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Change MAC address under Windows - this is how it works

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Change the MAC address under Windows
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
Generate suitable MAC address

The Mac address enables computers to be clearly identified. We'll show you how to change the MAC address in Windows..

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The MAC address is a twelve-digit sequence of numbers and letters. Each network adapter in a PC - for example the Ethernet card and the WLAN module - has its own fixed MAC address. A router, for example, can use this address to recognize devices in the network. But "strangers" can also read out MAC addresses, for example to understand the behavior of devices in a WLAN. In the following we will explain how you can change the MAC address of your PC.

How to find out your current MAC address under Windows, read in this manual.

Change the MAC address under Windows

Most network adapters allow you to set your own MAC address. To do this, you need to open the Windows Device Manager. This is how you do it:

1st step:

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Go to the Windows Device Manager. To do this, for example, use the start menu and search for " Device Manager ". Alternatively, press the key combination [Windows] + [R] and enter the command " devmgmt.msc ".

2nd step:

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In Device Manager, expand the Network Adapters section . Look for the corresponding entry for your network card here . Cable network devices usually have "Ethernet" in their names, and WLAN devices usually have "Wireless" or "WiFi" in their names. Right click on the device and choose Properties .

3rd step:

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In the window that is now open, switch to the " Advanced " tab . Look for an entry such as " MAC address ", " Physical address " or " Locally Administered Address " in the list below . Unfortunately, if there is no corresponding entry, you cannot change the MAC address. Now enter a new MAC address here and apply the changes by clicking on " Ok ".

You have to restart the PC so that Windows takes over the changed MAC address . Check with " ipconfig / all " whether the new MAC address is activated. In this way you can change the MAC address of your PC as often as you like..

Generate suitable MAC address

You can of course enter a new MAC address manually. However, it is easier to use a tool to calculate a new address. The MAC address generator from Minitools , for example, is helpful . You can find the generator at https://www.miniwebtool.com/mac-address-generator/ .

With a click on " Generate MAC Address " the generator creates a random MAC address that you can enter in the device manager. You can optionally switch to output without hyphens for " MAC address format ". You can copy the new MAC address directly into the appropriate field in the device manager.

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The Mac Address Generator creates suitable MAC addresses for your network devices.

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