Installing ZAP on Windows

The Windows installation process offers multiple approaches catering to different preferences and requirements. The standard installer provides the most user-friendly experience, featuring a familiar Windows setup wizard that guides you through the installation process. Download the Windows installer from the official OWASP ZAP website, ensuring you select the appropriate architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) matching your system. The installer is digitally signed, and Windows Defender or other antivirus software may scan it before allowing execution.

Running the installer requires administrative privileges to install ZAP system-wide. The installation wizard presents several options: choosing the installation directory, creating desktop shortcuts, and associating ZAP with relevant file types. Most users can accept the default settings, though installing to a non-system drive can be beneficial if your C: drive has limited space. The installer automatically handles Java installation if needed, eliminating the need for separate Java configuration.

For command-line enthusiasts or automated deployments, ZAP offers a Windows portable version that requires no installation. Simply extract the ZIP file to your desired location and run zap.exe directly. This approach proves valuable for USB-based toolkits or environments where installation privileges are restricted. The portable version maintains all functionality while allowing multiple ZAP versions to coexist on the same system.

# Silent installation via command line
zap-2.14.0-windows-installer.exe /S /D=C:\Program Files\OWASP\ZAP

# Running portable version
cd C:\Tools\ZAP_2.14.0
zap.exe

# Running with increased memory allocation
zap.exe -Xmx4g