ghost device appears at my home network on fresh Windows 11

Question

Hi

Recently completed a new installation of Windows 11 after C drive failure, I regularly found ghost device appears in my home network, such as mobile phone and Foxtel. we don't have these devices. They appear not assigned ip address, but with MAC address and name in its property. They may appear a few moments and then disappear or another device appears. I actually experience exactly similar events on Window 8 before. Why? and what are they? Can you fix it? Cheers

Answer 1

Hi. Thank you for your question and reaching out.

The devices are not linked if you do not see an IP address (and should not show as connected in your router). Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar is a Windows service that is the reason these appear in File Explorer.
The Windows Connect Now service helps you connect to your device if you use the Wireless Protected Setup feature.

utilizing the user interface instructions:

1. When you hit Win+R and type services.msc, log in as the administrator.
2. Double-click on the Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar service after finding it.
3. By selecting the Stop button in the dialog box, the service should cease immediately.
4. The Startup type was then changed to Disabled in the same dialog box by clicking Apply and then Okay to proceed.

PowerShell or the Command Prompt instructions:

Using the Start Menu's context menu, select PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).

Type the following instructions exactly as you see them:
halt net wcncsvc
wcncsvc configuration: start=disabled

Your neighbor's devices will continue to broadcast their presence, but you won't see them right now or once File Explorer restarts.

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