Windows 10: Does the microsoft hosted network adapter harm my PC?

does the microsoft hosted network adapter harm my Pc?


* Moved from Community Participation Center

* Original title: harming my pc

:)

 

microsoft hosted network virtual adapter

Hi Sayan,

I too, had uninstalled the Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter, since I was unable to create a hotspot from the computer. After restarting, I was hoping for the adapter to be visible/present in the device manager, as it happens when we
uninstall a USB Controller.

However, after restarting, the adapter is not seen in the Network adapters list, and also not found under the
Other list, as you suggested above. This was checked after enabling view for hidden devices. Also, there is
no yellow alert symbol near any adapter.

I have also restored the computer to an earlier restore point, but the adapter is still not seen !

Since, the Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter itself is not found in the list, there is no way to update the driver software for it.

Hotspot creation has worked for me many times since I've upgraded to Windows 10, and I need it to keep working as before.

Request you to help !

Thank you.

Also, Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter is not associated with a hardware, is it ?

 

how to install microsoft hosted network virtual adapter

Hello Jiaqi,

From the description provided, I understand that windows is unable to configure the Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter device in Windows.

We would like to know the device status of the Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter in the

Device Manager settings.

Unknown and uninstalled devices will be listed under
Other. The device will have a yellow alert symbol on it. The properties for the device will show that
no driver was found.

As an initial recommendation, I suggest you to follow these steps to run the Windows in built troubleshooter:

a) Write Troubleshooting in the search box and hit enter.

b) Click on Troubleshooting
tab.

c) Click on view all option on the upper left corner.

d) Select the Network Adapter option from the list.

e) Click Next to run the Hardware and Device
Troubleshooter.

If you don't find the requisite drivers installed, follow the below steps to install the drivers.

• Press “Windows Logo” + “R” keys on the keyboard and type “devmgmt.msc” in the “Run” Command box and press “Enter”.
• In the “Device Manager” window, search for the 'Network Adapter'
  drivers, right click on it and then select "Update Driver Software'.
• Then select the option 'Browse my computer for driver software '>>
  'Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computers'.
• Now uncheck the option 'Show compatible hardware'.
• Under the Manufacturer select Microsoft and search for 'Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter'
  under Model.
• Now follow the on screen instructions.

Write to us with the updated status on the issue related to Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter configuration. If the issue still persists, we would be happy to help you.

Thank You.

 

Microsoft Network Hosted Virtual Adapter Driver uninstalled

The other day I went to start up my VPN Virtual AP for my Chromecast and iPad to connect to via my Windows 10 Machine using the following commands (have done this several times before and it has worked fine):
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NETWORKNAME key=PASSWORD
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
But to my nasty surprise, I was responded with:
The hosted network couldn’t be started.
The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.
Now I've looked everywhere online for a solution to my problem here. The underlying issue appears to be that my Microsoft Network Hosted Virtual Adapter Driver is missing in Device Manager (when showing hidden drivers). This appears to be a result of an update to my WLAN Adapter (Will list spec at end). Here are the following things I have tried:

1. Looked for Microsoft Network Hosted Virtual Adapter Driver in Device Manager as a Hidden device - Not there.
2. Disabled WLAN Adapter and Enabled to refresh drivers
3. Scanned for Hardware changed in DM
4. Tried rolling back WLAN Adapter to oldest version - 09/2015
5. Updated WLAN Adapter to latest version - 23/08/2016
6. Searched the Lenovo website for their default WLAN Adapter driver, downloaded and installed - but was the same one I had as my updated version
7. Looked for older editions of the adapter, but they either installed but didn't have the Network Hosted Virtual Adapter, or weren't compatible with my machine.
8. Restarted my machine after every change made to the network adapters
9. Uninstalled LAN Adapter and reinstalled.

What I've read is that some of the new WLAN Adapters have stopped including the Network Hosted Virtual Adapter in their installation package. Not sure how true this is but it would explain the sudden uninstallation of it.
I think that's pretty much everything. Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Machine Model: Lenovo 100-15IBD
WLAN Network Driver: Realtek PCI-E Wireless LAN Driver version 2023.37.0616.2016