Windows 10: Obsolete network adapters in the registry cause connection errors

Hi,


I'm writing in the Windows 10 section, but I would need to know if the same behavior occurs in Windows 7 and 8.

I'm developing an application, with a network third part library, that use a network device plugged with an ethernet connection.

For some reasons, that I ignore, in my Network and Sharing Center the Ethernet connection sometimes get the name changed with a progressive number: the actual one it is named "Ethernet 30".

The application can't connect to the device unless I overwrite, in the code, the name of the last ethernet adapter.



Investigating, I noticed that the adapter name is obtained searching in the registry: the PnPIstanceId of the network device is searched between the locations HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\GUID_XXXXXX\Connection.



I noticed that in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\ several GUIDs match the PnPIstanceId looked for, associated with obsolete network adapter names: i.e. "Ethernet 10", "Ethernet 20", etc.

Reading the Get-NetAdapter and Get-NetAdapterAdvancedProperty documentation I understood that the network adapter informations are stored in the location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\xxxxxxxx



In the location i.e 0012 I found that are present the following key,values pairs:

- DeviceInstanceID: the id of the my network device same of PnPIstanceId above

- NetCfgInstanceId: GUID_YYYYYY



In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\GUID_YYYYYY\Connection the key Name has value of my current active network: "Ethernet 30".



So, looking for the NetCfgInstanceId, as above, can I always find the GUID and so the name of the current and active network?

Since I'm not able to delete and create a new network, I can't verify if the NetCfgInstanceId value is updated with the GUID of the new network adapter, it would seem so, but can you confirm it?

I queried the WMI, powershell and the registry and I didn't find any of obsolete networks between results, I only found them in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\, can you confirm that they are harmless?

I can't find in the documentation any behavior differences with Windows 8 or 7, could be some differences that I ignore?


Thank you very much for the support.


Best regards.


Francesco

:)

 

Losing network connection

Hello Dear, if you have a laptop or a PC with a wireless network adapter, you can see a list of available wireless networks and then connect to one of those networks. The wireless networks will only appear if your PC has a wireless network adapter installed, the adapter is turned on, and the wireless access point is in range.

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.

2. In the left pane, under Network Tasks, click View available wireless networks.
In case, If you don't see the network you want to connect to, click Refresh network list. If you see the network but the signal is weak, move the PC closer to the wireless router.

3. Click the network you want to connect to, and then click Connect.

4. If you're connecting to a secure network, type the security key, and then click OK.

I Hope you solve out your query soon.

 

Network Adapter and Error code 0x800706bb

Hi Vanessa,

One of the possible reasons why you are having an issue with the network adapter is because some components of the program may be corrupted and needs to update. To resolve your concern regarding the network issue, we suggest that you follow the steps below:

Step 1: Run Network Adapter troubleshooter to scan and correct any possible cause of the issue.

To do this, follow these steps:

• Click Start, type Network settings > press Enter
  and click Status.
• Under Network Status, click Network troubleshooter.
• Follow the steps provided on the pop-up windows.
• Once you're done, restart your device.

If the issue still persists, follow the steps below:

Step 2. Uninstall and reinstall the network driver to make sure that you will have the latest driver available for your device.

To do this, follow these steps:

• Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Network adapters.
• Double-click on the device, and then click the Driver tab.
• Click Uninstall, then OK.

Download and install the latest version of network adapter driver on the manufacturer's website.

On the other hand, the error 0x800706bb occurs when some files on the system are missing. To resolve this concern you may follow the steps provided in this
link.

Let us know if the solutions worked for you.

 

Network Connectivity Issue

Hi,

The problem you've encountered with your network connection is most likely caused by an outdated network driver since this appeared after the recent update. We suggest updating the driver for your network adapter. Please follow the steps below:

• Right-click Windows key and click Device Manager.
• Expand the Network adapters category.
• Right-click the one that says Ethernet Connection, then click
  Update Driver.
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
• If Windows is unable to find a new driver for your network adapter, try checking its manufacturer's website.

If the above steps don't work, try reinstalling the driver. Here's how:

• Open Device Manager, right-click the name your network adapter, then select
  Uninstall.
• Restart your PC and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
  

Update us with the result.

Regards.