Enabling Random Hardware Addresses (MAC) for Wi-Fi in Windows 11

2024/07/31

Key Notes

Enabling random MAC addresses enhances privacy while using public Wi-Fi.
The feature can be activated for specific networks or all network connections.
Not all wireless adapters support MAC address randomization.

Boost Your Privacy: Enabling Random Hardware Addresses on Windows 11

This guide will help you activate random hardware addresses in Windows 11, a crucial step to improve your privacy and security when connecting to Wi-Fi networks.

Activate Random MAC Address for Specific Wi-Fi Network

Step 1: Open the Settings App

Navigate to the Settings application on your Windows 11 device.

Step 2: Access Network Settings

Click on Network & internet from the settings menu.

Step 3: Navigate to Wi-Fi Options

Select the Wi-Fi category to manage Wi-Fi settings.

Step 4: Open Connection Properties

Click on Properties for your active Wi-Fi connection.

Step 5: Choose Your MAC Address Option

Select either the “On” option to enable random addresses or choose “Change daily” for daily randomness.

Pro Tip: Selecting “Change daily” adds an extra layer of privacy by regularly cycling your MAC address.

Step 6: Disable If Necessary

If needed, you can disable this feature by selecting “Off”.

After following these steps, your PC will utilize a random MAC address when connecting to that specific Wi-Fi network.

Activate Random MAC Address for All Wi-Fi Networks

Step 7: Start from Settings

Open the Settings application again.

Step 8: Go to Network Settings

Click on Network & internet once more.

Step 9: Select Wi-Fi

Navigate to the Wi-Fi section.

Step 10: Enable Random MAC Addresses

Enable the “Random hardware addresses” toggle switch to activate the feature across all networks.

Pro Tip: This setting will enhance your privacy by making it difficult to trace your device across different Wi-Fi networks.

Step 11: Disable If Desired

You can turn off this feature later by toggling the “Random hardware addresses” switch off.

Once these steps are completed, your laptop will use a random MAC address while scanning for and connecting to available networks.

Summary

Enabling random hardware addresses on Windows 11 is a simple yet effective way to enhance your security and privacy while using Wi-Fi networks. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily manage your MAC address settings for specific or all networks.

Conclusion

Adopting random hardware addresses is a smart approach to safeguard your personal data and maintain privacy. Regularly reviewing your network settings can help ensure that your device remains secure against tracking and potential privacy breaches.