How to Open Cap Files

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methods

1Using Wireshark with PC or Mac

2Using Microsoft Network Monitor with PC

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References

Article Summary

This How.com.vn teaches you how to open CAP files. Since CAP files can contain lots of different information, there are a few options for opening them, including Wireshark and Microsoft Network Monitor program (PC only). CAP files are usually found as Packet Capture files, containing raw data for packet sniffing programs to analyze, but CAP files can also be compressed music files, Construct Game Development files created with Scirra Construct game editing software, CaptionMaker caption files, Code Architect project files, and PacketView Pro packet trace data files.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Wireshark with PC or Mac

1. 
   1
   Go to https://www.wireshark.org/download.html in a web browser. Popular ones include Firefox and Chrome.
2. 
   2
   Click either a Mac or Windows installer under the header “Stable Release (3.0.1)”. A pop-up box will appear for the download location.
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3. 
   3
   Click Save in your file browser. The installer will save in the location you picked in the previous step, which is most likely the Downloads folder.
4. 
   4
   Click the Wireshark Installer to launch it.

   • Click Allow changes if prompted. You will be redirected to the Installer.
5. 
   5
   Follow the Installer Wizard to install Wireshark. This includes choosing what additional services to include in the installation, like Plugins and Extensions.

   • Read and accept all terms before continuing.
6. 
   6
   Click Install. You will see a progress bar as the installation progresses.
7. 
   7
   Open Wireshark. You can find this in your Start Menu or Applications folder.
8. 
   8
   Click Open in the File tab. You will find this in the top left corner of the program window or your screen.
9. 
   9
   Navigate to your .cap file.
10. 
    10
    Double-click to open the file in Wireshark.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Microsoft Network Monitor with PC

1. 
   1
   Go to the Microsoft Network Monitor 3.4 page in a web browser. Popular ones include Firefox and Chrome.
2. 
   2
   Click Download. You’ll see this as a large orange button in the center of your browser. Clicking this will load a new page.
3. 
   3
   Choose the download you want. You can choose between NM34_x86.exe, NM34_ia64.exe, and NM34_x64.exe. You’ll most likely want a x64 file, but you can find this in Control Panel’s System display in the System and Security tab. You’ll want the ia file if you’re using a PC with Intel, since ia is an Intel-only file.
4. 
   4
   Click Next. You’ll see this as a blue button under the download summary. A pop-up box will appear for the download location.
5. 
   5
   Click Save. The installer will save in the location you picked in the previous step, which is most likely the Downloads folder.
6. 
   6
   Click the NM Installer to launch it. You can see this in the bottom of your browser or by searching your Downloads folder.
7. 
   7
   Follow the Microsoft Network Monitor Installer Setup Wizard.

   • Read and accept any agreements before continuing.
   • You can pick a setup type, including Typical, Custom, or Complete. Click one to select it.
8. 
   8
   Click Install. You will see a progress bar as the installation progresses.

   • You may need to allow access from the program to continue.
9. 
   9
   Open Microsoft Network Monitor. You can find this in your Start Menu.
10. 
    10
    Click Capture or Parser File from Open in the File tab. You will find this in the top left corner of the program window.
11. 
    11
    Navigate to your .cap file.
12. 
    12
    Double-click to open the file.
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