How to find your Windows network adapter MAC address

In Windows, the MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on a network. A MAC address consists of six (6) groups of two (2) hexadecimal digits, usually separated by colons or hyphens (XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX).

If you need to find the MAC address for your network adapter in Windows, you can do so through the Settings app or by using the Command Prompt / Windows PowerShell. In this article, we will explore both methods to help you quickly locate the MAC address for your network adapter(s).

Windows 11

Using the Settings app

1. Open the Settings app by left-clicking on the Start button and selecting the Settings app (gear icon), or press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard.
2. In the left-hand column of the Settings app, left-click on Network & internet.
3. In the right-hand column, select either Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on the type of network connection you are using.
4. If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, in the right-hand column, left-click on Hardware properties.
5. If you are using an Ethernet connection, scroll down the right-hand column for the properties of the Ethernet adapter(s).
6. The MAC address for your network adapter will be displayed under the Physical address (MAC) field.

Using the Command Prompt / Windows PowerShell

1. Left-click on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the upper right-hand corner of the Start menu, left-click on All apps.
3. Scroll down the list of programs and left-click on Windows Tools.
4. Left-click on Command Prompt.
5. At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   ipconfig /all
6. Look for the network adapter you want to find the MAC address for. The MAC address will be listed next to the Physical Address field.

or

1. Right-click on the Start button to bring up the Power User menu.
2. Left-click on Terminal.
3. At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   ipconfig /all
4. Look for the network adapter you want to find the MAC address for. The MAC address will be listed next to the Physical Address field.

Windows 10

Using the Settings app

1. Open the Settings app by left-clicking on the Start button and selecting Settings (gear icon), or press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard.
2. In the Settings app, left-click on Network & internet.
3. In the left-hand column, select either Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on the type of network connection you are using.
4. If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, in the right-hand column, left-click on Hardware properties.
5. If you are using an Ethernet connection, left-click on the network name and then scroll down for the properties of the Ethernet adapter.
6. The MAC address for your network adapter will be displayed under the Physical address (MAC) field.

Using the Command Prompt / Windows PowerShell

1. Left-click on the Start button.
2. Scroll down the program list and then left-click on the Windows System folder to expand.
3. Left-click on Command Prompt.
4. At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   ipconfig /all
5. Look for the network adapter you want to find the MAC address for. The MAC address will be listed next to the Physical Address field.

or

1. Right-click on the Start button to bring up the Power User menu.
2. Left-click on Windows PowerShell.
3. At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   ipconfig /all
4. Look for the network adapter you want to find the MAC address for. The MAC address will be listed next to the Physical Address field.

Whichever method you choose to use, you should now have successfully located the MAC address for your network adapter in Windows. Remember to make a note of the MAC address if you need it for network configuration or troubleshooting purposes.

It's important to note that the MAC address is unique to each network adapter and is used to identify devices on a network. It differs from an IP address, which can change depending on the network configuration.

In conclusion, finding the MAC address for your network adapter in Windows is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using either the Settings app or the Command Prompt / Windows PowerShell. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily retrieve the MAC address for your network adapter and use it as needed for network-related tasks.