Easily Rename Network Adapters in Windows 10 & 11

November 12, 2024 Matt Mills How to 0

Every time you try and troubleshoot network settings, you know that Windows automatically gives network adapters generic names that can be very confusing. Fortunately, it’s an easy task to rename these adapters in Windows 10 and 11.

And if you want to rename network adapters fast, here’s a guide to do it with several quick and simple methods.

Windows network settings screen

What can I do to change Network Adapter name in Windows 10?

If you’re on Windows 10, follow these steps to rename your network adapter:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Click the Windows icon in your toolbar and press Settings.
    Navigate to Network Settings
  3. Click Change adapter options in Network and Internet.
    Rename the Adapter
  4. 1. Right click your network adapter, 2. pick Rename, 3. type in a new name, 4. and click OK.

Windows 11 can change Network Adapter Name

The steps differ slightly in Windows 11:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Click on the Start menu, right click on it and select Settings.
    Check Network Settings -> Advance Network Settings
  3. Go to left sidebar, select Network & Internet and click Advanced network settings.
    Rename the Adapter
  4. It finds Rename this adapter, and you type in your new desired name, before hitting Save.

Other methods of renaming Network Adapters (this works both on Windows 10 and Windows 11)

If you happen to have other methods that you’d like to use to rename your network adapter in Windows 10 or 11, I have three more ways that you can do so.

Method 1: From the Control Panel

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Type Search for Control Panel in the Windows search bar and open.
    Navigate to Network Settings
  3. Change adapter settings → Go to Network and Sharing Center.
    Rename the Adapter
  4. Go to the control panel > Device Manager right click on the network adapter you want to change the name and select Rename and type in the name you want to change the name to.

Method 2: Using PowerShell

This is a super quick method if you are comfortable with PowerShell.

  1. Launch Open PowerShell window as Administrator
  2. Click on the Start menu, right click and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
    View Current Adapters
  3. We can see the list of adapters by typing Get-NetAdapter | Format-List -Property Name and press Enter.
    Rename the Adapter
  4. Use the command:
    NETIOgStartRenaming “OLD-NAME” “NEW-NAME”
    Make OLD-NAME the current adapter name and NEW NAME the name you actually want.
    Close PowerShell
  5. You can close PowerShell after renaming.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

  1. For a similar approach using Command Prompt:
  2. Go to Start -> Run, type ‘cmd’ and hit ‘Enter’ -> type ‘cmd’ again
  3. Click on Search for Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
    View Current Adapters
  4. Netsh interface show interface And press Enter.
    Rename the Adapter
  5. Enter the command:
    interface set interface name=”OLD-NAME” newname=”NEW-NAME”
    For you to replace OLD NAME with the current name and NEW NAME with your chosen name.

Final Thoughts

If you have a Windows 10 or 11 desktop or laptop, renaming your network adapters simplifies identification of Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, which becomes especially so if you have multiple networks. Change the structure and try one of these methods and you’ll find things a bit more organized.