> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/fortra/impacket/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Install Impacket and configure your Python environment

## Installation Methods

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="pipx (Recommended)">
    The recommended way to install Impacket system-wide is using `pipx`, which isolates the package in its own virtual environment while making the command-line tools globally available.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install pipx (if needed)">
        ```bash theme={null}
        python3 -m pip install --user pipx
        python3 -m pipx ensurepath
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install Impacket">
        Install the latest stable release:

        ```bash theme={null}
        python3 -m pipx install impacket
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Verify Installation">
        ```bash theme={null}
        python3 -c "from impacket.version import version; print(version)"
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="pip">
    For project-specific installations or when using virtual environments:

    ```bash theme={null}
    pip install impacket
    ```

    <Note>
      It's recommended to use a virtual environment to avoid conflicts with system packages.
    </Note>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="From Source">
    Install the development version from the GitHub repository:

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Clone the Repository">
        ```bash theme={null}
        git clone https://github.com/fortra/impacket.git
        cd impacket
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install from Source">
        Using pipx:

        ```bash theme={null}
        python3 -m pipx install .
        ```

        Or using pip:

        ```bash theme={null}
        pip install .
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Docker">
    Run Impacket in an isolated Docker container:

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Build the Image">
        ```bash theme={null}
        docker build -t "impacket:latest" .
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Run the Container">
        ```bash theme={null}
        docker run -it --rm "impacket:latest"
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Dependencies

Impacket requires the following Python packages, which are automatically installed:

### Core Dependencies

```txt theme={null}
pyasn1>=0.2.3
pyasn1_modules
pycryptodomex
pyOpenSSL
six
charset_normalizer
```

### Protocol-Specific Dependencies

```txt theme={null}
ldap3>=2.5,!=2.5.2,!=2.5.0,!=2.6
ldapdomaindump>=0.9.0
flask>=1.0
```

### Platform-Specific

<CodeGroup>
  ```txt Windows theme={null}
  pyreadline3  # Windows only
  ```

  ```txt Linux/macOS theme={null}
  # No platform-specific dependencies
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Python Version Requirements

Impacket supports the following Python versions:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Python 3.9" icon="python">
    Fully supported
  </Card>

  <Card title="Python 3.10" icon="python">
    Fully supported
  </Card>

  <Card title="Python 3.11" icon="python">
    Fully supported
  </Card>

  <Card title="Python 3.12" icon="python">
    Fully supported
  </Card>

  <Card title="Python 3.13" icon="python">
    Fully supported
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  Python 2.x is no longer supported. Please use Python 3.9 or later.
</Warning>

## Virtual Environment Setup

For development or testing, it's recommended to use a virtual environment:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash venv theme={null}
  # Create virtual environment
  python3 -m venv impacket-env

  # Activate (Linux/macOS)
  source impacket-env/bin/activate

  # Activate (Windows)
  impacket-env\Scripts\activate

  # Install Impacket
  pip install impacket
  ```

  ```bash conda theme={null}
  # Create conda environment
  conda create -n impacket python=3.12

  # Activate environment
  conda activate impacket

  # Install Impacket
  pip install impacket
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Upgrading Impacket

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="pipx">
    ```bash theme={null}
    python3 -m pipx upgrade impacket
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="pip">
    ```bash theme={null}
    pip install --upgrade impacket
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="ImportError: No module named 'impacket'">
    Make sure Impacket is installed in the correct Python environment:

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Check Python version
    python3 --version

    # Check if impacket is installed
    python3 -m pip list | grep impacket

    # Reinstall if necessary
    python3 -m pip install --force-reinstall impacket
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Permission denied errors">
    On Linux/macOS, you may need to use `--user` flag or run with appropriate permissions:

    ```bash theme={null}
    pip install --user impacket
    ```

    Or use pipx which handles user installations automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SSL/TLS certificate errors">
    If you encounter SSL errors, update your certificates:

    ```bash theme={null}
    pip install --upgrade certifi
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<Card title="Quick Start Guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
  Ready to write your first Impacket script? Continue to the Quick Start guide.
</Card>