Managing your network settings can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when you’re navigating through a sea of indistinct network names. Whenever you try to connect to a network through your computer or laptop, Windows automatically assigns a name to that network adapter based on whether it is Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This automated nomenclature is practical for quick connections, but what if you desire a more personalized or easily identifiable name for your adapter? There might be situations where the default name doesn’t resonate with your preferences or needs. The good news is that renaming your network adapter isn’t a herculean task on Windows. In fact, Windows 10 and 11 offer you multiple avenues to accomplish this. You can opt for the user-friendly Settings app, the traditional Control Panel, or even the powerful Windows PowerShell to get the job done. Ready to personalize your network adapter’s name? Dive into this risewindows guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
How to Change the Name of the Network Adapter on Windows 11 through the Settings app?
Use the following steps to rename the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter’s name using the Settings app:-
Step 1: First, open the Settings app.
Step 2: In the left sidebar, click Network & internet.
Step 3: Click the Advanced network settings tab on the right sidebar.
Step 4: Find the “Network adapters” section, and choose the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter you want to expand.
Step 5: Look for the Rename button beside the “Rename this adapter” option and click on it.
Step 6: Set a new name for your network adapter.
Step 7: Click the Save button as the final step.
How to Rename Network Adapter on Windows 11 or 10 from Control Panel?
Use the following steps to change the name of a network adapter in Windows 11 or 10 from Control Panel:-
Step 1: First, open Control Panel.
Step 2: Next, set “View by” to Category and find the Network and Internet.
Step 3: Then, click the Network and Sharing Center.
Step 4: In the left navigation pane, find the Change adapter settings and click it. Once you do that, the “Network Connections” window will open.
Step 5: Select the Rename option by right-clicking on the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
Step 6: Type a new name for the adapter and press Enter on the keyboard.
How to Rename Network Adapter on Windows 11 or 10 using PowerShell?
Use these steps to change the network adapter’s name on Windows 11 or 10 using PowerShell:-
Step 1: To begin, open PowerShell with administrative privilege.
Step 2: You can view the adapters present on your computer by typing the following command and hitting Enter on your keyboard:-
Get-NetAdapter | Format-List -Property Name
Step 3: Take note of the adapter name.
Step 4: You can rename the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter by typing the following command and pressing Enter:-
Rename-NetAdapter -Name "OLD-NAME" -NewName "NEW-NAME"
On a side note, you should keep in mind that in the above command, “OLD-NAME” should be replaced with the current name and “NEW-NAME” with the desired name that you want to assign to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. You can consider the following command to rename “WiFi Old” to “WiFi”:-
Rename-NetAdapter -Name "WiFi Old" -NewName "WiFi"
How to Change Network Adapter Name in Windows 11 or 10 through Command Prompt?
Use the following steps to rename the network adapter name on Windows 11 or 10 using Command Prompt:-
Step 1: Begin by opening an elevated Command Prompt.
Step 2: Next, view the network adapters by typing the following and hitting Enter key:-
netsh interface show interface
Step 3: Take note of your desired interface name.
Step 4: Type the following and press Enter:-
netsh interface set interface name="OLD-NAME" newname="NEW-NAME"
On a side note, you should keep in mind that in the above command, “OLD-NAME” should be replaced with the current name and “NEW-NAME” with the desired name that you want to assign to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. You can consider the following command to rename “WiFi” to “WiFi Home”:-
netsh interface set interface name="WiFi" newname="WiFi Home"
Also Read: How to Know Wi-Fi Version on Windows 11 or 10?
Conclusion
Managing and renaming your network adapter settings on Windows 10 and 11 is straightforward and can be done through various methods, depending on user comfort and preference. Whether you choose the Settings app, Control Panel, PowerShell, or Command Prompt, each method offers a systematic approach to personalizing your network adapter’s name. By following this guide, you can easily modify the name of your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter to align it with your requirements or preferences.
