Windows 10: Turn On or Off Random Hardware MAC Addresses for Wi-Fi in Windows 10

How to: Turn On or Off Random Hardware MAC Addresses for Wi-Fi in Windows 10

How to Turn On or Off Random Hardware MAC Addresses for Wi-Fi in Windows 10


Information When you're not connected to Wi-Fi, your PC sends a signal to look for Wi-Fi networks in the area to help you get connected. The signal contains the unique physical hardware address (aka: MAC) for your device. Some places, for example shopping malls, stores, or other public areas, might use this unique address to track your movement in that area. If your Wi-Fi hardware supports it, you can turn on random hardware addresses to make it harder for people to track you when your PC scans for networks and connects.

There's two controls for using random hardware addresses—one is for all networks and the other is for the specific network you're connected to. When you turn it on for all networks, random hardware addresses are used when your PC scans for networks and connects to any network. When it's turned on for a specific network you're connected to, random hardware addresses are used the next time you connect to that network.

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off to use random hardware addresses (MAC) for Wi-Fi networks in Windows 10.



Warning Your home broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) may rely on your network adapter's MAC address for the internet connection. If so, then turning on to use random hardware addresses for your home broadband may cause it to not establish the connection.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Turn On or Off Random Hardware Addresses for New Wi-Fi Network Connections
• Option Two: To Turn On or Off Random Hardware Addresses for Specific Wi-Fi Network Connection

OPTION ONE [/i] To Turn On or Off Random Hardware Addresses for New Wi-Fi Network Connections
1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Network & Internet icon.

2. Click/tap on Wi-Fi on the left side, and turn on or off (default) Use random hardware addresses for what you want. (see screenshot below)









OPTION TWO [/i] To Turn On or Off Random Hardware Addresses for Specific Wi-Fi Network Connection
1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Network & Internet icon.

2. Click/tap on Wi-Fi on the left side, and click/tap on the Manage known networks link on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3. Click/tap on the Wi-Fi network connection (ex: "Brink-Router"), and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)



4. Under Random hardware addresses, Select On, Off (default), or Change daily in the Use random hardware addresses for this network drop menu for what you want. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn


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:)

 

What is "Random Hardware Address" ?

What is "Random Hardware Address" ?

I want to know the detail information of "Random Hardware Address" function of Wi-Fi.

Please the documents/url about it.

Regards,

Yoshihiro Kawabata

 

Windows 10 laptop WIFI Mac address keeps changing. How to disable it?

I have the same issue. I can confirm that "Use random hardware addresses" is set to Off, from the Wi-Fi option in "Network & Internet" options.

 

Hello bryceba, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

Correct. If your Wi-Fi hardware supports it, you can turn on random hardware addresses to make it harder for people to track you when your PC scans for networks and connects.

 

kinda hadda feelin that was gonna be the answer!! figured id ask to know for sure though and thanks partner I appreciate ya getting back at me with the answer

 

There is a little mistake Shawn: (Step 1.2) text is correct but SS is wrong. It can be misleading

EDIT: Sory I'm wrong. Step 1.2 and step 2.2's SS must change or text (There is something wrong but I did'nt realize) *Busted

 

Hello Yasak,

Thank you. *Smile

 

I do not see this option in my Windows 10 with a Broadcom BCM41342, but I am able to change my MAC address in Linux with the same wireless card. Any reasons why?

 

Hello Charles, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

It doesn't appear that the Broadcom BCM41342 supports random hardware addresses.

Wi-Fi Direct™ & Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Chip for PCs & Notebooks - BCM43142 | Broadcom

 

I've just done a clean install, and this option appeared. *sarc
Seems that the default Windows driver does more than my manufacturer's.

 

Hi, Brink.

The choice of "Change Daily" seems pretty self-explanatory in the per-network WiFi settings.
However, it begs a question:

How often is the MAC address changed if you simply select "On" instead of "Change Daily"?

In particular, suppose you go to location "A" and connect, then travel to location "B" and connect (different SSID), then back to "A" -- all in the same day. What happens? What if they were physically different locations but used the same router hardware and the same SSID? (For example, a chain of stores such as a Publix.)

Or, suppose you're in location "A" and connect, then disconnect, then connect again. Does "On" mean you spoof a different MAC every time you connect?


Here's hoping you know the answer! Thanks!

 

Hello Forbin, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

"On" should be each time you connect.

It will only apply to the Wi-Fi adapter though.