What Windows port scanning freeware do you recommend for general use?

[Arlen Holder]

What Windows port scanning freeware do you recommend for general use?

In a separate thread, I needed to know what ports were open on my printer
o If you print from Windows 10 to your LAN networked printer - have you also printed from Android? How?
<https://groups.google.com/g/alt.comp.microsoft.windows/c/6ScU1H5Q43U>

Windows' "AngryIP" ipscan tool didn't correctly identify the open ports.
o Yet, the Android Port Authority port scanner appears to have done so
<https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aaronjwood.portauthority/>
Which reported the printer had the following "Open Ports"
23 - Telnet
80 - World Wide Web HTTP
280 - http-mgmt
515 - spooler
631 - IPP (Internal Printing Protocol)
9100 - PDL Data Streaming Port
As shown in this screenshot:
o <https://i.postimg.cc/L4YqhR1P/printing16.jpg>

Looking up what exists for Windows, I find there are plenty of choices:
o Microsoft PortQry command line port scanner
<https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17148>

o 12 Top Open Source Port Scanners for Windows for Host Discovery
<https://www.networkstraining.com/open-source-free-port-scanner-windows/>
o NMAP
o ZENMAP
o Solarwinds Port Scanner
o MyLANViewer Network Scanner
o Netcat
o Cenix Network Port Scanner
o Advanced Port Scanner
o Angry IP Scanner
o LAN Sweeper IP Scanner
o Komodo Slitheris Scanner
o Port Authority Mobile App
o MiTec Network Scanner

o Port Scanners for Scanning Windows/Linux Systems for Open Ports/Service
<https://www.netadmintools.com/port-scanners/>
o SolarWinds Port Scanner
o Advanced IP Scanner
o Angry IP Scanner
o Nmap
o NetCat
o LanSweeper IP Scanner
o MyLanViewer Network/IP Scanner
o Slitheris Network Discovery

o Definitive Port Scanner Guide Including the 11 Best Free Port Scanner
Tools
<https://www.comparitech.com/net-admin/free-port-checkers/>
o SolarWinds Free Port Scanner (Windows)
o Paessler Port Monitoring with PRTG (trialware, Windows Server
o Zenmap ĄV free (Windows, Linux, BSD Unix, and Mac OS)
o PortCheckers ĄV A free, online port scanning tool.
o Open Port Scanner ĄV free
o IP Fingerprints network port checker ĄV free online port scanning
o Free Port Scanner 3.5 ĄV free (Windows)
o Port Checker 1.0 ĄV free (Windows)
o What is my IP Port Scanner ĄV online, free
o TCPView ĄV process monitor, Windows, port activity
o Spiceworks IP ScannerĄVcloud-based

o 9 Best FREE IP & Ports Scanners for Open Port, IP and Service Scanning
<https://www.pcwdld.com/best-free-ip-scanners-port-service-scannin>
o SolarWinds Port Scanner
o Nmap
o Advanced IP Scanner
o Angry IP Scanner
o Free IP Scanner by Eusing
o NetCat
o LanSweeper IP Scanner
o MyLanViewer Network/IP Scanner
o Slitheris Network Discovery

o 8 Port Scanner Tools for Network Administrator
<https://geekflare.com/port-scanner-tools/>
o TCP Port Scanner
o Nmap
o Netcat
o Port Authority
o Advanced Port Scanner
o Network Scanner by MiTeC
o PortQryUI
o NetScanTools

o Top 5 Free Port Scanners for Windows 10
<https://www.minitool.com/news/free-port-scanner.html>
o Advanced Port Scanner
o GFI LanGuard
o TCP Port Scanner with Nmap
o SolarWinds Port Scanner
o WhatIsMyIP Port Scanner

o 5 PORT SCANNER SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 10
o Free Port Scanner
o PortScan
o Local Port Scanner
o Advanced Port Scanner
o Advanced LAN Scanner
<https://www.ilovefreesoftware.com/02/featured/port-scanner-software-for-windows-10.html>
--
The high cost of freeware is that a lot of help is needed to pick the best.

[JJ]

On Tue, 1 Dec 2020 18:12:19 -0000 (UTC), Arlen Holder wrote:
>
> Windows' "AngryIP" ipscan tool didn't correctly identify the open ports.
> o Yet, the Android Port Authority port scanner appears to have done so

Start by looking from different point of views.

Hint: "AngryIP" is a Windows XP era software.

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> What Windows port scanning freeware do you recommend for general use?

I do not see any definition to what you expect from such a "general use"
portscanner ...

> Windows' "AngryIP" ipscan tool didn't correctly identify the open ports.

... and no info to why you think that that AngryIP product fails (what
"didn't correctly identify" means to you).

Also, you post names six ports for the Linux product, yet the image[1] shows
just five.

[1]Why wasn't it cropped to just those results ? In fact, why did you
include the image *at all*. There is nothing in there that you didn't
already include as text in the post.


You've also posted *a number of* lists with portscanners. (though I have no
idea what a Linux list does in a question for Windows) It looks to me you
already answered your own question with that.

So, what do you actually want from us ? What is your question and/or
problem ?

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[Arlen Holder]

On Wed, 2 Dec 2020 12:01:13 +0700, JJ wrote:

> Start by looking from different point of views.
> Hint: "AngryIP" is a Windows XP era software.

Hi JJ,

As you are aware, I invest, sometimes, hours in just one post
o While most people, it seems, don't even invest five seconds

That's because, I, like you, try to add value to Usenet
o Which most of us strive to do, as purposefully helpful well-meaning adults

Thanks for your astute advice that AngryIP is WinXP-era software.
o All I want on Windows is that which I already have on Android, e.g.,
<https://i.postimg.cc/qq3fY3qT/printing17.jpg> scan all ports

That image shows _exactly_ what I am asking for in Windows freeware
o A freeware scan of all ports open on all devices on the local network

Nothing more, or less, than that.

I acknowledge the appreciable time, effort & knowledge you put into your post.
o Many people simply complain, which just proves they can't ever add value.

The problem, often, with freeware, is that the best are sometimes unheralded
o Such that they're hiding amidst the reviews which turn out to be mere shills.

o For example, ImgBurn or IrfanView or Audacity or Shotcut are clearly great
o But they might not always show up in the "top 10 best free" reviews

Hence, when reviews don't put these apps at top, only 1 thing happened (IMHO)
o Either the review is a mere (worthless) shill, or,
o The review simply sucks.

The question here is which reviews that I posted can we trust?
o The answer depends, perhaps, on helpful people's knowledge & experience.

It's easy to tell that a review sucks when you already _know_ the best apps
o But harder to tell when you don't.

Hence my question of:
o *What Windows port scanning freeware do _you_ recommend... and why?*

All I am asking is for help from helpful folks who already used scanners
o Which free network port scanner they prefer and why they prefer it

If we don't get any input, then I can take the top app from each reviews:

Looking up what exists for Windows, I find there are plenty of choices:

o 12 Top Open Source Port Scanners for Windows for Host Discovery
<https://www.networkstraining.com/open-source-free-port-scanner-windows/>

o NMAP (Windows)

o Port Scanners for Scanning Windows/Linux Systems for Open Ports/Service
<https://www.netadmintools.com/port-scanners/>

o SolarWinds Port Scanner (Windows)

o Definitive Port Scanner Guide Including the 11 Best Free Port Scanner Tools
<https://www.comparitech.com/net-admin/free-port-checkers/>
o SolarWinds Free Port Scanner (Windows)

o 9 Best FREE IP & Ports Scanners for Open Port, IP and Service Scanning
<https://www.pcwdld.com/best-free-ip-scanners-port-service-scannin>

o SolarWinds Port Scanner (Windows)

o 8 Port Scanner Tools for Network Administrator
<https://geekflare.com/port-scanner-tools/>

o TCP Port Scanner (Windows)

o Top 5 Free Port Scanners for Windows 10
<https://www.minitool.com/news/free-port-scanner.html>

o Advanced Port Scanner (Windows)

o 5 PORT SCANNER SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 10

o Free Port Scanner (Windows)

From that survey alone, it would seem to be the best is "Solar Winds".
o Hence, here's my ad hoc syslog (which I keep for all installations)...

Solarwinds Port Scanner:
o mkdir x:\installers\network\scanners\solarwinds
o <https://www.solarwinds.com/free-tools/port-scanner>
o Requires "registration"
o First Name, Last Name, Company, Country, Business Email, Business Phone
o Takes bogus information & then confirms (no matter what you've entered)
o <https://www.solarwinds.com/free-tools/port-scanner/confirmation>
o Sends email to that bogus email address
o <https://downloads.solarwinds.com/solarwinds/Release/FreeTool/SolarWinds-FT-Port_Scanner-2020.4.zip>
Name: SolarWinds-FT-Port_Scanner-2020.4.zip
Size: 113591574 bytes (108 MiB)
CRC32: 755A8577
CRC64: 6E7E62F4F0B5858D
SHA256: 2F1CC368E17DB9A4A4E2C61F410FCDFA024408DD1DB974E57A15E34ED02E04A6
SHA1: 7CF4278985318C321B152B684C28847AA65E9BDA
BLAKE2sp: E5B85C1C34C6D151B19D864F33314228F0CF56684808CCE4BA2A701574DA9EBF
o Extract & you get, among other files:
Name: portscanner.exe
Size: 773464 bytes (755 KiB)
CRC32: 32761102
CRC64: BFCE8994CD4277CA
SHA256: 0296B85B15C1679EC026EAF6DD8C2EF2155316B5A4498B1249B8F15252BE6350
SHA1: 7783824FD3CF9D8C42BFF4718A89995E24070BBB
BLAKE2sp: C865FA7C8CC9CE23860C639ABB36678FA7F51FD34FC340FCF162EF12C830D0ED
o Kill the gateway (using the normal software killswitch)
o Move the newly downloaded & unzipped program to where it belongs
o move SolarWinds-FT-Port_Scanner-2020.4 C:\app\network\scanner\solarwinds
o Make a note of the following in \solarwinds\Installers\ExecutableFiles\
o {2013_vcredist_x86.exe, npcap-0.78-r5.exe, vc_redist.x86.exe}
o Create a shortcut & populate the TaskBar cascade menu (or whatever menu)
o move portscanner.lnk c:\menu\network\scanner\portscanner.lnk
o Start the program Taskbar > menu > network > scanner > portscanner
o Agree to the access control prompt
o Agree to license and privacy agreement
o It says: Preparing application for first use...(this takes forever...)
o I should have run a time check but that was about 10 minutes of "something"
o Windows Defender Firewall complains about "CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess")
o [X:\installers\solarwinds\solarwinds-ft-port_scanner-2020.4\lib\cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe]
o Deny all access (you can't deny it so just uncheck and click away I guess)
o Why on earth does a local port scanner need to access the Internet?
o Ah, there are ads in this "freeware" tool - that's utter garbage (IMHO)!
o Run a scan but note it defaults to 1024 ports, which isn't enough
o This time I did a time stamp before & after.
o The speed of this tool is utterly atrocious compared to Port Authority!
o For that reason alone, it's utter garbage (IMHO).
o Before: 13:20:25.30
o After: (I simply gave up a half hour later when nothing showed up)
o Uninstall the tool and never fall for that sleazy tool ever again.
o Oh great! It doesn't even show up in "Apps & features" to uninstall!
o Win+R > ms-settings:appsfeatures
o What shows up is "Npcap 0.78 r5" but nothing else (what scamware!)
Display name: Npcap 0.78 r5
Publisher: Nmap Project
Version: 0.78 r5
Registry entries: 50
Files: 28
Total size: 2.9 MB
Install date: 12/3/2020 1:11:59 PM
Install package: C:\installer\solarwinds\SolarWinds-FT-Port_Scanner-2020.4\Installers\ExecutableFiles\npcap-0.78-r5.exe
Location: C:\PROGRAM FILES\NPCAP\
o Uninstalling that still leaves the entire "solarwinds" directory intact!
o I don't see any uninstaller in the SolarWinds directory
o SolarWinds doesn't show up in IObit Uninstaller 9
o SolarWinds doesn't show up in Advanced Uninstaller
o SolarWinds doesn't show up in Revo Uninstaller
o SolarWinds doesn't show up in ZSoft Uninstaller
o Manually, I looked at the four uninstall registry locations
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\]
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\]
[HKLM\SOFTWARE\]
[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\]
[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\]
o Manually, that only found SolarWinds Registry keys in:
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\SolarWinds\FreeTools\PortScanner]
o A manual search for "solarwinds" found other crap in the registry, such as:
o [HKCR\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache]
o C:\app\network\scanner\solarwinds\lib\cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe.ApplicationCompany
o C:\installer\solarwinds\solarwinds-ft-port_scanner-2020.4\lib\cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe.ApplicationCompany
o C:\installer\solarwinds\solarwinds-ft-port_scanner-2020.4\lib\cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe.FriendlyAppName
o [HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache]
o C:\app\network\scanner\solarwinds\lib\cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe.FriendlyAppName
o [HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FeatureUsage\AppSwitched]
o C:\app\network\scanner\solarwinds\portscanner.exe
o [HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Compatibility Assistant\Store]
o C:\app\network\scanner\solarwinds\portscanner.exe
o [HKCU\SOFTWARE\SolarWinds]
o etc. (lots more crap in the registry to remove until it was clean)

o I had nothing left but to manually delete the SolarWinds directory
o And to manually delete all the SolarWinds registry keys.
o What a piece of crapware this was.

Between me and the freeware aficionados on this newsgroup...
o SolarWinds portscanner doesn't seem like a tool I'd recommend for anyone.

As it plays far too many sleazy tricks (IMHO).
o So, it's time to test another in order to find a decent Windows port scanner...

But which one?

I'm back to the original question, which I ask _only_ of those who know stuff.
o Which Windows freeware port scanner do you recommend for this basic task?

--
The high cost of freeware is that a lot of help is needed to pick the best.

o The high cost of asking questions is you have to deal with the answers!

[Bill]

Arlen Holder wrote:
> The high cost of freeware is that a lot of help is needed to pick the best.
> o The high cost of asking questions is you have to deal with the answers!

Sorry, but with all due respect, that sounds a bit like "whining".
You want "the best", and you want it for "free", hmmmm
What's preventing you from writing your own program?

[Arlen Holder]

Hi "Bill",

Given that you are just a sock of the "highwinds" troll, I appreciate that
you imparted absolutely nothing of value, and, in fact, just like Rudy
Weiser and the other Char Jackson trolls, you imparted _negative_ value.

You Rudy Weiser / Char Jackson / T / micky (et al.) trolls can't add value.
o All you can ever do, is prove me right you're all infantile utter morons.

Moving forward toward the topic of adding on-topic technical value...
o I solved the problem by trial and error, following reviews prior cited

My suggestion, based on this experience, is that ZenMap/Nmap provides, at
least the same information that Android Port Authority provided, which
makes it a keeper for the Windows toolbox, in terms of quick port scans.
o Windows: ZenMap/Nmap <https://nmap.org/download.html>
o Android: Port Authority <https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aaronjwood.portauthority/>

The solution turned out to be simple, if you already knew what it was!
o Apparently nobody on this newsgroup knew this, but they will now! :)

That's the beauty of asking a question on this Usenet Windows newsgroup:
o I can update the tribal knowledge with information nobody knew before.
(Or at least, nobody with purposefully helpful intent who posted.)

Following this article which was mentioned prior in search results:

o 12 Top Open Source Port Scanners for Windows for Host Discovery
<https://www.networkstraining.com/open-source-free-port-scanner-windows/>
o NMAP

o ZENMAP
o Solarwinds Port Scanner
o MyLANViewer Network Scanner
o Netcat
o Cenix Network Port Scanner
o Advanced Port Scanner
o Angry IP Scanner
o LAN Sweeper IP Scanner
o Komodo Slitheris Scanner
o Port Authority Mobile App
o MiTec Network Scanner

I moved to the next "ten best" item that showed up in the lists as #1.
o Nmap (Zenmap) is a keeper

Here's my ad hoc syslog (which I keep of every installation for re-use).
o As always, if you can improve upon this information, please do so.

Obtain the Nmap & Zenmap (the graphical front end) installers or zip files:
o <https://nmap.org/download.html>
o <https://nmap.org/zenmap/>
o <https://nmap.org/dist/nmap-7.91-setup.exe> (includes Zenmap GUI)
o <https://nmap.org/dist/nmap-7.91-win32.zip> (command line only)

Save to your installer archive:
o x:\menu\network\scanner\nmap\.

Name: nmap-7.91-setup.exe
Size: 27278840 bytes (26 MiB)
CRC32: DBC5220C
CRC64: 90765CD4D224C792
SHA256: C4683097A2615252EEDDAB06C54872EFB14C2EE2DA8997B1C73844E582081A79
SHA1: 7474A3C2C44E612387D1FF176179187DDC1B9BFC
BLAKE2sp: B88CB5146BFAA351DE02F4FA852ACD4CFE59EEB6ACEEF34466B7FECEB9BBA060

Name: nmap-7.91-win32.zip
Size: 15303896 bytes (14 MiB)
CRC32: EF156F45
CRC64: 660AAF5D195250E8
SHA256: F497F45CD91E3A78C546C06940ACBD0B5F1FDAE2AEBAA68D8285C2F99220149B
SHA1: 462BFB0F7A7880FBDC05987994A65FC44D716654
BLAKE2sp: 1C504ECC570FB00F7FBC91E0D0883CE295E0C502EE2F5340848E0449F99832BF

I executed the Windows installer:
o x:\menu\network\scanner\nmap\nmap-7.91-setup.exe

These are the default components it will install:
(Uncheck any you do not wish to install; I left them at the default.)
o [x]Nmap Core Files
o [x]Register Nmap Path
o [x]Npcap 1.00
o [x]Networking Performance Improvements)
o [x]Zenmap (GUI Frontend)
o [x]Ndiff (Scan comparison tool)
o [x]Ncat (Modern Netcat reincarnator)
o [x]Nping (Packet generator

It wants to go in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Nmap
o I put it where it belongs, in: C:\app\network\scanner\nmap
NOTE: You define where things belong, not hundreds of others.

Agree to the npcap license popup where these are default checkboxes.
o [_]Legacy loopback support for Nmap 7.80 and older.
o [_]Restrict Npcap driver's access to Administrators only
o [_]Support raw 802.11 traffic (and monitor mode) for wireless adapters
o [x]Install Npcap in WinPcap API-compatible Mode

The penultimate step is this default checkbox list to "Create Shortcuts":
o [x]Start Menu Folder
o [x]Desktop icon

Then press [Finish]
o This creates "Nmap - Zenmap GUI.lnk" on your desktop.
o TARGET: C:\app\network\scanner\nmap\zenmap.exe

Populate your cascade accordion style Taskbar pullout menu:
o move "Nmap - Zenmap GUI.lnk" c:\menu\network\scanner\zenmap.lnk

Run Zemmap:
o Taskbar > menu > network > scanner > zenmap

You'll be presented with a Zenmap GUI asking:
Target: [<blank>]
Profile: [Intense scan]
Command: [nmap -T4 -A -v]
[Scan]

It won't take a blank target, unfortunately.
It won't take "all" either.
Nor will it take 192.168.0.1-192.168.0.255
But it will take a single IP address: 192.168.0.1
Or a static list of IP addresses: 192.168.0.1 192.168.0.255
Or, better yet, a range of IP addresses: 192.168.0.1/24

Which results in the following suggested first run:
Target: [192.168.0.1/24]
Profile: [Quick Scan]
Command: [nmap -T4 -A -v]
[Scan]

Here is a sample output for the printer on my network:
Starting Nmap 7.91 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2020-12-07 03:35 USA Standard Time
o Nmap scan report for 192.168.0.20
o Host is up (0.046s latency).
o Not shown: 95 closed ports
o PORT STATE SERVICE
o 23/tcp open telnet
o 80/tcp open http
o 515/tcp open printer
o 631/tcp open ipp
o 9100/tcp open jetdirect
o MAC Address: 00:10:83:b6:23:00 (Hewlett Packard)
o Nmap done: 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 8.28 seconds

Compare that output to that of the prior suggested Android Port Authority:
o <https://i.postimg.cc/qq3fY3qT/printing17.jpg> Printer port scan

And we have a keeper each for Android & for Windows' network scanning!
o Windows: ZenMap/Nmap <https://nmap.org/download.html>
o Android: Port Authority <https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aaronjwood.portauthority/>
--
The beauty of Usenet is people volunteer to purposefully help each other
solve problems by adding value out of the sheer goodness of their hearts.