No option for changing MAC address?

Question

I have been trying to change my MAC address. I find the device in my control panel, I right-click and choose properties. I then click on the advanced tab. However, Network Address is not among the properties.All I get are listed below:

Answer 1

The MAC address is programmed into an EEPROM/flash attached to the Ethernet controller and generally cannot be changed (at least not from Windows).

If the computer in question is a physical machine, you would need the firmware programming tool supplied by your Ethernet controller manufacturer (Realtek in your case). These utilities are usually not distributed publicly and often require an NDA with the vendor. However you can sometimes find them floating around on the web if you search. Be aware that if you make a mistake using the utility your Ethernet controller will probably be dead.

If the computer in question is a Virtual Machine, you may be able to control the MAC address via the hypervisor config files. https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=507

Answer 2

Updated Answer, as of 2022

Windows 10

For Windows 10 and windows 11, you can set a random MAC address in the Wifi Settings.
I don't think it works for Wired connections.

Settings > 
  Network & Internet > 
    Wi-Fi > 
      Manage known networks >
        Advanced Option > 
          Use Random hardware addresses: Set to True

Microsoft Documentation

Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, ...)

On linux, the tool macchanger allows you to temporally change the mac address of the network cards.

The following macchanger options are the most useful:

-h,  --help                   Print this help
-s,  --show                   Print the MAC address and exit
-a,  --another                Set random vendor MAC of the same kind
-A                            Set random vendor MAC of any kind
-p,  --permanent              Reset to original, permanent hardware MAC
-r,  --random                 Set fully random MAC
-m,  --mac=XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX  Set the MAC XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
             (...)

How to use macchanger:

## disable interface
sudo ifconfig wlan0 down
## Set random mac address
sudo macchanger -r wlan0
## Check new mac address
sudo machanger -s wlan0
# Current MAC:   00:b0:fe:24:da:a5 (ALFA, INC.)
# Permanent MAC: 00:b5:a2:bd:45:9c (...)
## enable interface
sudo ifconfig wlan0 up

Answer 3

Not all Wi-fi drivers or wireless card firmware supports reporting a different MAC address than the burned-in one.

This site mentions a utility called Technitium MAC Address Changer - I have a vague memory of using it years ago and it working when I was unable to change the MAC via the ncpa.cpl properties. You can give it a try, but I would verify your MAC address is actually changing.

If that doesn't work:

• See if you have luck installing the driver for this card directly from Realtek.

• Get a USB wifi dongle and see if you can change the MAC address on it after installation. Something with an Intel chip will probably support it (MAC randomization is a Windows feature after all).