Windows wifi interface name

How to connect, delete and manage WiFi networks using command prompt (cmd) in your Windows PC/laptop using netsh wlan commands

Nowadays internet connectivity is everything. For the Internet, we have Wi-Fi connections that we manage and use through the network settings on Windows 7/8.1/10 computers.

You can also connect, manage, and delete your WiFi networks using the command prompt.

In fact, the command prompt offers many more features than the standard network connection settings in Windows 10.

Also Read- A-Z Windows CMD Commands List

To do this we only require a CMD(Command Prompt) with Administrator privileges and will have to use netsh wlan commands.

How to connect to wifi using cmd with netsh wlan commands-

Before we dive into the guide. You’ll need to open the Command Prompt with administrator rights to perform most of the commands. To do this, use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut, and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Or search cmd and right click run as administrator

1# View various wireless network profiles saved on your PC

Command > Netsh WLAN show profiles

Every time you connect to a wireless access point, the operating system creates a “wireless network profile”, and it’s stored on your computer, you can view all these profiles using the following command line on the Command Prompt Netsh WLAN show profiles.

Alternatively, you can use the “interface” parameter to show the list of profiles for a particular wireless adapter:

Netsh WLAN show profiles interface=”your WiFi interface name”

2# View WiFi adapter driver information

Command > Netsh WLAN show drivers

When you need to get driver information about your computer’s wireless adapter, you can use the the above command. The result will show the exact drivers being used, the WiFi radios on your PC/laptop alongwith driver version number.

You can further use this command to check your WiFi capabilities. Type in the following command

C:\Netsh WLAN show wirelesscapabilities

The results will show you exactly what your WiFi connection is capable of including WiFi Direct service capabilities.

3# View wireless adapter settings

Command > Netsh WLAN show interfaces

You can see the details of your WiFi interfaces using above command. The results will show you description of the interface, SSID, BSSID, Cipher, authentication type, channel, average receive and transmit rate and radio type.

If you have multiple WiFi connections saved on your PC, the “Show interfaces” command will display the information for all the wireless adapters on your computer. If you only need to see the information for one adapter, you can use the following command:

Netsh WLAN show interface name=”your wifi connection name”

4# Recover your WiFi password from any of the WiFi connection profiles saved on your PC

Command > Netsh WLAN show profile name=”your WiFi connection name” key=clear

If you lost and cannot remember your network security key to connect another device to a particular Wi-Fi access point, you can use the above command to view your WiFi password. You can also use this command to see the data limits if you have set them.

5# Connecting to a WiFi network using command prompt

Command > netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=”your WiFi connection name” key=”your WiFi connection password”

You can use the above command to sign into your WiFi network. The above command is particularly useful if your WiFi settings in Windows 10 is not visible/cannot be connected due to some reasons. The additional commands are C:\netsh wlan start hostednet and C:\netsh wlan stop hostednetwork These two commands will start and stop your WiFi hotspot connection.

6# Stop your PC connecting automatically to a wireless network out of range

Command > Netsh WLAN set profileparameter name=”your WiFi connection name” connectionmode=manual

Normally, you would have configured your Windows 10 PC to connect to different WiFi networks automatically. While this is the best way to connect, sometimes notice that your laptop connects automatically to a WiFi connection that has zero or poor connectivity instead of an available full network WiFi connection. In such a case you can use the above command to prevent your computer from connecting to different networks automatically. If you want to move again to the automatic mode use the following command C:\Netsh WLAN set profileparameter name=” your WiFi connection name” connectionmode=auto

7# Delete wireless network profile stored on your PC

Command > Netsh WLAN delete profile name=”the WiFi connection you want to delete”

When you no longer need to connect to a particular wireless network, the access point is no longer available, or you need to reset the network profile settings, you can also use Netsh WLAN to delete any profile stored on your computer using the above command. If you can’t remember the name of the network profile, you can use the C:\Netsh WLAN show profiles command to list all the available profiles and select the one you want to delete.

8# Export and import wireless network profiles

Command > Netsh WLAN export profile key=clear folder=”the folder you want to save this report”

Sometimes you need to export and import wireless profiles. The above command exports all your wireless network profiles available on your PC. If you want to export a specific WiFi connection profile to a specific location, use this command > C:\Netsh WLAN export profile name=”your WiFi connection name” key=clear folder=”the folder you want to save this report”

9# Generate a complete report of the wireless adapters on your PC/laptop

Command > Netsh WLAN show WLANreport

Trouble shooting WiFi connection problems is very difficult as Internet has lots of conflicting tutorials and troubleshooting guide. Also you should know the exact problem you are facing while connecting to WiFi.

Using the above command will generate a full detailed WiFi networks report to the following location > C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WLANReport\WLAN-report-latest.html. 

Once the WLAN report has been created, copy and paste the path into your web browser’s address bar to open the report.

You can use this report to troubleshoot the problems, ask help on tech forums. The WLAN reports contain a graph with details of the connectivity status, including information, such as when the connection started, when it got disconnected, errors, and more.

The report also summarizes network adapters information configured on your system, session success/failures, disconnect reasons, and a lot more. It’s a very detailed report that can help you to ping point many Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

ALSO READ:

• How to Hack WiFi Password Using New WPA/WPA2 flaw
• How To Find WiFi Password When Forgot It

CONCLUSION:

So this was how to connect to wifi using cmd (command prompt) with netsh wlan commands

To find the network interface name in Windows Command Prompt, use the command `getmac` or `ipconfig` to display the interface names along with their corresponding MAC or IP addresses.

getmac

or

ipconfig

Understanding CMD and Network Interfaces

What is CMD?

Command Prompt (CMD) is a command-line interpreter available in various Windows operating systems. It allows users to execute commands to perform various system tasks, from simple file manipulations to more complex network configurations. CMD is a powerful tool for both novice users and advanced system administrators, enabling users to interact with the system directly and automate tasks through scripting.

What is a Network Interface?

A network interface refers to a hardware or software component that allows a device to connect to a network. In the context of computers, it typically represents the point at which the computer interfaces with networking hardware (such as a network card) or virtual interfaces (like software-based connections).

Network interfaces can be broadly classified into two categories:

• Wired interfaces (e.g., Ethernet) connect through physical cables and provide a stable connection.
• Wireless interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi) connect without cables, offering flexibility but with potential disruptions.

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Launching CMD

How to Access Command Prompt

To find the network interface name in Windows CMD, you first need to access the command prompt. Here’s how you can do that:

• Using the Start Menu: Click on the Start menu, type “cmd” or “Command Prompt” in the search bar, and hit enter. A CMD window will open.

• Using Run dialog: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type “cmd” and press Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.

Additionally, if you need administrative privileges for certain commands, right-click on the Command Prompt icon and select “Run as administrator.”

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Finding the Network Interface Name

Using the `ipconfig` Command

The `ipconfig` command is a vital tool for network diagnostics in Windows. This command provides information about your network configuration and allows you to view the details of each network interface.

• Command Example:

  ipconfig /all
  

• When you execute this command, you will see a wealth of information about your network interfaces. Look for the section labeled “Ethernet adapter” or “Wireless LAN adapter,” depending on your connection type.

• What to Look For: The names of network interfaces are typically listed under “Description.” For instance, you might see an entry that says “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet,” denoting the respective interfaces in your system.

In the output, you’ll also find essential details about each interface, such as the IPv4 Address and Subnet Mask, which can help you further understand your network setup.

Using the `Get-NetAdapter` Command (Windows PowerShell)

Alternatively, if you prefer using PowerShell, the `Get-NetAdapter` command provides an efficient way to view interface information. PowerShell is often utilized for its enhanced scripting capabilities.

• Command Example:

  Get-NetAdapter
  

• Upon execution, this command displays a list of all network adapters configured on your system. You will see columns like «Name,» «Status,» and «Mac Address.»

• Detailed Output Explanation: The Name column directly correlates to the network interface name you’re looking for. For example, it may show names like “Wi-Fi” for wireless connections or “Ethernet” for wired connections, along with their operational status (Up or Down), helping you quickly ascertain which interfaces are active.

Exploring the `netsh` Command

The `netsh` command is another powerful tool that aids in network configuration and communication troubleshooting.

• Command Example:

  netsh interface show interface
  

• Running this command provides a concise output showing the interfaces on your system along with their statuses.

• Interpreting the Output: Focus on the column labeled “Interface Name” to find the network interface names. The status will tell you whether an interface is connected or disconnected, which can be particularly useful in troubleshooting scenarios.

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Advanced Tips and Tricks

Filtering Results

If you have multiple interfaces and want to narrow your search, the `findstr` command can filter the output effectively.

• Using findstr Example:

  ipconfig /all | findstr /C:"Description"
  

• This command will return only the lines in the `ipconfig` output that contain the word “Description,” thus allowing you to focus directly on network interface names.

Saving Output to a File

For further analysis or documentation, you might want to save the output of your commands into a text file.

• Using Redirection Example:

  ipconfig /all > network_info.txt
  

• This command creates a file named `network_info.txt` in the current directory, containing the output of the `ipconfig /all` command. You can then review or share this file as needed.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

When trying to find your network interface names in CMD, you may encounter common errors:

• No interfaces found: This could happen if the network drivers are not installed or if the network interfaces are disabled. Ensure that your network adapters are working correctly and enabled in device settings.

• Access Denied: If certain commands require administrative privileges, make sure you are running CMD as an administrator.

For troubleshooting, verify your network connections and consider updating network drivers through the Device Manager.

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Conclusion

Knowing how to find network interface names in Windows CMD is crucial for effective network management and troubleshooting. Whether you prefer using `ipconfig`, `Get-NetAdapter`, or `netsh`, mastering these commands can help you navigate your network settings with confidence.

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Additional Resources

For further reading and detailed documentation on CMD commands, visit the official Microsoft documentation. You can also explore community forums and tutorials that delve into CMD networking and scripting techniques.

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FAQ Section

What are the differences between PowerShell and CMD?

PowerShell offers enhanced capabilities, incorporating both command-line features and a scripting language, enabling more complex tasks than CMD. CMD is more straightforward and often used for basic tasks, whereas PowerShell excels in automation and managing system complexities.

Can I find interface names on older versions of Windows?

Most commands discussed are compatible with older versions of Windows, though command syntax may vary slightly. It’s important to check related documentation for those specific versions.

Are there graphical alternatives to find network interface names?

Yes, Windows provides a graphical interface to view network settings, which can be accessed through Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. This method can be more user-friendly for those less familiar with command-line tools.

Узнаем список доступных интерфейсов сети
netsh wlan show interface
Выводим список Wifi сетей
netsh wlan show networks
Для подключения к WiFi сети служит команда
netsh wlan connect name=ИмяПрофиляСети

Можно указать конкретный интерфейс, при помощи которого выполнять подключение. Синтаксис таков: netsh wlan connect name=ИмяПрофиляСети interface=ИмяИнтерфейса
У меня бы это выглядело так:
netsh wlan connect name=TRENDnet interface=»Wireless Network Connection 3″

Отключение от WiFi сети Чтобы отключиться от WiFi сети, необходимо выполнить следующую команду
netsh wlan disconnect
Или указать конкретный интерфейс
netsh wlan disconnect interface=ИмяИнтерфейса
При помощи netsh можно просмотреть все доступные профили:
netsh wlan show profile
И, собственно, подключиться к сети с выбранным профилем:
netsh wlan connect ssid=ИмяСети name=ИмяПрофиляСети