Tutorial: Tips on how to remove or delete hidden network adapter on windows 10

HOW TO REMOVE HIDDEN NETWORK ADAPTER WINDOWS 10 : Usually Microsoft windows hide devices, which are not currently connected to the system, but they still exist in windows configuration. This might cause the problem when you need to locate and rename a network device in windows operating system and you will get the error “the connection already exist”, this is caused when the old adapters fails to remove IP configuration from the devices.

To resolve the issues, you will need to run command prompt with administrator right. Press Win + X to open the command prompt (Admin). Click yes on the prompted window to verify user account privileges.

In the command prompt type in “SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1” then press enter to allow the command to execute.

Types in again “START DEVMGMT.MSC” then press enter:

This command will open the special device manager window, on the menu click View; the list of options will be given to you, select Show Hidden Devices. Then expand the network adapter scroll down tray, you will see several hidden network adapter on your PC.

The unwanted device will appear dimmed, right click on dimmed network then click uninstall to remove it from your PC. Then now you can go back to network center and rename adapter to what you want.