A network adapter (aka: Network Interface Controller (NIC) ) is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to the Internet or local area network.
You can rename a network adapter to what you want instead of the default name given to it.
This tutorial will show you how to rename network adapters in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
You must be signed in as an administrator to rename network adapters.
Contents
- Option One: Rename Network Adapter in Settings
- Option Two: Rename Network Adapter in Network Connections
- Option Three: Rename Network Adapter using netsh command
- Option Four: Rename Network Adapter in PowerShell
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Advanced network settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)
Open Advanced network settings
3 Click/tap on the network adapter (ex: "Wi-Fi") you want to rename to expand it open, and click/tap on Rename. (see screenshot below)
4 Type a new name you want for this network adapter, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)
5 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
2 Click/tap on the Change adapter settings link in Network and Sharing Center. (see screenshot below)
3 Right click on the network adapter (ex: "Wi-Fi") you want to rename, and click/tap on Rename. (see screenshot below)
4 Type a new name you want for this network adapter, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
5 When finished, you can close Network Connections and Control Panel if you like.
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter to see a list of all network adapters on your PC. (see screenshot below step 3)
netsh interface show interface
3 Make note of the Interface Name (ex: "Wi-Fi") you want to rename. (see screenshot below)
4 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
netsh interface set interface name="Current Name" newname="New Name"
Substitute Current Name in the command above with the actual Interface Name (ex: "Wi-Fi") from step 3 you want to rename.
Substitute New Name in the command above with the actual new name (ex: "My Wi-Fi") you want for the network adapter.
For example: netsh interface set interface name="Wi-Fi" newname="My Wi-Fi"
5 When finished, you can close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.
2 Copy and paste the command below into PowerShell, and press Enter to see a list of all network adapters on your PC. (see screenshot below step 3)
Get-NetAdapter | format-list
3 Make note of the network adapter Name (ex: "Wi-Fi") you want to rename. (see screenshot below)
4 Type the command below you want to use into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)
Rename-NetAdapter -Name "Current Name" -NewName "New Name"
Substitute Current Name in the command above with the actual network adapter Name (ex: "Wi-Fi") from step 3 you want to rename.
Substitute New Name in the command above with the actual new name (ex: "My Wi-Fi") you want for the network adapter.
For example: Rename-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi" -NewName "My Wi-Fi"
5 When finished, you can close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Attachments
Last edited: