Windows 10: Random MAC address

Before I upgraded to version 20H2 I was able to apply random mac address to my USB wifi adapter. I can no longer do this. Is there a way to fix this?

:)

 

Random Hardware (Mac) Address - Windows 10

Second question first: "Is there a list of WiFi adapters that supports random hardware address?"

Maybe. If so, it will be on the internet, so try searching.

"Does it mean I can't change/spoof my mac address even by using third party software or registry editing?"

As you know, MAC addresses are assigned at the factory. But it's not difficult to spoof a MAC address, and you can find detailed instructions on the internet.

Normally, I don't like to send people to the internet if I can explain something on my own. But this - spoofing MAC addresses - is not something I've done myself, nor do I have the interest to do that, so unless someone who knows how joins the thread, it's
happy hunting to you.

 

Random Hardware (Mac) Address - Windows 10

Exactly what I suspected!

next question is...does it mean I can't change/spoof my mac address even by using third party softwareor registry editing?

and

is there a list of wifi adapters that support the "random hardware address" feature?

 

About MAC Randomization feature

Hello vikasvashishtha,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Random hardware addresses are used to make it harder for people to track our location when you connect to different Wi-Fi networks. To enable the feature, you need to have appropriate drivers installed on your machine. However, to address your
questions, kindly check with the below mentioned answers:

1. MAC randomization works with all type of networks.
   
2. Unless the device is connected to the network/Wi-Fi, it cannot be tracked. The MAC address can be used to track your device as it connects to various Wi-Fi access points. Hence, by enabling MAC address randomization, it is hard
   to track the device. The device can still be tracked using other information.
   
3. No, MAC address won’t change after getting connected to 1 network unless you have enabled 'Use random hardware addresses for this network'.
   
4. Yes, every network device has a unique MAC address.
   

Regards,

Mala S

Microsoft Community - Moderator