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Npcap OEM: What Is It and Should I Uninstall It

Everything you need to know about the network monitoring software

3 min. read

Updated onNovember 4, 2024

updated onNovember 4, 2024

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Some users have posted on Microsoft’s support forum about Npcap OEM. They have noticed Npcap listed in Apps & features and wonder what exactly it is.

That’s not surprising, as unrecognized apps/programs can sometimes be viruses, and users always have the urge touninstall them. So, in this guide, we’ll look closely at what Npcap OEM is used for.

What is Npcap OEM?

The Npcap OEM is a tool for packet capture andnetwork analysis. It has so many benefits, and below are some of its features:

Npcap OEM is a third-party packet-sniffingdriver(or library) forWindowsplatforms. Thisdriverenables software to find thenetwork adapter on your PC.

That library is needed for data capturing (intercepting data packets) on networks for packet analysis. Npcap OEM is available for download at the NMAP.org website.

A free/demo version of the Npcap library and Npcap OEM come with commercial support, regular updates, and redistribution rights. The Npcap OEM license packages are primarily for commercial organizations.

You can download the latest version of the Npcap OEM using the link below.

⇒Get Npcap

Is Npcap OEM safe?

Npcap is not a virus but can still get installed on PCs without users knowing about it.

That’s because the Npcap library gets installed with software that needs it such as Cisco Packet Tracer andPaessler PRTG Network Monitor.

Therefore, some users might not recognize Npcap when they see it listed in apps.

What software needs Npcap?

Network protocol (or packet) analyzers arethe softwarerequiring the Npcap packet-sniffing library. Those applications enable users to monitor network data because they come with Npcap.

With a proper network analyzer tool, users can capture traffic andanalyzeit with reports and charts.

Wireshark is an example of one network protocol analyzer utility. That open-source software comes with the latest Npcap library version, which gets installed.

Wireshark needs Npcap to capture live traffic on a network. Ourpacket sniffer software guideprovides details for the best network analyzer tools, so be sure to check it.

Is it OK to uninstall Npcap?

If you need to utilize network protocol analyzer software onWindows10, you should notuninstallNpcap. However, users who don’t need to capture andanalyzedata packets don’t need Npcap.

So, you canuninstallNpcap if you don’t need any network protocol analyzer software manually or using anuninstaller software.

How do I uninstall Npcap?

We have reached the end of this guide. Don’t be alarmed if you notice Npcap OEM on your desktop or laptop. You can easily remove the tool if you don’t need a data packet-sniffing library.

However, make sure not to remove it if you still need any network analyzer tools installed on your computer.

If you are looking for anothernetwork performance management software, check our detailed guide for the top options available.

Feel free to share your experience with the Npcap tool with us in the comments below.

Npcap OEM: What Is It and Should I Uninstall It#

What is Npcap OEM?#

Is Npcap OEM safe?#

What software needs Npcap?#

Is it OK to uninstall Npcap?#

How do I uninstall Npcap?#