How to Remove Hidden Network Interfaces in Windows 11

If you're dealing with mysterious network interfaces that don't appear in the standard Device Manager view and are causing issues, such as constant restarts of your VPN software, you can use a workaround by using the netsh command to delete these interfaces. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get rid of them:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

1. Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

Step 2: Identify the Hidden Network Interfaces

1. Type the following command to list all network interfaces:

netsh interface show interface

2. Look for any interfaces that seem unnecessary or have names like "Connessione alla rete locale (LAN)* 1" or similar. Note down their Interface Index.

Step 3: Delete the Unnecessary Interfaces

1. For each interface you want to delete, use the following command:

netsh interface delete interface name="Interface Name"

2. Replace "Interface Name" with the exact name of the interface as it appears in the list.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

1. After deleting the interfaces, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.

Note:

Be cautious when using netsh commands, especially the delete command. Ensure that you are removing the correct interfaces and have backups of any important data or settings before proceeding.

Alternative Solution Using PowerShell

If you prefer using PowerShell, you can use the following script to remove network adapters:

$adapters = Get-NetAdapter -Hidden
foreach ($adapter in $adapters) {
    Remove-NetAdapter -Name $adapter.Name -Confirm:$false
}

Conclusion

Removing hidden network interfaces can help resolve issues with VPN software and other networking problems. By using the netsh command or PowerShell scripts, you can effectively manage these elusive network adapters.

If You Have Any Questions or Need Further Assistance:

Please don't hesitate to ask for more specific guidance or clarification on any of the steps mentioned above.

Sources:
- [Removing "hidden" network interfaces in Windows 11] (https://superuser.com/questions/1850866/removing-hidden-network-interfaces-in-windows-11)
- [How to Access Hidden Power and Processor Options in Windows 10] (https://superuser.com/questions/1437851/how-to-access-hidden-power-and-processor-options-in-windows-10)
- [How to show the Connection Bar in a remote desktop session?] (https://superuser.com/questions/120519/how-to-show-the-connection-bar-in-a-remote-desktop-session)
- [Logging into a hidden user account on Windows 10] (https://superuser.com/questions/1428951/logging-into-a-hidden-user-account-on-windows-10)
- [Windows command-line command to list hidden folders] (https://superuser.com/questions/277379/windows-command-line-command-to-list-hidden-folders)
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- [What is the hidden, system Config.msi folder? - Super User] (https://superuser.com/questions/8012/what-is-the-hidden-system-config-msi-folder)
- [command line - How To Execute Cmd.exe Silently? - Super User] (https://superuser.com/questions/191149/how-to-execute-cmd-exe-silently)
- [windows 10 - Remove an unused/hidden network connection so …] (https://superuser.com/questions/1257859/remove-an-unused-hidden-network-connection-so-that-an-existing-name-can-be-reuse)