Mac address is specified to network hardware that can connect to the internet. In fact, every hardware that can connect to the internet has its own Mac address. The Mac address assigned to any hardware is unchangeable. Once the Mac address is assigned to a network card then that network card can never have another Mac address. A Mac address consists of 48 alpha-numeric characters. There are 6 octets in it and each octet consists of 12 hexadecimal characters. Normally, a standard Windows user is not required to have the knowledge of a Mac address.
Every network adapter (Such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Bluetooth) has its own unique Mac address. A network adapter is a device that connects your computer/laptop to the internet. If there are two network adapters Wi-Fi and Ethernet, then each one will have its own unique Mac address. These network adapters sometimes come built-in with computers by manufacturers, but sometimes users need to install them separately.
Mac address helps the users see the devices that are connected to your computer, network, or router. If you have the Mac address of a specific device then you can block it from connecting to your network or computer. Mac address is like the postal address on the internet which helps the internet technologies to contact your computer. More importantly, when we know the Mac address of the device we can easily configure and troubleshoot that network device.
How to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10 (5 Ways)?
Mac address is the unique address that is assigned to the hardware that has the ability to connect to the internet. The Mac address of a device on Windows 10 can be retrieved using given methods:
- Method 1: Use PowerShell to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
- Method 2: Use Command Prompt to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
- Method 3: Use the Settings to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
- Method 4: Use the Control Panel to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
- Method 5: Use the System Information to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
- Conclusion
Method 1: Use PowerShell to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
Check the mentioned steps below to check the Mac address using PowerShell.
Step 1: Press Windows + X shortcut key and Select Windows PowerShell(Admin):
Step 2: Type the mentioned command and press the Enter button to get the Mac address:
ipconfig /all
Method 2: Use Command Prompt to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
Users can utilize the mentioned steps to find the Mac address on Windows 10 using Command Prompt.
Step 1: Launch the Start menu by pressing the Windows key.
Step 2: Search Command Prompt and click Rus as administrator:
Step 3: Type the given command and hit the Enter button:
ipconfig /all
Method 3: Use the Settings to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
Mac addresses can be found inside the Windows system settings also. To check the Mac address within system Settings, overview the mentioned steps.
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Windows System Settings:
Step 2: Select Network & Internet settings:
Step 3: Navigate to the Wi-Fi or Ethernet section:
Step 4: Select the connected network:
Step 5: Look for the Physical Address (Mac) section to check the Mac address in Windows 10:
Method 4: Use the Control Panel to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
Mac addresses can also be retrieved by using the Control Panel. To do so, check the mentioned instructions.
Step 1: Press the Windows + X and select Run:
Step 2: In the given field, type Control Panel and hit OK:
Step 3: Move to the “Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center”:
Step 4: Select Change adapter settings:
Step 5: Right-click on the network and choose Status:
Step 6: Select the Details option to open its windows:
Step 7: Here you can see the Mac address in the Physical Address field:
Method 5: Use the System Information to Check the Mac Address on Windows 10
Lastly, System Information can also check the Mac address on Windows 10. For that purpose, check the below-given steps.
Step 1: Launch the System Information app from the Start menu:
Step 2: Move to the Components > Network > Adapter:
Step 3: Check the name of the adapter and then look for the Mac address:
Conclusion
To check the Mac address, first, press Windows + I to open Windows Settings. Select Network & Internet settings. Navigate to the Wi-Fi or Ethernet section. Select the network connection. Locate the Physical Address (Mac) section to check the Mac address in Windows 10. Additionally, Mac addresses can be found using Control Panel, System Information, PowerShell, and Command Prompt. Read the above guide to learn the practical way of finding the Mac address on Windows 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find Mac address on Windows 10 using PowerShell?
To find the Mac address on Windows 10 using PowerShell, open PowerShell and type 'Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, MacAddress'. This command will display the Mac addresses of all network adapters on your system.
Is it possible to change the Mac address on Windows 10?
No, the Mac address assigned to a network card on Windows 10 is unchangeable. Each network adapter has a unique, unchangeable Mac address that identifies it on the network.
What is the importance of knowing the Mac address of a device?
Knowing the Mac address of a device helps in identifying and troubleshooting network connectivity issues. It also allows you to control which devices can connect to your network by filtering based on Mac addresses.
How does Mac address help in network security?
Mac addresses can be used to enhance network security by allowing you to create access control lists based on specific Mac addresses. This helps in preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to your network.
Can I block a specific device from connecting to my network using its Mac address?
Yes, you can block a specific device from connecting to your network by filtering its Mac address in your router settings. This prevents the device from accessing your network.
What are the different types of network adapters that have Mac addresses?
Network adapters such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth all have their own unique Mac addresses. Each adapter is identified by its Mac address when communicating on a network.
How can I troubleshoot network connectivity issues using Mac addresses?
By knowing the Mac addresses of devices connected to your network, you can troubleshoot connectivity issues by identifying which devices are having problems. This helps in pinpointing the source of network issues.
Why is the Mac address considered like a postal address on the internet?
The Mac address is like a postal address on the internet because it uniquely identifies a device on a network. It allows internet technologies to accurately route data packets to the intended device, similar to how postal addresses help deliver physical mail.