Every device that goes onto a network has a physical hardware ID known as the Media Access Control or MAC. Everything from your gaming console to your laptop will have a MAC address on their own which differentiates them from one another on a network.
Now there are numerous reasons why you’d like to know what is the MAC address of the device you’re using. It can be helpful if you’re setting up your router and want to block/allow specific devices from connecting or aforementioned, trying to find it on a network.
In this article, we bring you two ways you can quickly check the MAC address of your Windows PC/Laptop.
Also read: Every Windows 7 shortcut you must know
Finding out the MAC address of a Windows PC
Command Prompt method
This is hands down the quickest method of identifying your MAC address and other network details like your IP address, local DNS etc.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R and type in cmd
Step 2: When the command prompt opens, type in the following command:
ipconfig /all
Scroll down to your interface, and you’ll be able to see your MAC address as well as other network information.
Windows Settings method
Alternatively, you can also find out what your MAC address by going to the Windows Network settings page.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for ‘View network status and tasks’. Alternatively, you can go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
Step 2: Click on your active network connection.
Step 3: When the properties dialogue box opens, click on ‘Details’
Step 4: Scroll down to find ‘Physical Address’. This is your MAC address for the current network device.
There’s also a lot more information here as compared to the command prompt method. So in case you’re looking for something else as well, you can use this method.
Also read: How to find IP address and WiFi password in Windows 10?