Navigating the BigFix UI Software Explorer

The Software Explorer page is the central hub for all Software Distribution activity in the BigFix UI — from here you can browse software, manage packages, view pre-built Fixlets, and initiate deployments, all from a single page accessible under Explore > Software.

The BigFix UI provides a dedicated navigation path for Software Distribution. All software management tasks originate from the Software Explorer page — the single browser-based interface for viewing, adding, editing, and deploying software across your endpoint estate.

Accessing the Software Explorer

To open the Software Distribution area, navigate to Explore > Software in the left navigation panel of the BigFix UI.

Figure 1. BigFix UI Software Explorer — List of Available Software

The BigFix UI Software Explorer page showing a list of available software entries. Columns show Publisher, Software title, number of Packages, number of Files, number of Tasks, and an Edit software icon. The toolbar includes Filter, Column, and Density controls, a Delete software button, a Search field, and an Add software button.

The Software Explorer page displays a list of all Software entries accessible to the current user (based on Custom Site permissions). The list includes the following columns for each Software entry:

  • Publisher — the software vendor.
  • Software — the software title, which links to the Software Details page.
  • Packages — the total number of Packages under this Software entry.
  • Files — the total number of files across all Packages.
  • Tasks — the total number of deployment tasks across all Packages.
  • Edit software — a shortcut icon to open the software editor.

The list supports Filter, Column visibility toggles, and Density controls for viewing comfort, as well as a Search field for quick lookup.

Software Details Page

Clicking a Software title opens its Software Details page. From this page you can:

Figure 2. Software Details Page — Packages Tab and Package Contents

The Software Details page for a selected software entry, showing the software title, publisher, and creation date at the top. The Packages tab lists associated packages; each package can be expanded to view its Overview, Files, and Tasks sub-tabs. A Deployments tab and an Add package button are visible in the toolbar area.
  • View the software's title, publisher, creation date, and total package count.
  • Switch between the Packages tab (to manage package content) and the Deployments tab (to view deployment history and status).
  • Expand individual Package entries to view their Files and Tasks sub-lists.
  • Add new Packages to this Software using + Add package.
  • Edit package information or add files and tasks to an existing package.
  • Delete individual Packages or the entire Software entry with all its Packages.

Pre-built Fixlets — Software Installer Library

The Software Explorer page provides access to a library of pre-built deployment Fixlets. Click the 3 dots icon, the more options icon on the Software Explorer toolbar to open the Pre-built Fixlets page.

Figure 3. Software Explorer — Pre-built Fixlets Option

The Pre-built Fixlets page, accessed via the more options icon on the Software Explorer toolbar. The page lists predefined deployment Fixlets for common software titles from the Software Installer Library. Columns show the Fixlet name, vendor, and release date. Filter, Search, and Deploy Fixlet controls are available at the top of the list.

Pre-built Fixlets are predefined deployment tasks for common software titles. They are available when the following optional sites are enabled in your BigFix environment:

  • Software Installer Library for Windows
  • Software Installer Library for macOS

On the Pre-built Fixlets page, you can:

  • Browse, filter, and search the available Fixlets by name, vendor, or release date.
  • Select one or more Fixlets and click Deploy Fixlet to push them directly to target endpoints.
Tip:
Enabling the Software Installer Library sites is the fastest way to deploy common off-the-shelf software without building a custom Package from scratch.