In case you need to find the Mac Address of your PC or MacBook, you will find below the steps to find MAC Address on Windows computers and MacBooks.
Find Mac Address On Windows PC and Mac
Every device on a network subnet is identified by its own unique hardware identification number, which is commonly known as MAC (Media Access Control) Address.
In general, users want to know the MAC Address of their PC or Mac to troubleshoot network issues and to ensure Network Security by setting up MAC Address Filtering.
MAC Address Filtering is a commonly used security feature that can be setup on most wireless routers to prevent unauthorized access to the Network.
In MAC Address Filtering, the Router is configured to accept traffic requests only from specified or listed MAC Addresses and block all other requests.
This way the Network remains protected, even if someone manages to hijack the IP Address and tries to gain access using your IP Address.
Difference Between MAC and IP Address
IP Address is linked to the Networking software (TCP/IP) of the computer, where as MAC Address is linked to the hardware of the Network Adapter.
The MAC Address is coded into the Network Adapter during the manufacturing process and can be considered as being permanent (although it can be spoofed).
In comparison, IP Addresses are dynamically assigned by DHCP and keep changing, unless a Static IP Address is being used on the computer.
For this reason, MAC Address is also known as burned-in address (BIA) or the actual Physical Address of a device.
1. Steps to Find MAC Address in Windows 10
Follow the steps below to find the MAC Address on Windows 10 computer.
1. Open Settings and click on Network & Internet.
2. On Network & Internet screen, click on the Network (WiFi or Ethernet) in the left-pane. In the right-pane, double-click on your Network Name.
3. On the next screen, you will find MAC Address listed next to Physical address (MAC) entry, under “Properties” section.
2. Find Mac Address On MacBook, Mac Mini or iMac
Follow the steps below to find MAC Address on MacBook, Mac Mini or iMac.
1. Click on the Apple Logo in top-menu bar and select System Preferences option in the drop-down menu.
2. On System Preferences screen, click on the Network option.
3. On the Network screen, click on the Network type (WiFi or Ethernet) and click on the Advanced button, located at the lower right corner of your screen.
4. On the next screen, click on the Hardware tab and you will find the MAC Address listed at the top of the Hardware screen.
3. Find Mac Address Using Command Prompt in Windows 10
Perhaps the quickest way to find MAC Address in Windows 10 is by using command prompt.
1. Right-click on Start button and click on Command Prompt.
2. On Command prompt window, type ipconfig /all and press the Enter key on the keyboard of your computer. This will display your network configuration.
3. Once the command is executed, scroll down to “Ethernet Adapter” section and you will find the MAC Address of Ethernet Network listed next to Physical Address entry.
Similarly, the MAC address of your WiFi Network will be listed under Wireless Lan Adapter section.
Now that you have the MAC addresses, you can Login to Router and setup MAC Address filtering to secure your Network.
