Removing Old/Extra Network Connections (NOT Wireless!)

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by DeathStalker77, Aug 14, 2015.

  1. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    #1 DeathStalker77, Aug 14, 2015
    I've been having issues since getting my new modem, and I've got additional Network names that I'd like to clean out. Actually, I'd like to clean out ALL network references and start clean (without having to re-install Windows!).

    Right now my Connections show "HOME 4". This is all ethernet, NOT wireless, and my ethernet adapter shows as "Network 4".

    I'd like to clean everything.

    Thanks much for any assistance!
     
  2. MrMagic

    MrMagic MDL Guru

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    #2 MrMagic, Aug 14, 2015
  3. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    #3 DeathStalker77, Aug 14, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2015
    (OP)
    That appears to be for devices in Device Manager ..... not sure it's the same thing .....


    =================

    No, it is not - it does not show the info that I am looking for.
     
  4. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    #4 DeathStalker77, Aug 15, 2015 (OP)
    Come one people, this can't be THAT hard. I tried removing a registry entry that was *supposed* to do it - didn't work - I removed the drivers, rebooted, re-installed, and I STILL get "Network 4", not "Network".
     
  5. bleedlikeme

    bleedlikeme MDL Novice

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    #5 bleedlikeme, Aug 15, 2015
    Device Manager >> View >> 'Show hidden devices'

    Expand Network adapters section

    Delete grayed-out (or unused) items
     

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  6. DeathStalker77

    DeathStalker77 MDL Senior Member

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    #6 DeathStalker77, Aug 15, 2015 (OP)
    Ok, if that's it, why am I showing "Network 11" and only a #2 hidden?
     
  7. kinotium

    kinotium MDL Novice

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    #7 kinotium, Aug 15, 2015
    <Insert registry editor warning here>

    Network profiles can be deleted from registry, they live in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Signatures\Unmanaged also holds one or more keys per network profiles. I don't know if cleaning these will reset the counter, but you can try.
     
  8. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller MDL Spinning Tortoise

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    #8 Carlos Detweiller, Aug 20, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    After deleting old network adapters, I had to manipulate an additional setting in Registry (I don't know if the GUID varies, but you should find it):

    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Network\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\Descriptions
    All network adapters (physical and virtual) are listed, each with a REG_MULTI_SZ value like "1 2 3 4", more or less numbers. Those represent the numbers that are used, for example, having a "1" for an adapter means the next will spawn with "#2" at the end. I had to remove all numbers from my NIC to have it re-detected without any number.