# Nmap

Application: Nmap Project

Also called network mapper, zenmap

Nmap Project, System

A port scanner from the Nmap Project. The process is nmap.exe. Zenmap is the old GUI. It is not Advanced IP Scanner.

## What you need to know

Nmap is a port scanner. Advanced IP Scanner is a LAN device GUI.

The Nmap Project's nmap.exe scans ports and runs scripts. Get it from nmap.org. Zenmap is the old GUI. Advanced IP Scanner is Famatech's friendlier LAN tool. Wireshark is a packet decoder.

- **What is it?**: A port scanner

  **Same as Advanced IP Scanner?**: No. That is Famatech's LAN GUI

  **Zenmap?**: The old official GUI

Feex says

If you need a real port scan on a network you are allowed to test, I would use nmap.exe from nmap.org. I would open Advanced IP Scanner for a simple LAN device list. I would not treat them as the same tool.

## What is Nmap?

nmap.exe scans hosts and ports. Zenmap.exe wraps some of that in a GUI. Advanced IP Scanner is advanced_ip_scanner.exe from Famatech. Wireshark captures packets. They are different jobs.

## If you have never used it

If you need to see which ports a host has open, Nmap is Gordon Lyon's scanner. Download it from nmap.org. The Windows command is nmap.exe. Zenmap is the old GUI. It is not Advanced IP Scanner, which is Famatech's friendlier LAN browser, and it is not Wireshark.

## What is it used for?

**Port and service scans you are allowed to run**

nmap host. Advanced IP Scanner is a clickable LAN list, not this scriptable scanner.

**NSE scripts the Nmap book documents**

Scripts are Nmap. Famatech's tool does not run NSE.

**Optional Zenmap GUI**

Zenmap is the old official GUI. Many people use the CLI or another front end now.

## Who is it for?

- Admins mapping their own network
- Students following the Nmap book
- Anyone who should not scan networks they do not own

## Current status

Nmap (1997) is a current port scanner from Nmap Project. The vendor still points Windows users at https://nmap.org/download.html.

## How old is it?

Nmap started in 1997. Advanced IP Scanner arrived later as a LAN GUI. Zenmap was the official GUI and is now dated next to the CLI. Current nmap.exe still ships from nmap.org.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

nmap.exe Windows

Zenmap GUI

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per current nmap.org Windows builds |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.   |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Rises with timing and script load

  **Network demand**: The scan is the network load

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| nmap.exe   | Scanner CLI                                              |
| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| zenmap.exe | Older official GUI, still shipped in some Windows builds |

## Startup components

nmap.exe is a CLI. It should not start with Windows.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files (x86)\Nmap\\ |
| --------------- | ----------------------------- |

## File formats

XML and grepable output (-oX, -oG), normal text

## Common problems

### Scanning without permission

That can be illegal or against policy. Advanced IP Scanner on your LAN is still a scan. Stay on networks you own or were asked to test.

### Npcap missing after install

The Windows installer can add Npcap. Wireshark uses Npcap too. They are still different apps.

## Getting unstuck

### Download from nmap.org/download.html

A random "Nmap Pro" host is not the project. Advanced IP Scanner is at advanced-ip-scanner.com if you wanted the Famatech GUI.

### Add Npcap if raw scans fail

The Nmap installer documents this. Zenmap will not fix a missing driver by itself.

### Start with nmap -sV on one host you own before you script a subnet

That is the safe learning path. Wireshark is the next tool if you need packet decode.

## Alternatives

Advanced IP Scanner for a simple LAN GUI. Wireshark for packets. Angry IP Scanner is another GUI scanner.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [nmap.org/download.html ](https://nmap.org/download.html)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [nmap.org/book/ ](https://nmap.org/book/)Vendor support                                    |
| Official site | [nmap.org/ ](https://nmap.org/)Start here, not a random exe host                           |

## Related hardware

The scan uses the NIC and CPU. A huge subnet is a policy and time problem, not a GPU need.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Wireshark: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/wireshark)[Advanced IP Scanner: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/advanced-ip-scanner)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Nmap official site ](https://nmap.org/)· Vendor product page
- [Nmap help ](https://nmap.org/book/)· Vendor support
- [Nmap download ](https://nmap.org/download.html)· Official Windows builds
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Nmap Project

  **Category**: Port scanner

  **Process**: nmap.exe

  **License**: Nmap Public Source License (NPSL)

  **First released**: 1997

  **Official site**: [nmap.org](https://nmap.org/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/nmap/)

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)