Welcome
Application Control
BigFix Application Control 2.x lets IT administrators centrally manage and enforce application allowlisting on Windows endpoints using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). Built on BigFix, it delivers kernel-level execution control, deny-by-default policy enforcement, TPM-backed code signing, and compliance-ready audit reporting across the enterprise.
Application Control v1.0.0 (To be deprecated)
BigFix Application Control v1.0.0 is a lightweight, native enforcement system for managing application execution across enterprise endpoints. It delivers policy-driven application control within BigFix, enabling IT administrators to enforce usage policies with real-time monitoring and streamlined exception management.
Exception Manager Guide
Designed for Exception Managers, this guide details the effective use of the ServiceNow™ tool. It highlights important features, functionalities, and best practices for managing exceptions efficiently.
Exception Manager Overview
BigFix Application Control is a lightweight enforcement system that manages application allowlisting and blocklisting through JSON policy files and integrates using the BigFix authentication mechanism. Exception managers play a critical role in the workflow: they review, approve, or deny exception requests raised by BigFix endpoint users who require temporary access to blocklisted applications or processes, and track all pending requests through ServiceNow™.
Exception Manager Audience
This guide is intended for exception managers who track, review, and approve or deny application exception requests raised by BigFix Application Control managed endpoint users. Exception managers perform these tasks through ITSM solutions such as ServiceNow™, and are responsible for three core activities: reviewing pending requests in the ITSM queue, approving or denying requests in line with company policy, and tracking approved exceptions for audit purposes.

BigFix Documentation Homepage
BigFix 11 Lifecycle Documentation
Welcome to the BigFix Lifecycle documentation, where you can find information about how to install, maintain, and use BigFix Lifecycle.
BigFix Platform
BigFix Query
Lifecycle overview
BigFix Lifecycle is single-agent, single-console technology that provides near real-time visibility into the state of endpoints.
Lifecycle guides in PDF format
Following is a list of links to the BigFix Lifecycle guides in PDF format:
Software Distribution
Use the BigFix Software Distribution applications to deploy software to endpoints across your network from a single location. Maintain control and visibility into software delivery and installation. Device owners can use the Self Service Application to manage software and other BigFix actions that are deployed to them as offers.
OS Deployment
BigFix OS Deployment, which is part of the BigFix Lifecycle Management suite, provides a consolidated, comprehensive solution to quickly deploy new workstations and servers throughout a network from a single, centralized location. This solution saves time and money, enforces a standardized and approved image, and reduces risks associated with non-compliant or insecure configurations.
Remote Control
BigFix Remote Control application helps to communicate between different components, clients, and endpoints within BigFix environment.
Power Management
Use Power Management to control, monitor, and manage conservation policies in your deployment.
Application Control
BigFix Application Control 2.x lets IT administrators centrally manage and enforce application allowlisting on Windows endpoints using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). Built on BigFix, it delivers kernel-level execution control, deny-by-default policy enforcement, TPM-backed code signing, and compliance-ready audit reporting across the enterprise.
- Application Control 2.x
  BigFix® Application Control 2.x uses Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) as its enforcement engine to apply application allowlisting and blocklisting policies at the kernel level across managed Windows endpoints — centrally managed through the BigFix® Console without relying on Group Policy Objects or separate tools.
- Migrate AC v1.0.0 to v2.x
  Migrate from the custom BAC rule engine in BigFix Application Control v1.0.0 to the Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)-based enforcement model in v2.x. This one-time, non-reversible six-step process exports existing allowlist rules for recreation as WDAC Supplemental Policies, removes v1.0.0 BAC components from endpoints, deploys a WDAC base policy, and verifies policy activation across managed endpoints.
- Application Control v1.0.0 (To be deprecated)
  BigFix Application Control v1.0.0 is a lightweight, native enforcement system for managing application execution across enterprise endpoints. It delivers policy-driven application control within BigFix, enabling IT administrators to enforce usage policies with real-time monitoring and streamlined exception management.
  - Release Notes
    A summary of new or changed features and enhancements included in BigFix Application Control.
  - Administrator Guide
    This guide is for users who want to administer Application Control.
  - User Guide
    This guide is for desktop users or end users who will use .
  - Exception Manager Guide
    Designed for Exception Managers, this guide details the effective use of the ServiceNow™ tool. It highlights important features, functionalities, and best practices for managing exceptions efficiently.
    - Exception Manager Overview
      BigFix Application Control is a lightweight enforcement system that manages application allowlisting and blocklisting through JSON policy files and integrates using the BigFix authentication mechanism. Exception managers play a critical role in the workflow: they review, approve, or deny exception requests raised by BigFix endpoint users who require temporary access to blocklisted applications or processes, and track all pending requests through ServiceNow™.
      - Exception Manager Audience
        This guide is intended for exception managers who track, review, and approve or deny application exception requests raised by BigFix Application Control managed endpoint users. Exception managers perform these tasks through ITSM solutions such as ServiceNow™, and are responsible for three core activities: reviewing pending requests in the ITSM queue, approving or denying requests in line with company policy, and tracking approved exceptions for audit purposes.
    - Approve Exception Requests in ServiceNow
      Exception managers use the ServiceNow™ service portal to review pending application exception requests raised by BigFix Application Control managed endpoint users for blocklisted applications, and to approve or reject those requests in line with company policy. This five-step process covers logging in to the service portal, navigating to My Approvals, selecting a pending request, and recording an approve or reject decision on the Approval Form. All approved exceptions are tracked in ServiceNow™ for audit and compliance purposes.
    - Support
      Access a variety of resources for additional information and support on this product, including the Knowledge Center, Support Center, Developer site, and user forums. These links provide documentation, technical assistance, and community discussions to help you maximize your use of BigFix. Refer to the listed resources for comprehensive guidance and troubleshooting.
    - Notices
  - Application Control V1 Readme
Server Automation
Server Automation provides powerful automation. You can use it to sequence automation actions in steps across multiple endpoints.
Virtual Endpoint Manager
HCL BigFix Virtual Endpoint Manager (VEM) enhances BigFix with centralized, unified endpoint management for hybrid cloud and data center environments, spanning virtual machines and physical endpoints. VEM delivers real-time endpoint visibility, policy-driven automation for configuration and compliance remediation, and consistent security controls to streamline IT operations, reduce risk, and strengthen regulatory compliance.
Profile Management
Profile Management is a WebUI-based feature of BigFix Lifecycle. It provides Security Administrators the capability to define and deploy security policies to Windows 10 and macOS devices.
BigFix Remediate
BigFix MCM

Intended Audience: BigFix Application Control Exception Manager Guide

This guide is intended for exception managers who track, review, and approve or deny application exception requests raised by BigFix Application Control managed endpoint users. Exception managers perform these tasks through ITSM solutions such as ServiceNow™, and are responsible for three core activities: reviewing pending requests in the ITSM queue, approving or denying requests in line with company policy, and tracking approved exceptions for audit purposes.

Exception Managers perform three main tasks in Application Control:

review pending exception requests in ITSM queue
approve or deny exception requests as per company policy
track and review all approved exceptions for audit purposes