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Multiple Hyper-V Virtual Ethernet Adapters keep spawning in the Device Manager

Anonymous
2020-07-04T09:48:18+00:00

Hello,

I have a Windows 10 Pro (2004) freshly installed and these adapters keep spawning in the Device Manager. I don't even know what they are for. I deleted them ("Uninstall the device" function), but they re-appeared after a restart. I tried disabling the VMMS via the Hyper-V manager console, but it didn't stop them from appearing. I have also noticed that right after a restart and log-on my WiFi connection, while enabled, has no Internet access and I have to disconnect it and reconnect. Is there a link between two problems?

I'll appreciate if you answer several questions.

  1. What are they?
  2. Why are they needed for?
  3. Is the behaviour a sign of some malicious activity?
  4. Can they mess-up my Internet connection somehow?
  5. How do I get rid of them completely and do I need to in the first place?

I don't use any virtual machines except for the Windows Sandbox.

Regards,

Al

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-14T09:54:37+00:00

    I've had the same problem after enabling Application Defender, which I then quickly disabled again, but have been annoyed by spawning Hyper-V Adapters ever since.

    My solution has been the following:

    1. Remove the remaining Hyper-V adapters through Device Manager
    2. Enable/Install Hyper-V through the Windows Options dialogue & restart
    3. Rmove all Hyper-V adapaters through Device Manager
    4. Disable/Uninstall Hyper-V through the Windows Options dialogue & restart

    This solved the problem for me. Although it's only been today - maybe they'll come back. But seems to work.

    Seems to me that the install/uninstall feature of Hyper-V simply does not remove network adapters which are in use. That would be a bug, I guess.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-05T07:57:16+00:00

    Hi Carl,

    I did as you instructed and it didn't remove them. I'm not sure what you would like to see on the screenshot. Here is the Device Manager and the Windows Components showing that the Hyper-V tools are uninstalled, but there are still 4 Hyper-V adapters. Please, tell me if you need something else.

    Regards,

    Al

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-04T09:57:53+00:00

    Hi Capt,

    My name is Carl and I am an independent Windows 10 advisor.

    1+2. They are virtual adapters required for the virtual machines running on HyperV

    1. No they are just networking to allow VM's to communicate with either themselves or with the internet or even in isolation
    2. Theoretically they could but that would take assigning them the same IP's or such like but they shouldn't cause any issues
    3. I believe you'd have to remove HyperV - if you are using HyperV then ignore the below but:
    4. Click Start and type 'Control Panel' and open that
    5. Depending on the view you have click 'Uninstall a program' or 'Programs and Features'
    6. Click 'Turn Windows features on or off' on the left hand side
    7. Untick 'HyperV'

    As said if you are using it then you can ignore step 5 and know that it's running as designed.

    Kind regards,

    Carl.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-07-07T08:27:48+00:00

    Carl,

    I did everything as you instructed backing up both branches and deleting every single key. But after a restart they are there again.

    Al

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-07-05T11:34:23+00:00

    Hi

    Thanks for the screenshot I just wanted to confirm that they were listed as HyperV adapters.

    Can you check under these keys and screenshot them:

    1. Click Start
    2. Type RegEdit and accept the prompt if prompted then check under:

    (HKLM = HKEY_Local_Machine)

    HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VMSMP\Parameters\NicList

    HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VMSMP\Parameters\SwitchList

    If there are entries under there for HyperV we can remove them but we need to backup the registry first. If you want confirmation then please send me a screenshot of the entries under those keys.

    To do this, in RegEdit, click the Key (NicList or SwitchList) then click File then Export. Export them to a place you can easily find. To import them click on NicList or SwitchList and click File / Import.

    Kind regards,

    Carl.

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