Advanced IP Scanner: What It Is and How to Use It

Yes, you can use Advanced IP Scanner, a free network scanning tool for Windows that finds all devices on your local network and gives you quick access to shared folders, remote desktops, and device management. You enter an IP range or let it auto-detect your network, click Scan, and it returns a list of every active IP address with its MAC address, manufacturer, hostname, and open ports. Below is a full breakdown of how it works, what it can do, and how to get the most out of it.

What Advanced IP Scanner Does

Advanced IP Scanner is a lightweight utility that performs a sweep of a range of IP addresses (for example, 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254) and reports which ones respond to network requests. It was originally developed by Famatech and has been free for personal and commercial use. The tool is often used by IT admins to inventory devices on a small office network, by home users to find a printer’s IP address, or by security enthusiasts to see what is connected to their Wi-Fi.

Beyond simply listing IPs, the software can:

• Detect the MAC address and network card manufacturer for each device
• Show open ports (common ones like 80 for HTTP, 445 for SMB, 3389 for RDP)
• Access shared folders directly from the results list
• Launch a remote desktop (RDP) session to a Windows machine with one click
• Wake-on-LAN (send a magic packet to turn on a computer)
• Export results to CSV or text files

How the Scan Works

The scanner uses a multi-threaded approach to send ICMP echo requests (ping) to every IP in the range simultaneously. When a device replies, it marks the IP as “active” and then performs a port scan on a small set of common ports. It also uses NetBIOS and other protocols to try to resolve the hostname and MAC address. This is why a scan of a full /24 subnet (254 addresses) typically completes in under a second on a modern machine.

It’s important to note that some devices (like smartphones with firewall apps) may block ICMP, so they might not appear even though they are connected. In that case, the port scan portion may still detect them if a port is open. The tool does not perform a deep vulnerability scan; it only checks a handful of well-known ports.

How to Use Advanced IP Scanner (Step-by-Step)

1. Download and install the software from the official Famatech website (it’s free, no registration required).
2. Launch the program. It will automatically detect your local IP range based on your current network adapter.
3. Click the green “Scan” button. The results will populate in a table.
4. To access a shared folder, double-click the device row and select “Open” or use the toolbar buttons.
5. To remote desktop, right-click the device and choose “Remote Control” (requires the target to have RDP enabled and credentials).
6. To save results, go to File > Export and choose CSV or text format.

If the automatic range is wrong (for example, you’re on a VPN), you can manually type a range in the IP field, like 10.0.0.1-10.0.0.254.

Common Problems and Fixes

One frequent issue is that the scanner shows a device as “offline” even though it’s working. This usually happens because the device’s firewall blocks ICMP. Try disabling the firewall temporarily or use the “Port scan” option to see if any ports respond. Another problem is that the scan doesn’t find any devices on a guest Wi-Fi network, because many routers isolate clients (AP isolation). In that case, no software can see other devices; you must disable client isolation in the router settings.

If the program crashes or runs slowly, it may be due to an outdated version or antivirus interference. Make sure you have the latest version (currently 2.5.4113.26664 as of 2024) and add an exception in your antivirus if needed. Also, running the scan as administrator can help it access more network information.

Advanced IP Scanner vs. Other Tools

There are several alternatives, each with different strengths:

• Angry IP Scanner – Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), open-source, but lacks the built-in remote desktop and shared folder integration.
• Nmap – Much more powerful, can do deep port scans, OS detection, and scripting, but has a steep learning curve and is command-line based.
• SoftPerfect Network Scanner – Similar features, but the free version is limited (you can’t export results).
• Windows built-in tools – ping and arp -a can give you a basic list of active IPs and MAC addresses, but they don’t show hostnames or open ports easily.

For most home and small business users, Advanced IP Scanner offers the best balance of simplicity and features. It’s faster than Angry IP Scanner for a full subnet scan and far more user-friendly than Nmap.

Is It Safe and Legal?

Yes, scanning your own network is completely legal and safe. The tool only sends standard network requests (ping, port connect) that any device would receive. It does not exploit vulnerabilities or attempt to break into systems. However, scanning a network you do not own or without permission may be considered unauthorized access in some jurisdictions, so only use it on networks you control or have explicit permission to test.

One misconception is that the tool can “hack” into a computer. It cannot. It only identifies open ports; it does not attempt to log in or exploit them. The remote desktop feature requires valid credentials and the target must have RDP enabled.

Limitations and What It Can’t Do

Advanced IP Scanner is not a network monitor. It gives you a snapshot at the moment of scanning, but it doesn’t continuously track devices or alert you when a new device appears. It also doesn’t show the IP-to-MAC mapping after the scan if you close the program. For continuous monitoring, you would need a tool like Fing or a router’s DHCP client list.

Another limitation is that it only scans IPv4 addresses. It does not support IPv6. If your network uses IPv6 exclusively, you won’t see those devices. Also, the port scan is limited to a predefined list of about 20 common ports; it won’t find a service running on a random high port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Advanced IP Scanner really free?

Yes, it is completely free for both personal and commercial use. There is no paid version and no feature limits. The developer, Famatech, also makes a paid remote administration tool called Radmin, but the scanner itself is free.

Can I use it on Mac or Linux?

No, Advanced IP Scanner is Windows-only. For Mac or Linux, use Angry IP Scanner (Java-based) or Nmap.

How do I find the IP range of my network?

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Look for your active adapter’s IPv4 address and subnet mask. If your IP is 192.168.1.5 with a mask of 255.255.255.0, your range is 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.254. Advanced IP Scanner usually auto-detects this.

Why does it show my phone as offline?

Most smartphones (iOS and Android) block ping requests when the screen is locked or when battery saver is on. The device is still connected, but it won’t respond to ICMP. Try unlocking the phone or using the port scan option to detect it.

Can it wake a computer from sleep?

Yes, if the computer’s motherboard supports Wake-on-LAN and it’s enabled in BIOS, you can right-click the device and select “Wake Up”. The computer must be connected to power and the network cable (or Wi-Fi with WoWLAN support).

Does it work over the internet?

No, it’s designed for local networks. You cannot scan a remote public IP range because most routers block incoming ping and port scans. For remote scanning, you would need a tool like Nmap with a VPN.

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