Where Does Nessus Store Policies and Reports?
Where Tenable Nessus keeps policies and reports on Windows and Linux computers. Exact folders are covered below.
Last updated
Nessus is vulnerability scanning with local results. Your policies, targets, and reports live in its program data. Each computer holds a working copy plus plugin cache.
Same policies mean same coverage. Exact file names shift with Pro versus Essentials builds. Keep plugins updated before audits. For moves, export policies first, then copy result files. Partial copies miss credentials that break authenticated scans on the new machine. Check the in app storage readout when sizes look wrong on different releases.
Where Nessus Scanner stores this, by platform
C:\ProgramData\Tenable\Nessus (policies plus results)
Policies and results live in Nessus program data. Copy exports plus result files for moves. Match releases before importing old policies. Keep license keys separate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Nessus policies to a new computer?
Export policies and reports from settings, then copy the export plus plugin cache notes to the new machine. Targets follow policy files. Reinstall the matching release first, since plugin formats shift between versions. Keep license keys separate from shared copies.
Does Nessus back up scan results?
Yes, in the local database per scan with results attached. The PC holds a working copy plus plugin cache. Views rebuild after import. Export Nessus result files from scans for records, since the program folder alone is working state.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.