---
locale: "en"
updated_at: "2026-07-31T12:45:08.204Z"
canonical: "https://www.isdecisions.com/en/fileaudit/docs/support/faq/installation"
---

# Installation FAQ

Answers to common questions about installing FileAudit, supported operating systems, DFS paths, and remote auditing.

## What operating systems are supported by FileAudit?

FileAudit runs on supported Windows Server and Windows desktop versions. 

For the full list of supported systems, along with database and hardware requirements, see [Requirements](/fileaudit/docs/getting-started/requirements).

FileAudit is not compatible with servers running non Windows OS such as NAS devices from Synology or QNAP.

## What is installed when I use FileAudit?

FileAudit installs two components on the machine: the FileAudit console and the FileAudit service. 

The service is the engine that scans file access events in real time and manages FileAudit's work processes. 

When you audit a system remotely, nothing is installed on the audited system.

## Do I need to install FileAudit on the server I want to audit?

No. You can install FileAudit on one machine and audit other systems remotely over the network. Nothing is installed on the target system.

## How do I configure FileAudit for a DFS system?

When auditing a path on a DFS system, configure the UNC path of the physical server where the data is stored, not the DFS namespace path. 

For example, to audit a DFS share mapped to `R:\Sales_Marketing`, find the physical UNC path in the folder properties and enter that path manually in the audit configuration.

![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/122374/361x452/789f79bfe9/dfs-system.png)

![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/122374/736x373/c06f56d0f0/dfs-folder-config.png)

## How do I remove the audit configuration on a subfolder of an audited folder?

FileAudit has no built-in option to exclude a specific subfolder from an audited path. 
[Scan options](/fileaudit/docs/reference/settings#scan-options) can exclude events by executable, account, or file, but not by path.

To stop auditing a subfolder, disable audit inheritance on it in Windows:

1. Right-click the subfolder and open **Properties**.
2. Go to **Security**, then **Advanced**, then the **Auditing** tab.
3. Click **Disable inheritance** and remove the inherited audit entries.

![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/122374/765x518/6b560eb6f8/advanced-security-settings-tree.png)

Once inheritance is disabled and the entries are removed, file accesses in that subfolder are no longer recorded.

## How do I uninstall FileAudit?

First, open the **Audit configuration** view and remove the registered audited paths and monitored systems, so no configuration is left behind on your servers (see [Manage Windows audit](/fileaudit/docs/guides/operations/manage-windows-audit)). 

Then close the FileAudit console and launch the **Uninstall FileAudit** shortcut from **Start > All Programs > FileAudit**.