candidate.- Low Usage \(default\) - Unallocated - Unlicensed - Restricted Software
Removal Candidate
Applies toItem type to which the reclamation rule applies.- Installed Software - Subscription Software - Engineering App License
Software installationThe software installation being reclaimed.
Engineering App LicenseNote: Only appears if Engineering App License is selected in the Applies to list.The Engineering application license that you want to reclaim.
User

Name of the user assigned to the software installation. This value can be changed so that another user receives the notification of software being uninstalled.

If the Bulk Reclamation check box is selected, this becomes a mandatory field.

Bulk Reclamation

Select this check box to reclaim multiple software installations.

Once you select this check box, the Software installation field is no longer visible. To add software installations, refer to sub steps mentioned in step 4.

Reclamation ruleThe reclamation rule that created the removal candidate.
Rights to reclaimNote: Only shown if Engineering App License is selected in the Applies to list.The number of rights that you want to reclaim. For example, you have 100 rights installed on a license server but you want to reclaim only 40 rights.
Potential savingsEstimated cost of savings if all removal candidates are in Closed Complete state, meaning the software was uninstalled and the rights were harvested \(unused rights \* average price per right from entitlements\).
Notify userCheck box for notifying the user assigned to the hardware on which the software is installed requesting permission via email to remove the software.
Configuration itemThe device on which the software is installed.
Activity
Work notesUsed to track the actions that have been performed on this task.
  1. Select Save.

    The removal candidate record is created. If you selected the Bulk Reclamation check box, perform the following sub steps to add software installations, before proceeding to the next step. If you didn't select the Bulk Reclamation check box, proceed to the next step.

    1. Select Edit in the Software Installation related list.

    2. In the Edit Members page, move the software installations from the Collection box to the Software Installation List box.

      Only the software installations that are assigned to the specified user appear in the Collection box.

    3. Select Save.

      The software installation you added appears in the Software Installations related list. The state of the removal candidate moves from Attention Required to Ready and a name is generated in the Name field. Continue to select Edit to add more software installations. If you decide to remove all software installations, then the state reverts back to Attention Required and the name no longer appears in the Name field. For the name to be generated and for the removal candidate to be in Ready state, at least one software installation must be selected in the removal candidate form.

  2. Select Reclaim.

    Once your software installation is reclaimed and removed from your system, the Software Installation column becomes empty. You can refer to the following fields on the Software installation related list to give you insights into the history of the reclaimed software installation.

    • Display name
    • Product
    • Publisher
    • Software model You may select any action button on the form to further configure the removal candidate. Action buttons are dependent on the removal candidate's justification and state.
    ActionDescription
    UpdateUpdate the removal candidate.
    Close CompleteReclaim rights and close the removal candidate.
    Close SkippedClose the removal candidate without reclaiming rights.
    DeleteDelete removal candidate.

Parent Topic:Software license usage