I just had the issue that Virtualbox showed me two network adapters if I choose to create a bridged network. However, both network adapters were no longer existing and with none of the normal Windows commands you were able to see and delete these adapters.

Even searching the registry for the adapter names did not get a result back.

I then found this solution here.

The registry key, where the adapter entries are stored, are hidden even from a user running with administrative permissions

You need to run the “regedit” command with “TrustedInstaller” privileges in order to see and delete them.

You can use this tool here to do this.

You then find the orphaned entries under this registry key and can just delete from:

As always: Export the deleted entries first before you delete them. Just in case …

Windows 10: Delete Orphaned Network Adapters
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3 thoughts on “Windows 10: Delete Orphaned Network Adapters

  • 17.12.2021 at 03:57
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    The files at the link you have given for ‘this tool’ are being reported as suspicious and the 32-bit executable is reported as having a virus.

    Reply
    • 17.12.2021 at 07:46
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      Hi, Stephan, not sure whiy this is the case for you. VirusTotal is not reporting any issues.

      https://www.virustotal.com/gui/url/1a86feb1cb6a663bea54f96144bf02dc50336765f578015522d2f78ccf918dec?nocache=1

      https://www.virustotal.com/gui/url/7f77e7db59161261e51894cba0806d68297a222370d2ed204d4aba0490413912?nocache=1

      MS Defender Smartscreen does me warn as well. However I guess it is because it is an executable file and with this file you would be able to run programs as “TrustedInstaller” privileges, which can be very dangerous.

      So I guess that is why Microsoft gives you that warning.

      Reply

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