Determining the unique identifier of your network equipment often becomes a necessary procedure when setting up a home network or a corporate segment. MAC address (Media Access Control) is a physical identifier assigned to a network interface at the factory. Unlike an IP address, which can change each time you connect to a provider, this code remains constant and allows a router or switch to accurately identify the device on the local network.
There are many situations where a user needs to find this code: from setting up access filtering by MAC filter on the router before resolving connection issues on corporate networks. Internet service providers often bind network access to this unique number, and when replacing a router or computer, it becomes necessary to clone it or enter new data.
In this article, we'll cover all the available methods for obtaining this information on computers running Windows, including searching methods through the router interface. Whether you're using the graphical interface or booting the system in safe mode, you'll be able to find the data you need.
Searching through the Windows graphical interface
The simplest and most accessible method, requiring no knowledge of special commands, is to use the standard operating system windows. This method is suitable for most users who prefer visual menu navigation. You don't need to be an experienced system administrator to complete these steps in a couple of minutes.
First, you need to open your network settings. In modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, you can do this by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray (near the clock) and selecting "Network & Internet settings." Next, go to the "Wi-Fi" section and look for the link "Change adapter settings" or "Hardware properties."
In the "Network Connections" window that opens, find your wireless connection (usually called "Wireless Network" or "Wi-Fi"). Right-click it and select "Status," then "Details." In the list that appears, look for the line "Physical Address." This is the value you're looking for. MAC address, consisting of 12 hexadecimal digits.
⚠️ Note: If you see multiple wireless connections in the list of adapters, make sure you're viewing the properties of the active adapter that's connecting, not the Microsoft virtual adapter or Bluetooth device.
It's worth noting that in some cases, especially on laptops with dual graphics cards or specific drivers, multiple virtual interfaces may appear in the list. Be careful when selecting the desired device to avoid copying data from VirtualBox or Hamachi.
Using the CMD command line
For more experienced users or in situations where the graphical interface isn't working correctly, the command line is the ideal solution. This method provides more detailed information and works even in minimal system boot modes.
To launch the command prompt, press the key combination Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black terminal window, you need to enter the command ipconfig /allAfter executing the command, a large amount of technical information about all network interfaces on the computer will appear on the screen.
C:\Users\User>ipconfig /allWireless LAN Adapter Wireless Network:
Physical address. . . . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
DHCP is enabled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . : yes
Auto-tuning is enabled. . . . . . . . . : yes
Scroll down to the section corresponding to your Wi-Fi adapter. Look for the line "Physical Address." This is your unique identifier. This method is useful because it displays information about all active and inactive interfaces at once.
The advantage of using cmd The ability to quickly copy data is a plus. You can right-click to select text, copy it, and paste it into a text document or router configuration form. This eliminates errors that can occur when manually typing long sequences of numbers.
getmac command and PowerShell
If the command output ipconfig If you find the utility too cumbersome and overloaded with unnecessary data, the operating system offers more specialized tools. getmac created specifically to display information about the physical addresses of network cards in a compact form.
Enter the command in the command line getmac /v. Key /v (verbose) means verbose output. This will result in a table where the "Physical Address" column will contain the values you're looking for, and the "Transport Name" column will help you identify which adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) the address belongs to.
For users who prefer a more modern toolkit, a shell is available PowerShell**. Launch it from the Start menu search and enter the command Get-NetAdapterThis command will list all network adapters with their status and MAC addresses in an easy-to-read format.
In PowerShell, you can also filter the output to show only the data you need. For example, the command Get-NetAdapter | Where Status -Eq "Up" | Select-Object Name, MacAddress Shows only active interfaces. This is especially useful on servers or computers with a large number of virtual network cards.
⚠️ Note: Windows 10 and 11 have the "Randomize MAC Addresses" feature enabled to enhance privacy. When searching for the whitelist filter address on your router, make sure you're looking at the actual hardware address, not a temporary one generated by the system for a specific network.
Viewing the address through the router's web interface
If the computer whose address you need is already connected to the network, the most reliable source of truth is the router itself. The router sees all connected devices and their actual physical addresses, which are used to switch frames across the network.
Log in to your router's control panel by entering the gateway address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). After authorization, find a section that may be called "Client List", "DHCP Client List", "Wireless Status" or "Network Map".
This list will display all devices distributing or consuming traffic. Find the name of your computer or laptop. The IP address will be listed next to the name. MAC addressThis method is good because it shows exactly the address that the network sees right now.
| Router model | Menu section | Item name |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | Wireless | Wireless Statistics |
| Asus | Administration | System Log / Client List |
| MikroTik | Interfaces | Registration Table |
| Keenetic | Client list | Home network |
Using the router interface is especially effective when you need to find the address of a device whose screen is broken or to which you don't have physical access to enter commands. You can manage network access directly from this menu, blocking or allowing access by MAC filter.
☑️ Check before setting up filtering
Physical sticker and documentation
The most basic, yet often overlooked, method is to look at the device's case. This won't work for built-in Wi-Fi modules in laptops, but if you're using an external USB adapter or PCI card, the information is almost always on the label.
Electronics manufacturers are required to label network equipment. Look for a barcode sticker. Next to the "MAC," "ID," "Physical Address," or "Ethernet ID" labels, you'll see a character set in the format XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XXOften the PIN code for WPS is also indicated there.
If the sticker is worn off or missing, information can be found in the technical documentation included with the device or on the device box. The information may also be on the receipt or warranty card if the seller included the serial number and MAC address for recordkeeping purposes.
However, it's worth remembering that for laptop modules integrated into the motherboard, the sticker is usually located under the battery (if it's removable) or on the bottom of the case. However, it often only indicates the MAC address of the Ethernet port, not the Wi-Fi one. In such cases, software methods remain the only reliable solution.
Why may addresses differ?
The Wi-Fi MAC address and the Ethernet (wired port) MAC address are two different identifiers. A single device can have multiple network cards, each with its own unique address. Be careful not to mix them up when configuring the router.
Importance of MAC Address and Filtering
Understanding what it is MAC address, is necessary not only for finding it but also for ensuring network security. Filtering by physical address is the first line of defense for a home network against unwanted visitors, even if they know the Wi-Fi password.
When you enable filtering, the router compares the address of the connecting device with the list of allowed addresses. If the address isn't on the list, internet access is blocked. This creates an additional barrier for hackers using password-guessing programs.
However, you shouldn't rely solely on this method. Experienced attackers can easily change the MAC address of their network card to that of a trusted device (a process called cloning). Therefore, MAC filtering should be used in conjunction with complex WPA2/WPA3 encryption passwords.
⚠️ Warning: If you purchase a new router or replace the network card in your PC, the filtering settings on the default gateway may no longer work, as the hardware's physical address will change. Always ensure that your access lists are up-to-date after upgrading hardware.
In corporate networks, this method is widely used for access control. System administrators maintain strict records of all devices, and any connection from an unknown laptop is immediately blocked by access-level equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the MAC address of a network card?
Yes, this is possible using software. In Windows Device Manager, in the network adapter properties, on the "Advanced" tab, there's often a "Network Address" setting. By entering a value there, you'll replace the hardware address with a software one. However, reinstalling the drivers or performing a factory reset will restore the factory setting.
What should I do if the physical address is not displayed in the adapter properties?
If the Physical Address field is empty or contains zeros (00-00-00-00-00-00), this indicates a driver issue or hardware malfunction. Try reinstalling the Wi-Fi adapter driver or checking if the device is disabled in the motherboard BIOS/UEFI.
What is the difference between MAC and IP address?
A MAC address is a device's hardware ID, programmed at the factory and normally unchangeable. An IP address is a temporary "zip code" assigned by your ISP or router for routing data within a specific network.
How many characters are in a MAC address?
A standard MAC address (MAC-48) consists of 48 bits, which in hexadecimal notation is expressed as 12 characters (the numbers 0-9 and the letters AF). These are typically written in pairs, separated by a colon or a hyphen, for example: 1A:2B:3C:4D:5E:6F.