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How to add an ethernet adapter in Windows 10?

Published in Network Adapters 3 mins read

Adding an ethernet adapter in Windows 10 typically involves physically installing the adapter and then installing the appropriate drivers. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Steps to Add an Ethernet Adapter

  1. Physical Installation:

    • Insert the ethernet adapter into your computer. This typically involves plugging it into an available PCI-e slot if it's an internal adapter or a USB port if it's an external adapter.

  2. Driver Installation: Windows 10 might automatically detect the adapter and install a generic driver. If not, you'll need to install the drivers manually.

  3. Manual Driver Installation (If Required):

    • Download the Updated Driver: Download the latest driver for your specific ethernet adapter from the manufacturer's website (e.g., TP-Link, Intel, Realtek). Extract the downloaded file if it's in a compressed format (like .zip).

    • Open Device Manager: There are a few ways to open Device Manager:

      • Option 1: Right-click on the Start button and select "Device Manager".
      • Option 2: Right-click on "This PC" (or "Computer Icon" on older versions), then click "Manage". In the Computer Management window, select "Device Manager".

    • Locate the Ethernet Adapter: In Device Manager, look for the ethernet adapter, which might be listed under "Ethernet Adapters," "Network Adapters," or as an "Unknown device" (if the driver isn't installed). If it is flagged with a yellow exclamation mark, this indicates that the driver is not installed properly, or at all.

    • Update the Driver: Right-click on the ethernet adapter and select "Update driver".

    • Browse for Driver Software: Select "Browse my computer for driver software".

    • Specify Driver Location: Click "Browse" and navigate to the folder where you extracted the downloaded driver files. Make sure to check the box that says "Include subfolders" if the driver files are in a subfolder.

    • Install the Driver: Click "Next" to install the driver. Windows will guide you through the installation process.

  4. Verification: After the driver installation is complete, the ethernet adapter should be properly recognized by Windows 10. You can verify this in the Device Manager; the adapter should no longer have a yellow exclamation mark.

  5. Network Configuration: Once the adapter is installed, configure your network settings (IP address, DNS servers, etc.) as needed. This can usually be done automatically via DHCP if you are connecting to a router. If not, consult your network administrator.

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