Windows keeps your list of your network adapters updated automatically. Whenever you install a new one, exist that a new Bluetooth connectedness, new Wi-Fi dongle, or virtual network adapter, you'll find it listed under Network Connections.

From time to fourth dimension, you may want to remove an old network adapter from the listing, to keep it tidy and to help continue track of your active adapters.

So, read on to learn how to remove a network adapter from Windows 10 and Windows eleven.

What Is a Network Adapter?

A network adapter is a piece of hardware that enables your computer to communicate with different devices. For instance, on your laptop, yous probable take a wireless network adapter to let Wi-Fi connections and perhaps an Ethernet port to allow for Ethernet connections. Y'all may also take a Bluetooth network adapter to allow for Bluetooth connections, and so on.

windows 10 network adapters network connections window

Network adapters make information technology like shooting fish in a barrel for our devices to communicate, largely automating the process of configuring and managing active network connections between devices but likewise making information technology easier to troubleshoot when things go incorrect.

Although not in this article, yous may as well see network adapters referred to equally a Network Interface Carte du jour (NIC), but these typically refer to an expansion carte plugged into a organisation, like a PCIe Wi-Fi card.

ane. Remove the Network Adapter From Network Connections

The first way to remove a network adapter from Windows is through Network Connections. In this window, you lot'll find all of your network connections, and it's a handy fashion to manage your network adapters.

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Re-create and paste Control Panel\Network and Cyberspace\Network Connections into the File Explorer accost bar and press Enter.
  3. Right-click the network adapter you want to remove and select Delete.
windows delete network adapter from network connections

The network adapter will uninstall, and you lot've removed it from your system. However, as yous may have spotted in the screenshot, the Delete button isn't always accessible. If you find the network adapter Delete button greyed out, motility to the next section.

2. Remove the Network Adapter Using the Device Manager

Next up, you lot can attempt to remove the network adapter using the Device Managing director. The Device Managing director is a Windows utility that allows you lot to meet all of the devices connected to your auto, exist that a mouse, keyboard, graphics menu, or network adapter.

windows device manager uninstall network adapter

Input Device Managing director in your Start menu search bar and select the Best lucifer.

  1. Curlicue down and unfurl Network adapters using the arrow icon.
  2. Right-click the network adapter yous desire to remove and select Uninstall device.
  3. When the warning appears, select Uninstall.
  4. Repeat as necessary.

3. Remove the Network Profile Using the Command Prompt

If the network adapter nonetheless refuses to budge, you can have another step and remove the network adapter profile from your organization using the Command Prompt.

windows command prompt show network adapters command

Input cmd in your Start menu search bar, then select Run as Administrator.

  1. Now, if you're trying to remove an Ethernet (wired) connection, input: netsh lan show profiles
  2. Merely, if you're trying to remove a Wi-Fi (wireless) connection, input: netsh wlan show profiles
  3. Received the alert that the Wired or Wireless Autoconfig Service isn't working? In your Start menu search bar, blazon services and select the Best match, then scroll downward and notice Wired AutoConfig or WLAN Autoconfig, correct-click and select Start.
  4. If you lot received the warning message, you should now enter the previous commands from stride two or three.
  5. Find the network adapter you want to remove from the list and make a note of the interface proper name found at the superlative of each profile.
  6. Next, input the following control to remove a wired network adapter interface: netsh lan delete profile interface="InterfaceName"
  7. Or, input the post-obit command to remove a wireless network adapter interface: netsh wlan delete profile interface="InterfaceName"
windows services start wired or wireless network service

At present that you've removed the network adapter profile from Windows, y'all should detect that you tin remove the network adapter from the Network Connections window or the Device Managing director.

4. Remove Network Adapter Settings Using the Windows Registry

Another option is to remove the network adapter settings using the Windows Registry. But, first, you demand to cheque the details of the adapter you want to remove.

  1. Open up the Command Prompt and input ipconfig. Detect the network adapter you want to remove, brand a annotation of the IPv4 Address and keep the Control Prompt window open.
  2. At present, input regedit in your Start menu search bar and select the Best friction match.
  3. Head to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces.
  4. Scan the list of interfaces, comparison the interface DhcpIPAddress to the IPv4 address in the Command Prompt. When you find a match, yous've institute the corresponding network adapter.
  5. Correct-click the network adapter interface proper noun (the long alphanumeric string) in the Windows Registry and select Delete.
windows uninstall network adapter windows registry

Like the Command Prompt gear up, this doesn't entirely remove the network adapter from your organisation. You'll still have to cease removing the network adapter via the Network Connections window or the Device Manager.

Related: How to Fix a Faulty Ethernet Connection in Windows 10

Is Information technology Worth Removing Old Network Adapters?

You lot don't strictly have to remove former network adapters. In some cases, Windows will practise the job for you if you upgrade or change your hardware configuration, but this is also what can pb to a list of old network adapters lurking on your organisation.

Furthermore, you lot might desire to remove virtual network adapters for quondam virtual machines yous no longer use if the host software hasn't automatically cleaned up. In my example, virtual machine software created over xx unlike virtual network adapters, filling the unabridged window with different options.

Cleaning upwardly your network adapter listing should only accept a infinitesimal of your time and can make information technology easier to figure out which connection has an event when the time arises. If there are but 1 or two different options in the Network Connections window, you'll know exactly which connection has an upshot.

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Virtually The Writer

Gavin Phillips (1047 Articles Published)

Gavin is the Junior Editor for Technology Explained, a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a caste in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football game.

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