Enable Random MAC Addresses in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

This post shows students and new users steps to turn On or Off Random Hardware MAC addresses for Wi-Fi in Windows 11. Windows can use random hardware MAC addresses when joining a Wi-Fi network. This can be useful, especially when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network that isn’t trusted.

Before your computer connects to a Wi-Fi network, it requests to join. The request your computer sends will include your machine’s unique physical hardware address (MAC). This unique number can be used to track your computer location and activities.

To enhance security against tracking by public Wi-Fi networks, you can enable random hardware MAC addresses on your computer if it supports this feature.

Using the random hardware addresses feature for Wi-Fi connections makes it harder for Wi-Fi to track your location when you connect or join it. You can apply this setting to all Wi-Fi networks or one you want to connect to.

When this feature is turned on for a specific network, random hardware addresses are used the next time you join that Network.

How to enable or disable random hardware addresses for Wi-Fi in Windows 11

As mentioned above, Windows can use random hardware MAC addresses when connecting to a Wi-Fi network to prevent Wi-Fi networks from tracking your computer MAC addresses and location.

Below is how to use this feature.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. As a result, everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its Settings app.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.

Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click on Network & internet, and select the Wi-Fi connections tile to expand it.

On the Wi-Fi connection settings pane, select the Random hardware Address tile. Then toggle the button to the On position to enable this feature for all Wi-Fi networks.

That should apply globally for all new Wi-Fi networks you join.

How to turn on random hardware addresses for specific Network

If you only want it to apply random hardware addresses to a specific network, choose the Wi-Fi network to which you want it to apply, then turn it on.

Go to the Start > Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi connections tile. Then, choose to Manage known networks on the Wi-Fi Connection settings pane.

Click on the Wi-Fi network you want to edit to open its properties pane.

On the Wi-Fi network properties window, choose On to enable all the time, Off to disable, and Change daily to replace the MAC addresses.

When you’re done, close the Settings app.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Enabling random hardware MAC addresses enhances your privacy when connecting to Wi-Fi networks.
• This feature can be applied globally for all networks or to specific networks of your choice.
• Using random hardware addresses makes it more difficult for others to track your location and activities over public Wi-Fi.
• Follow the outlined steps in Windows 11 to manage this setting and enhance your security while online easily.
• Remember to revisit these settings periodically to ensure your configurations meet your privacy needs.