Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Nessus Essentials on Windows 10

Nessus is a widely used vulnerability scanning tool that helps organizations identify and remediate security vulnerabilities in their networks, systems, and applications. In this article, we will provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to install Nessus Essentials, the free version of Nessus, on a Windows 10 system.

Step 1: Download Nessus Essentials

1. Open a web browser and navigate to the Tenable website (https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus/nessus-essentials).
2. Click on the “Download Nessus Essentials” button to initiate the download process.
3. You will be prompted to create a Tenable account or log in if you already have one. Follow the instructions to complete the registration/login process.
4. Once logged in, you will be able to download the Nessus Essentials installer for Windows

Step 2: Run the Installer

1. Locate the downloaded Nessus Essentials installer file on your Windows 10 system (usually in the “Downloads” folder).
2. Double-click on the installer file to launch the installation wizard.
3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to allow the installer to make changes to your system.
4. The installation wizard will guide you through the installation process. Click “Next” to proceed.

Step 3: Accept the License Agreement

1. Read the Nessus Essentials License Agreement carefully.
2. If you agree to the terms of the license agreement, select the checkbox indicating your acceptance.
3. Click “Next” to continue with the installation.

Step 4: Choose Installation Directory

1. By default, Nessus Essentials will be installed in the “C:\Program Files\Tenable\Nessus” directory.
2. If you wish to change the installation directory, click on the “Change” button and select a different location.
3. Click “Next” to proceed.

Step 5: Start the Installation

1. Review the installation summary to ensure that all settings are correct.
2. Click on the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
3. The installer will extract and install the necessary files to your system. This may take a few moments to complete.

Step 6: Complete the Installation

1. Once the installation is complete, click on the “Finish” button to exit the installer.
2. Nessus Essentials is now installed on your Windows 10 system.

Step 7: Access Nessus Web Interface

1. Open a web browser on your Windows 10 system.
2. In the address bar, type “https://localhost:8834" and press Enter.
3. You will be redirected to the Nessus login page.
4. Enter the username and password that you created during the registration process or log in with your Tenable account credentials.

5. After logging in, you will have access to the Nessus web interface, where you can configure scans, view scan results, and manage your Nessus installation.

By following this step-by-step guide, you have successfully installed Nessus Essentials on your Windows 10 system. Nessus Essentials provides a powerful set of vulnerability-scanning capabilities that you can use to enhance the security of your networks and systems. Take advantage of Nessus to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities proactively, helping to protect your organization from potential threats.