
Requirements
************

In order to make Cuckoo run properly in your virtualized Windows
system, you will have to install some required software and libraries.


Install Python
==============

Python is a strict requirement for the Cuckoo guest component
(*analyzer*) in order to run properly.

You can download the proper Windows installer from the official
website. Also in this case Python 2.7 is preferred.

Some Python libraries are optional and provide some additional
features to Cuckoo guest component. They include:

   * Python Image Library: it's used for taking screenshots of the
     Windows desktop during the analysis.

They are not strictly required by Cuckoo to work properly, but you are
encouraged to install them if you want to have access to all available
features. Make sure to download and install the proper packages
according to your Python version.


Additional Software
===================

At this point you should have installed everything needed by Cuckoo to
run properly.

Depending on what kind of files you want to analyze and what kind of
sandboxed Windows environment you want to run the malware samples in,
you might want to install additional software such as browsers, PDF
readers, office suites etc. Remember to disable the "auto update" or
"check for updates" feature of any additional software.

This is completely up to you and to what your needs are. You can get
some hints by reading the Sandboxing chapter.
