Individual skill
analyzing-windows-amcache-artifacts
Parses and analyzes the Windows Amcache.hve registry hive to extract evidence of program execution, application installation, and driver loading for digital forensics investigations. Uses Eric Zimmerman's AmcacheParser and Timeline Explorer for artifact extraction, SHA-1 hash correlation with threat intel, and timeline reconstruction. Activates for requests involving Amcache forensics, program execution evidence, Windows artifact analysis, or application compatibility cache investigation.
internal/tools/skills/data/digital-forensics/analyzing-windows-amcache-artifacts/SKILL.md
Source commit d42f381ad34843e71a42658e5c57290c713e85af
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- Instructions only
- Last checked
- Nov 9, 2026
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- 1,329
- Repository last updated
- Nov 9, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
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- cybersecurity Repository topic
- security Repository topic
- bug-bounty Repository topic
- automation Repository topic
- autonomous-pentesting Repository topic
- ai-agent Repository topic
- ai-security Repository topic
- ethical-hacking Repository topic
- golang Repository topic
- penetration-testing Repository topic
- amcache Declared skill tag
- windows-forensics Declared skill tag
- program-execution Declared skill tag
- amcacheparser Declared skill tag
- eric-zimmerman Declared skill tag
- timeline-analysis Declared skill tag
- dfir Declared skill tag
- security Derived category
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# Analyzing Windows Amcache Artifacts
## When to Use
- Determining which programs have existed or executed on a Windows system during incident response
- Correlating SHA-1 hashes from Amcache against known malware databases (VirusTotal, CIRCL, MISP)
- Building an application installation and execution timeline for forensic investigations
- Identifying deleted executables that leave traces in Amcache even after file removal
- Investigating insider threats by documenting which portable or unauthorized applications were present
- Analyzing driver loading history to detect rootkits or malicious kernel modules
**Do not use** as sole proof of program execution. Amcache proves file existence and metadata registration, but ShimCache (AppCompatCache) and Prefetch provide stronger execution evidence. Use all three artifacts together for conclusive analysis.
## Detection Gaps & Validation