Network Management

WinPcap may be safely removed in SolarWinds Platform 2024.4.1 and later

WinPcap is no longer required starting with SolarWinds Platform version 2024.4.1. This article provides guidance on how to safely uninstall WinPcap in environments that were upgraded from earlier versions where it may still be present.

First published date

4/15/2025 11:14 PM

Last published date

4/16/2025 12:19 AM

Overview

In earlier versions of the SolarWinds Platform, WinPcap was bundled and installed for use in certain diagnostic and traffic-related features. Starting with SolarWinds Platform 2024.4.1, WinPcap has been deprecated and fully replaced by Npcap in all modules, including fresh installations of polling engines and agents.

However, for environments upgraded from older versions, WinPcap may still be present on the system. In 2024.4.1 and above, it is no longer used by any SolarWinds component, and its presence is unnecessary in most cases.

This may cause confusion among administrators, especially if users are unsure whether the software is still required after an upgrade. This article clarifies that WinPcap is no longer needed for SolarWinds Platform version 2024.4.1 and later.

Product section

Network Performance Monitor

Cause

During an upgrade, components from previous installations (including WinPcap) may remain on the system. While new installations do not include WinPcap, the upgrade process does not automatically remove it to avoid interfering with other software that may rely on it.

Resolution

If your system is running SolarWinds Platform 2024.4.1 or later, and no other applications on your server require WinPcap, you may safely remove it.

To uninstall WinPcap:

  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
  2. Locate WinPcap in the list of installed programs.
  3. Select it and click Uninstall.
  4. Restart your server if prompted.

 

Note:

If you are using third-party applications that depend on WinPcap, consult with your application vendor before removing it.