Who's connected to my Wi-Fi? How do I check the list of devices on my computer?

The disadvantage of this method is that it does not show All devices on the network, but only those actively exchanging data with your PC. For example, a smartphone connected to Wi-Fi but in sleep mode may not appear.

For a more complete list, combine arp -a Ping all possible IP addresses in your subnet. You can use a script for this:

for /L %i in (1,1,254) do ping -n 1 192.168.0.%i

Method 3: Specialized programs for network monitoring

If manual methods seem complicated, try free utilities. They automate the network scanning process and often provide more information than standard tools. Windows.

Top 3 programs for checking connected devices:

• 🔍 Wireless Network Watcher (NirSoft) is a simple utility that displays all devices on the network, indicating their MAC address, network card manufacturer, and time of first detection.
  • 📥 You can download it from the official website NirSoft (free, no installation required).
  • 🔄 Updates the list in real time.
  • 📊 Exports data to .csv or .html.
• 🔍 Angry IP Scanner — a cross-platform scanner that works on Windows, macOS And Linux. Shows open ports and can determine the device type.
  • 🔧 Supports plugins for advanced analysis.
  • 🚀 Quickly scans large networks (up to 255 IPs in seconds).
• 🔍 Advanced IP Scanner — a Russian-language program with a simple interface. In addition to listing devices, it allows remote control of computers on the network (if allowed).
  • 🔒 Shows the network card manufacturer by MAC address.
  • 📡 Supports scheduled scanning.

How to use Wireless Network Watcher (step by step):

1. Download and unzip the archive with the program (no installation required).
2. Run the file WNetWatcher.exe.
3. Click Play (green triangle) to start scanning.
4. In a few seconds, you'll see a list of all devices on your network. Note the columns:
   • Device Name — device name (if available).
   • MAC Address — physical address.
   • Network Adapter Company — network card manufacturer (for example, Apple, Samsung, Intel).

The advantage of the programs is that they often show device manufacturer by MAC address. For example, if you see a device in the list with a MAC address starting with 3C:22:FB, this is highly likely Apple (iPhone, MacBook, or iPad). A complete list of MAC address prefixes can be found on the website IEEE.

Check the MAC address of your devices|Try disabling it through the router|Change the Wi-Fi password|Enable MAC address filtering|Check the network regularly-->

Method 4: Viewing through Windows Network and Sharing Center

IN Windows 10/11 There's a built-in tool for viewing devices on your local network, but it only shows devices that allow discovery. Still, it's a quick way to get basic information.

How to open the list of devices:

1. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press EnterA window will open. Network connections.
2. Right click on your Wi-Fi connection and select Status → Wireless Network (V Windows 11 the path may differ).
3. Click Details... and find the line Default Gateway IPv4 — this is the address of your router.
4. Return to Network connections, click Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing options.
5. Make sure it's enabled Network discovery And File and Printer SharingAfter that in Conductor (left panel) a section will appear Net, where the devices will be displayed.

This method is suitable for a quick check, but it will not show:

• 📵 Devices that hide their presence (for example, with network discovery disabled).
• 📵 Gadgets connected via cable (Ethernet), if they are not in the same workgroup as your PC.
• 📵 Devices that don't support the protocol LLMNR (for example, some smart light bulbs or cameras).

If in the section Net empty, try entering it manually in the address bar Conductor:

\\192.168.0.1

(replace IP with your router's address). If the router supports access via SMB, you will see its web interface or a list of connected devices.

Method 5: Analyzing Traffic with Wireshark (Advanced)

If you want to not only see a list of devices, but also analyze what traffic they consume, use Wireshark — a powerful network analyzer. This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires an understanding of network protocols.

How to use Wireshark to search for "extra" devices:

1. Download and install Wireshark from the official website.
2. Launch the program and select your Wi-Fi adapter from the list of interfaces.
3. Click Start to start capturing packets.
4. In the filter, enter:

   wlan.addr == [MAC address]

   (Replace with the suspicious MAC address from the previous methods). This will show all traffic for a specific device.

5. Please note:
   • 📊 Protocols: if the device is actively using Torrent, YouTube or Netflix, this may explain the slow internet.
   • 📊 IP addresses: If your device is communicating with suspicious servers, it may be a sign of a virus infection.

Warning: Wireshark captivates all Network traffic, including passwords and personal data, if transmitted unencrypted. Do not use this method on public networks and do not save capture logs on public computers.

What to do if you find someone else's device on your network?

Spotted an unfamiliar gadget on the list? Don't panic—first, make sure it's truly an unfamiliar device, and not your forgotten smartphone or smart speaker. Here's the plan:

Step 1: Check the MAC address

• 🔍 Compare it with the MAC addresses of your devices (you can find them in the gadget settings or on the box).
• 🔍 Use services like MAC Vendors to determine the manufacturer.

Step 2: Try disconnecting the device

• 🚫 Go to your router settings and find the function Block Device or MAC filtering.
• 🚫 Add suspicious MAC to the blacklist.

Step 3: Strengthen your network security

• 🔒 Change your Wi-Fi password complex (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special characters).
• 🔒 Disable WPS - This protocol is vulnerable to hacking.
• 🔒 Enable MAC filtering (but remember that MAC can be faked).
• 🔒 Update your router firmware - Outdated versions often contain vulnerabilities.

Step 4: Set up a guest network

• 🛡️ Create a separate network for guests with limited access to local resources.
• 🛡️ Limit the speed of your guest network so it doesn't affect your main traffic.

⚠️ Attention: If someone else's device still appears on the network even after changing the password, your router may have been hacked. In this case:

1. Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel).
2. Update the firmware from the manufacturer's official website.
3. Check your PC for viruses - some Trojans can spread access to your network.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about checking Wi-Fi devices