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To find the MAC address for one connection, open Settings > Network & internet, select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and look for Physical address (MAC) in its properties. To see several adapters at once, run ipconfig /all in Command Prompt and find Physical Address under the adapter you need.

Which MAC address should you find?

A Windows 11 PC can have several network adapters, and each can have its own MAC address. Choose the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter relevant to the task—such as the connection your router or network administrator is asking about. In command output, use the adapter name and connection type to identify the right entry.

Windows may show the value as Physical address (MAC) in Settings or Physical Address in ipconfig /all. Microsoft’s wireless network report guidance also notes that its ipconfig /all script output includes each adapter’s physical address.

1. Find the Wi-Fi MAC address in Settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
  3. Open the connected network’s properties.
  4. Find Physical address (MAC) in the network details.

Microsoft’s Wi-Fi connection guidance covers Windows Wi-Fi settings and network properties. The exact layout can vary between Windows 11 builds.

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2. Find the Ethernet MAC address in Settings

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet.
  2. Select the relevant Ethernet connection if Windows presents more than one.
  3. Look in its properties for Physical address (MAC).

Adapter details and labels may be arranged differently depending on the connection and Windows build. Use the physical-address label to identify the value rather than relying on a particular screen layout. Microsoft’s network settings overview documents Windows network-settings entry points.

3. Use Command Prompt with ipconfig /all

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Enter ipconfig /all and press Enter.
  3. Find the section for the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter you need.
  4. Read the value beside Physical Address.

The command lists detailed configuration for network adapters, so the output can include multiple physical addresses. Match the adapter heading to your connection instead of choosing the first address shown. Microsoft describes the physical (MAC) address in its wireless network report documentation.

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4. List addresses with getmac

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Enter getmac and press Enter.
  3. Identify the entry for the network card you want.

getmac returns MAC addresses and associated protocols for network cards. Because it can show multiple entries, use the connection or adapter information to select the relevant one. Microsoft’s getmac command reference lists Windows 11 as supported.

5. Use PowerShell with Get-NetAdapter

  1. Open PowerShell.
  2. Run Get-NetAdapter.
  3. Find the intended interface and read its MacAddress value.

This is another built-in way to inspect adapter details. For background on this Windows 11 route, see the PowerShell method in Tom’s Hardware’s Windows 11 walkthrough.

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6. Use Control Panel’s adapter properties

  1. Open Control Panel and go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Choose Change adapter settings.
  3. Open the relevant Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter’s status or properties.
  4. Inspect its connection details for the physical address.

Control Panel remains an alternative route, though labels and steps can differ by Windows build. The route is covered in Tom’s Hardware’s Windows 11 walkthrough.

Which method should you use?

Method Best for What to look for
Settings Finding one Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection’s address Physical address (MAC)
ipconfig /all Reviewing detailed information for multiple adapters Physical Address under the intended adapter
getmac Quickly listing network-card MAC addresses The entry matching the intended connection
PowerShell Checking adapter details in a shell MacAddress
Control Panel Using the legacy adapter-settings interface Physical address in connection details
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check randomized MAC settings for Wi-Fi

The address used for Wi-Fi is not necessarily the adapter’s permanent hardware address. If random hardware addresses are enabled, Windows can use a randomized address while scanning for networks and connecting. Microsoft Support explains that a scan signal contains the device’s unique physical hardware (MAC) address, and its Wi-Fi guidance describes random hardware address controls for all networks and for individual known networks.

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To check the setting, open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi and inspect the random hardware address option; you can also check the selected known network’s settings. If a router or administrator needs the address used for a particular Wi-Fi network, verify that network-specific setting and use the address shown for that connection.

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When Windows shows more than one address

  • Use the adapter heading in ipconfig /all or interface details in PowerShell to distinguish Wi-Fi from Ethernet.
  • Do not assume the first result belongs to the connection you are configuring; virtual or inactive interfaces may also appear in lists.
  • If the request is specifically for Wi-Fi access on a particular network, check whether randomized hardware addresses are enabled for that network.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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