Install Nmap on Windows | Hostvento Knowledge Base

Note: Scan only networks and hosts that you own or may test. Scanning other people's systems can be illegal.

About Nmap

Nmap is a free network scanner. It helps you with:

Network discovery. Find the devices and services on a network.
Port scanning. See which ports are open and what runs on them.
Operating system detection. Guess the OS of a host.
Vulnerability checks with the Nmap scripts.

Requirements

Windows 7 or later.
Administrator rights to install it.

Step 1: Download Nmap

Open the official Nmap website (nmap.org), go to Download and download the latest stable Windows installer (nmap-x.xx-setup.exe).

Step 2: Run the installer

Open the file in your Downloads folder.
If Windows asks for permission, click Yes. Accept the license agreement.

Step 3: Choose the components

Nmap core files (needed).
Npcap, the packet capture driver (needed for most scans).
Zenmap, the graphical interface (optional, recommended for beginners).
Ncat, Ndiff and Nping. Extra tools.

Step 4: Choose the install folder

Step 5: Add Nmap to the PATH (if it is not added)

The installer normally does it. If nmap is not found later, add the install folder (for example C:\Program Files (x86)\Nmap) to the PATH under Environment Variables.

Step 6: Finish and check

Complete the installer (it installs Npcap too).

Open a new Command Prompt:

nmap --version

First scans

Scan your own computer:

nmap localhost

Scan the common ports of a host you own:

nmap 192.168.1.10

Detect service versions:

nmap -sV 192.168.1.10

Learn more

Scan types, such as SYN and UDP scans.
Flags and filters to fine-tune a scan.
Scripts (NSE) to automate checks.

Quick recap

Download the Windows installer from nmap.org and keep Npcap ticked.
Check with nmap --version.
Scan only what you may test.