Easy Methods to Locate Your MAC Address on Windows 10 or 11

Sometimes, it becomes necessary to determine the MAC address, also known as the physical hardware address or "Media Access Control" address, of your network adapter on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer. There are multiple methods available to retrieve this information.

Each Network Adapter Has its Own MAC Address

A network adapter is a device in your PC that connects to a network, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or another method. It can either be a separate card installed in the machine or built into the hardware. Regardless, Windows treats each adapter as a separate device. Each network adapter has its own unique MAC address. This means that if your PC has both an Ethernet port (handled by an Ethernet adapter) and a Wi-Fi connection (handled by a Wi-Fi adapter), each connection method will have its own MAC address.

Find Your MAC Address Using Settings

To find your MAC address in Windows 10 or 11, open Settings by pressing Windows+i on your keyboard. When it opens, navigate to Network & Internet.

In Network & Internet settings on Windows 10, click "Status" in the sidebar, then select "View hardware and connection properties."

In Network & Internet settings on Windows 11, click "Advanced Network Settings," and then select "Hardware and Connection Properties."

In Hardware and Connection Properties, you'll see a list of information about every network adapter installed on your PC.

Locate the adapter you want to find the MAC address for in the list, such as the "Wireless Network Adapter" for your Wi-Fi connection. The MAC address can be found beside "Physical Address (MAC)." For instance, the MAC address in the provided image is "2b:fc:f3:f3:f3:2b". Your MAC address will be distinct.

If necessary, you can select and copy the MAC address (Ctrl+c) and paste it (Ctrl+v) to a text file or a messaging app. After that, close Settings, and you're good to go.

Find Your MAC Address Using Control Panel

The Control Panel utility in Windows 10 or Windows 11 provides the option to find the MAC addresses of your network adapters, although it requires a few additional steps compared to the Settings app. To begin, open Control Panel and select "View Network Status and Tasks."

In the Network and Sharing Center, you will find a list of all your current network connections. Locate the adapter for which you want to find the MAC address and click on the link next to "Connections." The specific link may differ based on the type of connection, but it generally displays "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi."

In the status window (such as "Ethernet Status" or "Wi-Fi Status") that appears, click the "Details" button.

In the "Network Connection Details" window, you'll find the adapter's MAC address listed beside "Physical Address."

When you're done, click "Close" twice, then close Control Panel.

Find Your MAC Address Using a Command

To retrieve the MAC address of your network adapter, simply execute the "ipconfig /all" command in Windows 10 or 11 via the Command Prompt, Windows Terminal, or Windows PowerShell. To access these tools, either right-click the Start button or press Windows+X to quickly open a command-line window. In Windows 11, select "Windows Terminal" from the displayed menu, while in Windows 10, choose either "Windows PowerShell" or "Command Prompt."

If you have a PC, you may be presented with an extensive array of adapters, each accompanied by its respective information. To retrieve the MAC address, locate the desired adapter (e.g., "Wireless LAN" or "Ethernet") and identify the entry labeled "Physical Address."

When you're done, close Command Prompt. You can repeat the ipconfig /all command any time you need it.

Find Your MAC Address in System Information

To access the MAC addresses of your network adapters, you can utilize the System Information tool. Simply open the Run box by pressing Windows + R and type in "msinfo32" or, alternatively, search for "System Information" in the Start Menu search bar. This will allow you to launch System Information and access the MAC addresses.

Once you have it open, navigate to Components > Network > Adapter.

Scroll through the list until you locate the desired adapter. Additionally, please take into consideration that any virtual network adapters, such as those established by VPNs or certain virtual machines, will also appear in this list; therefore, don't be too alarmed if it appears slightly crowded.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find it extremely important to be able to easily locate the MAC address on my Windows 10 or 11 computer. The MAC address is a unique identifier for my network adapter, and it can be useful for troubleshooting network issues or connecting to certain networks. The article provides several easy methods to locate the MAC address, including using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or System Information. I appreciate that the article provides step-by-step instructions with clear screenshots, making it easy for me to follow along.

In the past, I've had difficulty finding the MAC address on my computer, but this article has made it a breeze. I especially appreciate the tip about using the ipconfig /all command in Command Prompt, as this is a quick and easy way to find the MAC address for all of my network adapters. Overall, I think this article is a great resource for anyone who needs to find the MAC address on their Windows 10 or 11 computer.