Nmap
Nmap (Network Mapper) is a utility designed for network discovery and security auditing. It allows system administrators and security professionals to identify live hosts, discover open ports, detect running services, and determine operating system fingerprints across local and remote networks on Windows.
nmap.org · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 7.80
- License
- Modified GNU GPLv2
- Installer type
- nullsoft
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id Insecure.Nmap -eSHA256 (file verification)
3b4d726bd366e7439367fa78a186dfa9b641d3b2ad354fd915581b6567480f94We couldn't find a macOS version of Nmap in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
You can try these instead:
We couldn't find a Linux version of Nmap in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
You can try these instead:
We couldn't find a Android version of Nmap in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
Highlights
- Network discovery to locate active hosts and devices
- Flexible port scanning methods including TCP SYN and UDP scans
- Detection of running service versions and operating system signatures
- Extensibility through the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) for vulnerability checks
Who is it for?
Designed for network administrators, penetration testers, and security researchers. It is used to audit network security, discover active devices, and map open ports across internal and external networks.
Good to know before installing
- The wide array of advanced scan types and command-line options involves a steep learning curve.
- Raw packet scanning techniques on Windows depend on appropriate packet capture drivers.
- Scanning networks without explicit authorization may trigger intrusion detection systems or violate network policies.
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button on this page or run 'winget install --id Insecure.Nmap -e' in your terminal.
- Run the downloaded installer file.
- Follow the setup wizard instructions to install Nmap alongside the required Npcap driver.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type 'nmap' to verify the installation.
Alternatives
- Wireshark
- Angry IP Scanner
- Masscan
Frequently asked questions
Does Nmap require administrator privileges on Windows?
Raw packet operations such as SYN scans and OS detection require administrator privileges and the Npcap packet capture driver.
Does Nmap include a graphical user interface on Windows?
The Windows distribution includes Zenmap, which is the official graphical frontend for Nmap.
Is scanning external networks permitted?
Scanning systems without explicit permission may violate terms of service or local laws. Always secure proper authorization before scanning.