Nowadays, this is quite unlikely. Both mobile devices and computers integrate network adapters that cannot be separated from the set. In fact, any motherboard sold today will have a MAC associated with it , no matter what. As a result, computers can now be easily identified by their MAC address.
Who reports the MAC address?
Although the MAC address is a value associated with your device’s network card, it is the operating system that is responsible for displaying it to whoever requests it, be it a website or an application. That is why, although it is not possible to change the MAC address permanently, Windows can “invent” one and display it as if it were real.
Therefore, it is possible that operating systems have a function to mask the real MAC address and display a different one. This is precisely how the random MAC address works in Windows 11 .
Set a random MAC address in Windows 11 step by step
Please note that not all Wi-Fi networks will support the use of a random MAC address on Windows 11. After all, this is part of a device’s authentication within a network. If the network policy does not allow this feature, Windows will not be able to mask the MAC address . In any case, my advice is to enable this setting and simply let Windows take care of everything.
Another thing you should know is that the random MAC address in Windows 11 can be enabled in two ways. One is to turn it on by default on all WiFi networks . First, go into the system settings.
Go to the Network & Internet section . Then, tap on Wi-Fi .
Finally, enable the Random hardware addresses option .
f you want to enable this feature on a single WiFi network, do this:
- Open Settings : Click the Start button and select Settings .
- Go to Network and Internet .
- Select Wi-Fi from the list of options.
- Click Manage known networks .
- Select the WiFi network you want to connect to.
- You will see the option to Use random MAC address . Enable it if it is not already enabled. You also have the option to Change daily .
If you choose this method, keep in mind that it will only activate if you reconnect to the network. Simply disconnect and reconnect or restart your computer.
Advantages of Random MAC Address in Windows 11
Using random MAC address in Windows 11 has some advantages. Here are the most important ones:
- Improve privacy . Makes it harder for networks and hotspot operators to track your device’s behavior and identify you based on your MAC address.
- Increases security . Reduces exposure to attacks targeting specific devices, since the MAC address is not static.
- Anonymity on public networks . If you connect to public Wi-Fi networks frequently, you can appear as a new device each time, protecting your identity and data. To make it easier to activate the feature, choose the global method.
- Prevent lockouts – If your computer has been locked using the MAC address, enabling random MAC address in Windows 11 will help you bypass it.
Did you know that you could set a random MAC address in Windows 11? Tell us about your experience with this feature and other features specific to the Microsoft system. Let us know in the comments!