Install Npcap for YTS Control on Windows
On Windows, YTS Control relies on Npcap — a separate, third-party packet-capture driver — to see and shape local network traffic. This guide installs it from the official source. YTS Control does not bundle, redistribute or license Npcap; you install it yourself.
What this solves
Without Npcap, YTS Control on Windows can’t observe or control traffic on your local network — devices won’t be discovered and limits won’t apply. Installing Npcap gives the app the low-level network access it needs. (On Linux, this driver isn’t required.)
What you need
- A Windows PC where you have administrator rights.
- An internet connection to download the installer.
- A few minutes; a restart may be requested at the end.
Step by step
- Open the official Npcap download pageGo to the official Npcap site (opens in a new tab). Only download Npcap from its official source — not from mirrors or bundles.
- Download the latest Npcap installerChoose the current stable installer offered on that page and save it to your PC.
- Run the installer as administratorRight-click the downloaded file and choose “Run as administrator”, then accept the User Account Control prompt. Installing a driver requires elevated rights.
- Accept the default optionsThe installer’s default options are appropriate for most users. Unless you have a specific reason to change them, leave them as they are and continue.
- Finish and restart if askedComplete the installer. If it asks you to restart Windows, do so before starting YTS Control.
- Launch YTS ControlStart YTS Control (as administrator) and open the device list. It should now be able to use your network adapter. If devices don’t appear, see the device-discovery troubleshooting guide.
What you should see
After installation, Npcap appears in the Windows list of installed programs, and YTS Control can select a network adapter and begin discovering devices. No further Npcap configuration is normally needed.
Common errors
- Installer won’t proceed: it needs administrator rights — use “Run as administrator”.
- An old WinPcap is installed: a legacy WinPcap installation can conflict. Uninstall WinPcap first, then install Npcap.
- Antivirus warns about a driver install: driver installs can trigger a prompt. Only proceed if you downloaded from the official Npcap site.
- Adapters still don’t appear: restart Windows after installing, then launch YTS Control again.
Limitations to keep in mind
Npcap is a third-party component with its own licence and project; YTS Control simply requires it and does not redistribute it. Installing Npcap gives the app network access, but it doesn’t override how your network is built: guest-network client isolation, dynamic ARP inspection, a second router or NAT, and some Wi-Fi drivers can still prevent discovery or control, and IPv6 traffic is not managed.
Related YTS Control capability
With Npcap installed, you can monitor traffic by device, limit bandwidth per device, and pause a single device.