How to install Mimikatz on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

To install Mimikatz on Windows 10, download the latest release from the official GentilKiwi GitHub repository. Extract the ZIP file, then run mimikatz.exe as an Administrator. Note that Windows Defender will likely flag it as malware; you must add an exclusion for the folder or disable real-time protection in a controlled lab environment.

1. What is Mimikatz and why is it used for security testing?

Mimikatz is an open-source post-exploitation tool created by Benjamin Delpy. In the world of cybersecurity, it is primarily used by penetration testers to demonstrate vulnerabilities in Windows authentication processes. It allows you to extract plaintext passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets from memory.

For students and IT professionals, understanding how to use Mimikatz in a lab environment is crucial for learning how attackers escalate privileges and move laterally within a network. It serves as a “stress test” for your security configurations.

2. Is Mimikatz safe to use on your machine?

The short answer is: No, not in a production environment. Mimikatz is classified as a “HackTool” by almost all antivirus software. If you run it on your main machine, you risk:

• Triggering security alerts: Windows Defender or EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) systems will quarantine the file immediately.
• Exposing credentials: If you are not careful, you could accidentally expose sensitive data.
• System instability: Improper use can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior in local security processes (LSASS).

Pro Tip: Always practice in a virtual machine (VM) running a clean Windows 10 installation isolated from your main network. Check out our guide on setting up a secure lab environment to ensure your practice remains safe.

3. How to download Mimikatz for security testing?

To begin the Mimikatz installation guide, you must source the tool from a trusted location. Never download “Mimikatz.exe” from random websites, as these are often bundled with real malware or backdoors.

• Step 1: Navigate to the official GitHub repository.
• Step 2: Look for the latest “Assets” section.
• Step 3: Download the mimikatz_trunk.zip file.
• Step 4: Verify the file hash if you are concerned about integrity (though for lab purposes, the official GitHub is the gold standard).

4. How to perform Mimikatz Windows Defender exclusion?

Since Windows 10 is designed to protect the LSASS (Local Security Authority Subsystem Service) process, it will block Mimikatz by default. To run it, you need to manage your security exclusions.

Steps to disable Windows Defender for penetration testing:

1. Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
2. Under Virus & threat protection settings, click Manage settings.
3. Scroll down to Exclusions and click Add or remove exclusions.
4. Click Add an exclusion and select Folder.
5. Choose the folder where you extracted the Mimikatz files.

By excluding this folder, you prevent Windows Defender from deleting your tool every time you try to launch it.

5. Step by step: How to setup Mimikatz on Windows 10

Prerequisites

• A Windows 10 test machine or isolated lab environment
• Administrator privileges
• PowerShell
• A controlled environment where security testing is authorized

Step 1 — Disable Windows Defender First (Important)

# Run PowerShell as Administrator
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $true
Set-MpPreference -DisableScriptScanning $true

# Add a folder exclusion
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Tools"

Step 2 — Download Mimikatz

# Create the folder
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path C:\Tools -Force

# Download from GitHub
$url = "https://github.com/gentilkiwi/mimikatz/releases/latest/download/mimikatz_trunk.zip"
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $url -OutFile C:\Tools\mimikatz.zip

# Extract the archive
Expand-Archive -Path C:\Tools\mimikatz.zip -DestinationPath C:\Tools\mimikatz -Force

Step 3 — Run Mimikatz

cd C:\Tools\mimikatz\x64
.\mimikatz.exe

Step 4 — Validate the Installation

For a basic installation test, you can verify that the Mimikatz command interface is working without performing credential extraction:

version
exit

The version command displays information about the running Mimikatz build, while exit closes the application.

6. How to use Mimikatz in a lab environment?

Once the tool is running, you can start executing commands. Here are a few common Mimikatz PowerShell commands for testing:

• Privilege Escalation: Type privilege::debug. This allows Mimikatz to interact with the LSASS process.
• Extracting Credentials: Type sekurlsa::logonpasswords. This command attempts to pull credentials from memory.
• Exiting: Simply type exit to close the tool.

Note: Always remember that these commands are for educational purposes. Using them on systems you do not own is illegal and unethical.

7. Troubleshooting common Mimikatz installation issues

Even with exclusions, you might encounter issues. Here is how to fix them:

8. Cleanup

After completing the security test, remove the testing files from the Windows test machine:

Remove-Item -Path C:\Tools\mimikatz -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path C:\Tools\mimikatz.zip -Force

If the test environment was intentionally modified for testing, restore its original security configuration after the assessment.

9. Conclusion

Installing Mimikatz on Windows 10 is a straightforward process, provided you understand how to manage Windows Defender exclusions and work within a controlled environment. By following these steps, you can gain a deeper insight into how authentication data is stored and why modern security defenses are so critical. Always keep your testing confined to your lab, and prioritize learning the defensive side of these vulnerabilities to become a better security professional.