All over the net people who need to change their physical MAC address are being denied access to the internet by this BUG. I need to change my MAC to connect to my AP, its as simple as that. Had to go back to XP to get access to the net....sad and inexcusable Fix it and advertise the fix please Unbelievable

What are you talking about? You cannot change your MAC address!!!

Not sure what your problem is, but read this post http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/697bf48c-a226-4315-8875-2bbeddf16db2

Can't actually change the physical address on the card itself, but you can spoof any mac address, see link above. It's been done for years.

Can't actually change the physical address on the card itself, but you can spoof any mac address, see link above. It's been done for years. I know it can be done, ive been doing it on XP for eons (in fact im doing it right now to access the net and write this) and even that godawful Vista So i do know what im doing, and i am using the bog standard driver/advanced/network address option to do it Im telling you, again, that Win 7 ignores it completely :)

Hi, Please try the following steps. 1. Click Start menu and type "devmgmt.msc" (without quotation marks) in the open box and click OK. 2. Expand "Network adapters" and right click the NIC which you would like to change MAC address, and then click "Properties". 3. Switch to "Advanced" tab and click "Network address" in "Property". 4. Select "Value" option and type the new MAC address you would like to use, such as 123456789000 5. Click OK and exist. Then, please run relevant command to view MAC address, we can see the address is already changed. 1. Click Start menu and type "CMD" (without quotation marks) in the open box. Right click it and click "Run as administrator". 2. Type the following command: Ipconfig /all Then, we can see the new MAC address (Physical Address). Thanks, Novak

Hi, Please try the following steps. 1. Click Start menu and type "devmgmt.msc" (without quotation marks) in the open box and click OK. 2. Expand "Network adapters" and right click the NIC which you would like to change MAC address, and then click "Properties". 3. Switch to "Advanced" tab and click "Network address" in "Property". 4. Select "Value" option and type the new MAC address you would like to use, such as 123456789000 5. Click OK and exist. Then, please run relevant command to view MAC address, we can see the address is already changed. 1. Click Start menu and type "CMD" (without quotation marks) in the open box. Right click it and click "Run as administrator". 2. Type the following command: Ipconfig /all Then, we can see the new MAC address (Physical Address). Thanks, Novak Sorry mate, like ive already pointed out, i know what im doing, and i have done all that in fact its exactly what i do in XP to be here with you now :) Can i say Windows 7 has a BUG any more clearly?? Im actually getting tired of saying it. Rule 1: Dont blame an end user with nearly 30 years of experience Rule 2: Accept that you have a BUG, its your problem Microsoft Rule 3: Fix the BUG

Which version of Windows 7 was installed on the machine, RTM, RC or Beta? How did you get it, via downloaded from Internet or other location?Actually, I have tested on several machine and it worked. Can you tell me which step failed? Did you see "Network address" option in Network adapter properties? If so, please type the new address and apply OK. Then can you see the new physical address via "IPCONFIG /ALL". Please let me more. If possible, please upload the picture to Skydrive (www.skydrive.live.com ) and share the link to me.Thanks,Novak

Which version of Windows 7 was installed on the machine, RTM, RC or Beta? How did you get it, via downloaded from Internet or other location? Actually, I have tested on several machine and it worked. Can you tell me which step failed? Did you see "Network address" option in Network adapter properties? If so, please type the new address and apply OK. Then can you see the new physical address via "IPCONFIG /ALL". Please let me more. If possible, please upload the picture to Skydrive (www.skydrive.live.com ) and share the link to me. Thanks, Novak Im using Windows 7 downloaded from TechNet Im using the X86 version And i have already said in previous posts that i tried the usual Network Address option in the adapters properties, why do people keep repeating things which i have already tried, again, i am not a newbie here... Im using that same Network Address option in the adapters properties right now in XP, just as i was last time i posted.... Ive tried several atheros drivers, including the latest ones fomr the windows update catalogue , last ones are dated 5-10-2009 (d-m-yyyy im in OZ) and include, quite funnily, the debug files .... Its a no go, you can put the mac address in and ipconfig /all all you like, it isnt going to change the fact that it DOESNT WORK

Ok guys,here's my question,i have spoofed my own "mac" address by adding the NetworkAddress in the Class tree,however i use a HSPA modem and i also have another parameter named DefaultGatewayMac in the networklists under the Hkey_local_machine\software etc...my question is i just used the same valuesfor DefaultGatewayMac to the NetworkAddress entry,is that a good practice or i should set different values for both and by the way, the DefaultGatewayMac is a binaryvalue,and it was setbydefault to 0000000000000000 so i changed those zeros to my customnumbers/letters and then used the same size for networkaddress which is 16 numbers,is that ok?any helpis greatly appreciated,RR

Hi, Sorry for delay. Actually, we cannot change the physical address on the card itself, we can only spoof the mac address by modifying the settings in Network Properties. Please capture a screenshot of the "Network address" option in Network adapter properties and upload it to Skydrive (www.skydrive.live.com) , and then share the link to me for research. For more information about changing Mac address, please refer to the link below: How to change a MAC address on Windows 7 Thanks, Novak

After testing on several Windows 7 machines,the Mac Address can be modified successfully on each of them. (Some is installed Windows 7 Ultimate, some is Windows 7 Professional and Home Premium). Since the Mac Address can be modified on some Windows 7 machines, we cannot conclude this is a bug.This issue can occur by incompatible driver or corrupted system files. At this stage, it's highly recommended to upgrade your Motherboard driver and Network adapter driver. If there is driver for Windows 7 currently, you can install the driver for Windows Vista in compatibility mode instead.If the issue still occurs, I suggest you do a clean installation for a test.Thanks,Novak

I have tried of everything. I have changed every possible driver on the card wifi but nothing. I succeed only in changing the mac address of the card of net lan.

I have several wireless cards. I believe at least one has a h/w register for the MAC address that is r/w. It can be changed as you say, stylemessiah. I am only butting in to say, this is not spoofing . You literally are changing the MAC address with your utility if that register is being rewritten. </ Butting out > hehe butt in all you like, i have no issue with what youre saying at all :) Frankly i was enjoying someone adding a comment that didnt treat me like a 13 year old newbie and try to reiterate points and advice already dispensed (and actually tried before i even posted:) ) im not talking about changing any h/w registers or anything of the sort I just want to be able to spoof the MAC via the same old driver option as ive done in every other version of windows ive run, its comical that Vista, which i LOATHED and uninstalled after 24 hours, worked fine, but in Windows 7...the Windows version that Vista was supposed to be, and a BIG improvement it FAILS Thats called a regression bug Microsoft....look it up, they get solved in Open source software every day of the week, its called supporting your users As opposed ot the bury the head in the sand and blame your users approach evidenced in this thread, so far......

I have several wireless cards. I believe at least one has a h/w register for the MAC address that is r/w. It can be changed as you say, stylemessiah. I am only butting in to say, this is not spoofing . You literally are changing the MAC address with your utility if that register is being rewritten.</ Butting out > hehe butt in all you like, i have no issue with what youre saying at all :)Frankly i was enjoying someone adding a comment that didnt treat me like a 13 year old newbie and try to reiterate points and advice already dispensed (and actually tried before i even posted:) )im not talking about changing any h/w registers or anything of the sortI just want to be able to spoof the MAC via the same old driver option as ive done in every other version of windows ive run, its comical that Vista, which i LOATHED and uninstalled after 24 hours, worked fine, but in Windows 7...the Windows version that Vista was supposed to be, and a BIG improvement it FAILSThats called a regression bug Microsoft....look it up, they get solved in Open source software every day of the week, its called supporting your usersAs opposed ot the bury the head in the sand and blame your users approach evidenced in this thread, so far...... Have you tried reinstalling the driver in compatibility mode for Vista or XP as long as the driver gives you the option change the value of network interface? That would avoid any registry tweeks, 3rd party soft or batch files created without damaging your hardware or permanently being forced.Regards

I would be tempted to make connection between this and licensing control, since a MAC address can easily serve as a unique fingerprint.However, considering you mention it does propagate correctly through the 64bit registry, I would guess in this case there is just some 32bit compatibility problem that needs to be tracked down. ::))Hi,most of...computer componentsserve as a unique fingerprint "but as long as..it's not that expensive - story" can very easily install different drivers instead the recommanded or provided why not change a mac address, can only get malfunctioned or broken h/w.

I find a proper way on how to change Mac address under windows 7. Windows 7 is very strange on changing Mac address, it can only be done sucessfully if you start the MAC adress on the first two characters start from 12 XX XX XX XX XX (You can put any number after 12) For example, if you want to change mac address for a lan card , you should start the mac address from this style , such as 12 A6 57 32 76 D4. Then the Mac address changing for a lan card should be done sucessfully. Also I recommend that Mac Makeup Ver. 1.95d is the best MAC changing software for windows 7, I have tested it and always sucessfully changing the mac address starting from 12 XX XX XX XX XX. You can download Mac Makeup from http://www.gorlani.com/publicprj/macmakeup/macmakeup.asp

I find a proper way on how to change Mac address under windows 7. Windows 7 is very strange on changing Mac address, it can only be done sucessfully if you start the MAC adress on the first two characters start from 12 XX XX XX XX XX (You can put any number after 12) For example, if you want to change mac address for a lan card , you should start the mac address from this style , such as 12 A6 57 32 76 D4. Then the Mac address changing for a lan card should be done sucessfully. Also I recommend that Mac Makeup Ver. 1.95d is the best MAC changing software for windows 7, I have tested it and always sucessfully changing the mac address starting from 12 XX XX XX XX XX. You can download Mac Makeup from http://www.gorlani.com/publicprj/macmakeup/macmakeup.asp Thanks for the post, but starting my MAC address, and i think for everyone else experiencing the issue, with 12 isnt really a fix :) Its not your fault, its Microsoft's! The insanity is that i can even run a frankenMac OSX install on this PC and connect to the internet...but Windows 7....no way p.s. I agree that MAC Makeup is a good util, simple, clean and does the job, ive used it before

Over a week after Windows 7 release and all i have is a shiny coaster with a useless OS on itStill cant connect to the internet with Windows 7Have i heard form anyone from Microsoft, NODid they ever return an email when i reported this issue during beta testing...NOCould they give a ____ now...NOUnder Linux it would very likely have been fixed BEFORE release as the vendors and release groups actually LISTEN to their usersAnd if the bug had of made it into the release, it would likely have been fixed within 2 days......Getting tired of the inaction, and watching the bug reports mount across the interweb.... It's sad you see this way, I guess 80% of your h/w comp drivers are not windows 7 logo certified, mostly being imported from previous versions of windows and declared compatible, linux has also plenty driver issues but doesn't give you the opportunity to express yourself ona linux signed forum giving you the option to compile yourself the driver or fix the problem asking assistance not claiming support.Regards

My PC uses the same drivers as yours included on DVD but they are shaped for Windows 7 not certified, adding an extra line with Windows 7 in .inf file (about you were talking) doesn't mean drivers are designed for fully functionality in Windows 7 is for checking signature purpuses only.A personal advise would be download the latest drivers from manufact. web site and run the setup.exe in compatibility mode were designed for...could be shortcut and an alternative of downloading a freeware instead and see your issue solved.Regards

In this case I might need your advice, I'm also an end user and not doing what microsoft does or at least in your oppinion,thewifi driver of my PCdoesn't even give the option to change the address or insert a value for the MAC address, who should I blame in case would be necessary to change the MAC address?The manufacturer/vendor-probably the answer wouldbe as simple as "changing the h/w id can cause malfunctions of it and no assistance for such a issues will be provided", microsoft..."before asking for support make sure that your h/w is on compatibility list and certified and for further technical support contact your vendor/manufacturer"...also does notprovide any warranty for 3rd party software.Any advice...or solution?Regards

If your wifi driver doesnt have the option then youre unlucky, mine does, always has, and was designed to have one. I actually bought it because it had this fucntionailty as i needed it. It is supported on the hardware list, how many times do i have to point out the drivers i have last tested came WITH Windows 7 and were also downloaded of windows update (as advised by Microsoft themselves in another thread)It also works under every version of window until Windows 7.Im not going to get into a hypothetical conversation with you....i half expect the next post to be "If i have a network card that doesnt have XX option, but it was delivered to me by unicorn....."Unicorns dont exist, and neither does a solution to Microsofts bug.Get it into your thick skull, its their BUG, im just trying to live with it.If you want to carry on like a fanboy, you'd be welcome over at the apple forums where fanboys are tolerated.........mostly because ignorance tolerates ignorance and theyre all sheep I rely red all your posts and the conclusion, suggestion...I'm not a computer literate, never studied medicine but I guessyou need the prescription changed...but you gonna tell me not taking sedatives (unless using contraceptics which...still the same kind for some sort of a kind::)..it's like the 3rd or 4th time I've not and no one else reported as abuse..you can also have this satisfaction but none of the above match an reply or quote when others trying to helpsolve your issue...unless forgot you are not writting to..Microsoft Technical Team or vendors of your h/w.Regards

We really need a fix for this issue! I've tried everything in this thread without any results. This worked in XP and if nothing happens I've to downgrade because I must be able to connect to my Work Office.

We really need a fix for this issue! I've tried everything in this thread without any results. This worked in XP and if nothing happens I've to downgrade because I must be able to connect to my Work Office. They just continue to IGNORE us in afraid Way to go Microsoft

Are all of you that are having this problem using a network card made by the same manufacturer? The reason I'm asking is, the above mentioned steps seem to work just fine on my wireless NIC card. Maybe the manufacturer disabled the ability to spoof the MAC address in thier windows 7 driver? Maybe try switching out your wireless card with one from another manufacturer?

Im having the same problem, its driving me crazy! I cant find a single solution to the problem on any website. I tried changing the address to something starting with 12 just to see if it works, and it does.. but thats no use cuz i need it to start with 00! Im sure ur having the same problem too.Stylemessiah, do you think there is some place in the registry that we can change that value of 12 to what ever we want? There has to be a way to be able to fix it via the regsitry.Please if you come up with a solution let me know, my email is roryh86[at]hotmail.com. If i come with anything il let u know too, il post it over here.By the way, im trying to change the mac address of my intel wifi 4965AGN.. On the other hand, changing the mac address of my Aethros LAN card to anything I want seems to work just fine, no restriction to 12 xx xx xx xx, which is really weird.And im using Windows 7 RTM x64 bit.p.s: youve written a ____ of a lot in this thread! how do u have the energy?:P

No its not just a 32bit issue.Im currently using Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and Im have the problemyour facing. I have the final build string 7600.16385. So it doesnt have anything to do with the base code being different between 32 and 64 bit.

Just read through this whole thread...Mr. stylemessiah, it seems to me you actually had the Microsoft China people interestedin helping youfor a while... They asked you to do something specific to further their debugging process - quite likely to educate them as much as anything else - and you refused.I suspect you'd get further if you did what they asked, however pedestrian it seems to you. After that I suspect there's a possibility they'd take it it to the next step.It's pretty clear no one here is interacting directly with Microsoft Engineering,nor the decision makers whochose to make things work differently. All we have are these nice folksfrom China who are trying in their way to help... Maybe you should try to play their game a bit?Just my opinion (I have 34 years computer experience, by the way).-Noel

Just read through this whole thread...Mr. stylemessiah, it seems to me you actually had the Microsoft China people interestedin helping youfor a while... They asked you to do something specific to further their debugging process - quite likely to educate them as much as anything else - and you refused.I suspect you'd get further if you did what they asked, however pedestrian it seems to you. After that I suspect there's a possibility they'd take it it to the next step.It's pretty clear no one here is interacting directly with Microsoft Engineering,nor the decision makers whochose to make things work differently. All we have are these nice folksfrom China who are trying in their way to help... Maybe you should try to play their game a bit?Just my opinion (I have 34 years computer experience, by the way).-Noel If wouldn't have seen the picture several times would have bet you are the China's Big MAC, but you also came with no support for the consumers, but suggestions irelevant to their needs...a sort of messanger?:)Nothing personal but I guess it's the way you like to play...stylemessiah looks quiet desperate...or...Regards

You've already identified the post in which someone asked you to do something and you flat refused. Your arrogant attitude clearly isn't working, and yet you seemto prefer to rant than to even bend a little in the interest of cooperating. "Here's the screen shot you requested, along with some other pertinent information" would likely have gotten you further, that's all I'm saying.I'll put it succinctly: Novak Wu takes an interest in what you're reporting and asks for more info. You flat refuse to provide it and use threatening language. Novak stops helping.It doesn't take a rocket scientist to imagine he figures his time is probably better spent with cooperative customers.Hey, there's stuff about this systembothers the ____ out of me too, and I've even been known to get pissy about it, but other than maybe making me feel a little better doing so never helps make it better. Never.>If wouldn't have seen the picture several times would have bet you are the China's Big MACI have no idea what that's supposed to mean, but I'm a Windows user just like you -trying to both get some education on how best to use it and to help others when I can in the spirit of giving back. Forums and the sharing of experienceis the best thing the Internet has to offer.-Noel P.S., no need to thank me for helping keep your thread on the top of the list. :)

>If wouldn't have seen the picture several times would have bet you are the China's Big MACI have no idea what that's supposed to mean, but I'm a Windows user just like you -trying to both get some education on how best to use it and to help others when I can in the spirit of giving back. Forums and the sharing of experienceis the best thing the Internet has to offer.-Noel P.S., no need to thank me for helping keep your thread on the top of the list. :) Hi Noel,That's the most pertinent quote to this thread, it just seemed to me you gave the abusers a sort of satisfaction with the previous post, already takes too long to read all the posts with the meaning of help on this thread.And I guess you didn't readall before posting on this thread.Regards

Hi,Above all, sorry for my english.I don't think it's a bug, is intentionally made...MAC address: "XY-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX""X" can be anything hexadecimal.The hexadecimal "Y", written in binary format, isY: "kmnp", where "p" is the least significant bit; p=0 --> unicast; p=1 --> multicast; n=0 --> globally assigned MAC; n=1 --> locally administered;So, actually MAC can be changed not only to 12-XX-...,but to any combination in which p=0 and n=1;"Y" can be 2, 6, A or E.I think it can be tweaked in registry, since it apply only to Wireless,not to Ethernet adapters. But I don't have much timeto experiment.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:MAC_addressRegards

Hi,Above all, sorry for my english.I don't think it's a bug, is intentionally made...MAC address: "XY-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX""X" can be anything hexadecimal.The hexadecimal "Y", written in binary format, isY: "kmnp", where "p" is the least significant bit; p=0 --> unicast; p=1 --> multicast; n=0 --> globally assigned MAC; n=1 --> locally administered;So, actually MAC can be changed not only to 12-XX-...,but to any combination in which p=0 and n=1;"Y" can be 2, 6, A or E.I think it can be tweaked in registry, since it apply only to Wireless,not to Ethernet adapters. But I don't have much timeto experiment.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:MAC_addressRegards Finally, someone who actually said something useful! This is a step forward. If only everyone on this thread could say something useful like that without having to argue like a bunch of school girls.I tried testing N.Eee's method to see if examples like 1A, 02, 16 0E in the first two spaces of the mac address works and indeed it does. Any hexadecimal works in the first space of the MAC Address. The only problem now is to figure out how to make the second space in the mac address be hexadecimal too.I will do further research and let you know if anything comes up.Please if anyone has good technical computer skills, try to give it a go. Help would be appreciated.Thanks!

Same problem here (now). I don't know why, but is this: - I tryed many win7 beta versions from microsoft.com (builds 7000, 7100 and 7200) never had that problem. - So I bought some oem keys for my desktop and notebook, in desk everything runs fine, but in notebook doesn't; wireless's mac is fixed (is a usb wireless adapter). - I tested several times, that same adapter with the same driver works fine in desk but not in noteeobk. - But somehow desktop stoped to change the wlan macs too. I used the System Recovery and everything back to normal (wlan was able to change it's mac again). - And now I had to format my desk (bought a new harddisk) and nothing is this world makes the wlan's mac 'changeable' again... I have to change it (at least at notebook) because someone (I don't know who) haves the same MAC address at my college.

Hi, Above all, sorry for my english. I don't think it's a bug, is intentionally made... MAC address: "XY-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX" "X" can be anything hexadecimal. The hexadecimal "Y", written in binary format, is Y: "kmnp", where "p" is the least significant bit; p=0 --> unicast; p=1 --> multicast; n=0 --> globally assigned MAC; n=1 --> locally administered; So, actually MAC can be changed not only to 12-XX-..., but to any combination in which p=0 and n=1; "Y" can be 2, 6, A or E. I think it can be tweaked in registry, since it apply only to Wireless, not to Ethernet adapters. But I don't have much timeto experiment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:MAC_address Regards Finally, someone who actually said something useful! This is a step forward. If only everyone on this thread could say something useful like that without having to argue like a bunch of school girls. I tried testing N.Eee's method to see if examples like 1A, 02, 16 0E in the first two spaces of the mac address works and indeed it does. Any hexadecimal works in the first space of the MAC Address. The only problem now is to figure out how to make the second space in the mac address be hexadecimal too. I will do further research and let you know if anything comes up. Please if anyone has good technical computer skills, try to give it a go. Help would be appreciated. Thanks! Unfortunately, its not a step forward, you cant start a MAC address with 00, which is what i need to do, and what ive done with this card (and others) for every previous version of windows. I agree its a nice theory as shared above, but the essential point youre missing is that previous to Windows 7, there was no issue using any MAC address you liked. Therefore i believe this means that there is some code within Windows 7 that interprets the NetworkAddress value differently than its predecessors. And why? And why does it appear to do so randomly, most 64bit people have no issue for example. This again leads me to call it a bug.

I want a solution of this problem too. I had windows xp and recently upgraded to windows 7 professional edition. In xp i can easily change the MAC address but in windows 7 its giving me a lot of hard times and now i m facing problems accessing my school network. I have gone through the whole thread and tried them all nothing worked so far. So i just wanna know is there any person from microsoft who is monitoring this thread please come up at least with a reply that it is a bug and how much time you guys gonna need to solve this otherwise you people can suggest us to move to other OS. But we want a feedback. Regards

I am having the same problem on a Panasonic CF-52 Toughbook with an Intel 5100 WiFi on the technet download of Windows 7 Ultimate x64. I can change my NIC's MAC using any of the normal methods(NetwokAddress in registry, third party utilities, driver page through device manager), but nothing works for the WiFi. I badly need this functionality to connect to my Exchange and VPN. I'm dual booting linux right now just to post this in the hopes Microsoft will pay attention if enough people report this issue.

I am having the same problem on a Panasonic CF-52 Toughbook with an Intel 5100 WiFi on the technet download of Windows 7 Ultimate x64. I can change my NIC's MAC using any of the normal methods(NetwokAddress in registry, third party utilities, driver page through device manager), but nothing works for the WiFi. I badly need this functionality to connect to my Exchange and VPN. I'm dual booting linux right now just to post this in the hopes Microsoft will pay attention if enough people report this issue. Yeah i got the same for NIC it simply works but for Wifi no luck

Hi guys ! I had the identical issue as stylemessiah except i'm running a 64x version of Windows 7 Ultimate with an Intel Pro Wireless 4965agn card (newest drivers v.13.0.0.2 and digitally signed). I tried every suggestion here and everywhere else regedit various mac changing utilities etc. but it wouldnt budge to nothing except 12-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX until I tried downgrading my wifi drivers to version 11.5.1.2. Now it works ! ! ! I just have to change the string in the registry and walla. I am not sure if this is the case with all of you who can't change your MAC because on XP I had no problems in switching my mac address with every version of the drivers so I too was sure it was just a win7 buggie but now I think its both driver and win7 related. Goodluck ! ! !

Hi guys ! I had the identical issue as stylemessiah except i'm running a 64x version of Windows 7 Ultimate with an Intel Pro Wireless 4965agn card (newest drivers v.13.0.0.2 and digitally signed). I tried every suggestion here and everywhere else regedit various mac changing utilities etc. but it wouldnt budge to nothing except 12-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX until I tried downgrading my wifi drivers to version 11.5.1.2. Now it works ! ! ! I just have to change the string in the registry and walla. I am not sure if this is the case with all of you who can't change your MAC because on XP I had no problems in switching my mac address with every version of the drivers so I too was sure it was just a win7 buggie but now I think its both driver and win7 related. Goodluck ! ! ! Good to hear you at least have a working wifi! Ive lost count of the number of drivers ive tried...theres no driver solution for me, and im using a bog standard atheros based card. Theres no shortage of drivers available, but none work. The registry option is completely ignored for me no matter which driver im using. Ive only been bringing this to their attention for like 5 months....nothing like being ignored. I mean their MO is to rush a release and make money They had plenty of time to fix this in beta stage but they ignored my bug reports completely, and continue to do so.... At least youre working and on less person affected!

have anyone tried adding in the registry a BINARY entry named: DefaultGatewayMac i know it mostly works on RAS interfaces but u can give it a try!Kind regards,RR

BTW im also facing problems with Mac address ,i use a HSPA 3G dial up modem and i have no mac at all,when i type ipconfig /all the physical address is empty,wondering if anyone can support me with that ,also a MSTF answerer from MSE support noticed he doesnt have a Mac eitherin the same cenario!!!!any suggestive values for my BINARY mac entry?DefaultGatewayMac ...it comes by default like this : 0000000000000000so i input my own values but i doubt they correct ,any help here?kind regards,RR

Hi guys ! I had the identical issue as stylemessiah except i'm running a 64x version of Windows 7 Ultimate with an Intel Pro Wireless 4965agn card (newest drivers v.13.0.0.2 and digitally signed). I tried every suggestion here and everywhere else regedit various mac changing utilities etc. but it wouldnt budge to nothing except 12-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX until I tried downgrading my wifi drivers to version 11.5.1.2. Now it works ! ! ! I just have to change the string in the registry and walla. I am not sure if this is the case with all of you who can't change your MAC because on XP I had no problems in switching my mac address with every version of the drivers so I too was sure it was just a win7 buggie but now I think its both driver and win7 related. Goodluck ! ! ! Hey samurajot, I just wanted to ask you, how did you downgrade the driver? I downloaded the Windows XP 64-bit 11.5.1.2 intel wifi 4965agn driver, it is an .EXE setup file, but I couldnt install it. And I tried to extract it to get the .inf files but also couldnt extract it. Could you please explain how to downgrade my wifi driver to 11.5.1.2?I have ver 12 drivers installd currently.Thanks!

Thank you!! I tested older driver versions (from 2007) and now it simply works! It was a bit hard to find, but there is the two working mac-spoof drivers for RTL8187B and RTL8187L (Windows Vista & Seven, x86 and x64) Thanks again for that idea ;-)

roryh86 , are you using winxp64? If not you have to found the 11.5.1.2 version to your Vista/Seven. Then: 1 - Uninstall your current driver before install the new one (Control Panel > Device Manager > Right-Click in the device > Uninstall (and mark the 'Delete the driver software for this device'). 2 - If the driver is re-auto install, just go Device Manager > Right-Click in the device > Update Driver Software... > Browse my computer for drive software > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer > Then select the inf driver from "Have Disk". 3 - Done :)

To roryh86 , I had no problems when switching drivers.Just clicked the "11.5.1.2_VT64.exe" ( it's 37.3MB check just too be sure you have the same package ) and it switched so quickly from version 12 I couldn't even notice the WiFi disconnecting. Though if nothing helps I had a similar issue with the drivers of my display adapter not so long ago. As I recall typing commands into the cmd console was the only way to extract the .ini files from the .exe archive. Google it I'm sure the process is explained somewhere . Goodluck !

I am just wondering here, if this so important how come you have not just asked the IT dept. to add the REAL MAC address to the access list.I mean I am ASSUMING you are just fussing to be fussing without THINKING about YOU can get around the issue.I guess you could be stealing access and do not have a way to have the real MAC added, is that the case?

Bubbapcguy , why guys like you see only this? No, mac-spoof is useful in many ways (I'm not going to list they again, so please read the thread). And this is not a bug, it has been done in purpose by Micro$oft, but I don't know why.

Can't actually change the physical address on the card itself, but you can spoof any mac address, see link above. It's been done for years. I know it can be done, ive been doing it on XP for eons (in fact im doing it right now to access the net and write this) and even that godawful Vista So i do know what im doing, and i am using the bog standard driver/advanced/network address option to do it Im telling you, again, that Win 7 ignores it completely :) I have discovered an issue where win 7 misreads the MAC of my NIC. Maybe this is related? DrT

I did not say you are, I asked if you are..and that is that.Your comparing YOUR issue with a new car is just..well off the wall.And if you are the IT DEPT I can not see this is a such a big deal.In most system's you are talking about a few seconds to update ACL so I reckon is it not that important.And if YOU read the posting YOU would see that I and others have success in this (maybe not 100 % but it does work with SOME drivers.I will not respond to any of your post as you are just about whining without wanting help, so C-YA...I would really hate to be ya....P.S. I have over 150 systems under my control, spoofing MAC is nothing I have had to do in over 20 years, as I control the ACL.

Ethernet was designed around the concept that each and every Mac address should be globally unique. Requiring every new computer to be connected to have its Mac address arbitrarily reprogrammed - assumedly to exactly match the Mac address of some prior piece of equipment that worked but is now being replaced - is certainly not mainstream practice.You are moving your workstations up to modern technology, but you can't upgrade this other piece of network gear that's not reprogrammable?There may have been only a small number of people at Microsoft who were involved in making whatever change caused the loss of spoofing, and maybe they just don't happen to read this forum.I'm guessing the spoofing feature may have been removed to decrease the liability of Microsoft, who no longer chooses to provide easy facilities to support hackers doing bad things. Perhaps Microsoft's lawyers tell them "don't talk about it because doing so would be admitting we did something wrong before".The least likely possibility seems to be that Microsoft arbitrarily broke it and is unwilling to admit it. You may not get an answer to why it no longer works the way you'd like. That's life. Microsoft will make lots of money. That's also life. Don't complain about it - invest in it! :)No matter how many insults you choose to throw here, not one of them helps your cause. Actually stating the reason you need the spoofing feature, which reading through the above anyone can see took way too long, is a step in the right direction. Describing legitimate scenarios in which you need that feature is the best way I can think of to get Microsoft to consider adding it back in. The whole "if you don't know why we need it don't bother to post here" attitude hasn't gotten a whole lot of results, now has it?Best of luck solving the problem.-Noel

From another thread http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/697bf48c-a226-4315-8875-2bbeddf16db2 WoodpeckerLo Monday, December 14, 2009 11:25 PMHOW TO CHANGE MAC ADDRESS IN WINDOWS 7? Very easy. The problem is not in win7, it`s in drivers that win7 installs instead of you.This is for those with wireless card isue!!! If you have wireless card on your desktop computer just manually update preinstalled driver (the one that windows installed) with XP driver. 99% of laptop computers have opened option in adapter properties for changing mac address without any software needed. Go to update driver in your card properties and choose to browse hdd, then to pick from a list. Uncheck show compatible hardware and pick your card from list and go to have disk. Locate xp driver and install it. BUT!!! Before you do that install card wireless software and mark it to run as an administrator then restart, install xp driver and restart again just in case. Any tool for changing mac address works in my case. I use A-Mac address changer or MacMakeup. Eather way address changes. Offcourse this also must be checked to run as an admin (MacMakeup). This was tested on Win7 Ultimate black ed. ev.copy 7077 and coupple more versions of ultimate edition and on TP-Link TL-WN353GD wireless card. Address changes to 00 xx...!!! There might be wrong spelling! Sorry! :)I tried this solution on 2 wireless network cards:- mini-PCI: Dell Wireless 1395 Mini-Card (Broadcom BCM4312 chipset)- USB: TP-Link TL-WN321G (Ralink RT2571)manually installing drivers designed for XP and it works!My OS is Windows 7 Professional 32bit.With Win7 or Vista drivers, the MAC does't change, but now I can change to any 00-XX-XX-...I just selected "Update Driver" in Device Manager at network card, then "Browse my computer for driver software","Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer","Have disk",browse for the folder with .inf and .sys xp driveruncheck "Show compatible hardware" if nothing appear in list , then select the adapter from the list, "Next"Yes at the "Update driver warning" , allow to install unsigned driver and without any restart...My adapters work without problems with these drivers.Good luck !

It took me about 45 minutes to read all posts in this thread but N.Eee pointed out the solution for me. I have the same tl-wn321g he has and after loading the XP driver the mac spoof worked just out of the box. Now "Local Administration MAC Network" shows up in device proprieties and mac spoof tools works (used smac and macshift). Btw it also worked with my intel 3945abg by just downgrading to an earlier XP driver. @ stylemessiah , I agree its a BUG and micro$oft doesn't care for us, its always been this way ! Lets now dissect your issue a little more, there is an installer for wg311t in netgear download site (Driver version: 4.1.2.150 XP/2K) Its an installshield setup file which I've unpacked and uploaded to http://rapidshare.com/files/330726040/NETGEAR__WG311T_Wireless_Adapter.rar.html Please try to install manually and tell us if it works. ps: you have 4k computers with wg311t cards in them ? how you're going to change macs in them remotely ? thanks and good luck !

so we can hope this is the end of this nonsense thread.

The fun thing is, that people hate vista. Even though everything just works for me under it. Havin win7 for about 2 weeks now, already having 2 unsolvable,different,network related problems. Well I did not beta tested win7, but did so with vista, and the fixed the bug I reported. It seems to me that this mac address problem is a bit harder to reproduce, thus it might have been ignored company-wide for good. ( but not for our good :P )Just for the record:There are also other ways of reporting bugs, like connect.microsoft.com which actually is read by developers. Judging from the posts in this thread, none of you actually tried microsoft professional support. If you indeed have a copy of a genuine win7 you might be eligible to ask a professional support technician for free by e-mail or phone, and they even seem to have only chat.

I am right alongside Prudent_Shopper here. I read this entire thread and am saddened by the responses here. I have been having this problem for months (I gave up on the betas and the RC because of it) and I have tried everything that was suggested and everything that stylemessiah did. This issue is a BUG, even wiggling the mouse cannot fix it. I will be waiting until the end of time or the next version of Windows for them to fix it. I am using W7 Ultimate x64, and a D-Link WDA-2320 Desktop Adapter (Atheros chipset). During the beta, I spent some sixty dollars on various hardware attempting to find one which would both actually work and allow MAC address changing; none of them did. NOTE: Certain ranges of addresses, notably those that begin with EE- and a couple others I honestly haven't the patience to nail down, still respond to MAC address spoofing. This suggests skullduggery on the part of Microsoft, or perhaps attempt to thwart it. If the latter, then it is very sad, because anyone nefarious enough to have their evil deeds thwarted by such a 'feature' would simply not use W7.

stylemessiah, you just do not get it do you. I do not work for Microsoft, I spend 70 % of my computer time using Linux, I make more than half my money with linux.I had a nice long rant to post, but Why? your mind is set, no changing it, so I will leave you with some good advice from a fellow Native American. Ella Sekatau, a Narragansett, Said "ignorance is like a stone wall. If you try to fight it, you will end up with bloody fists. Instead you must take down each stone, gently, one at a time."

What I can't understand is why you folks complaining about this can't just fix the root problem instead of getting so hot under the collar about the workaround no longer being possible (nor even describing why you need it).Inquiring minds must conclude that either you're incapable of fixing the root cause of why you desperately need to set your MAC address or that you need this capability for illicit purposes. -Noel

Hi, everybodyIs there any site where I can give 20 from 20 possible Windows 7,it's been a while since I've been watching this thread I personally would say Windows 7 gives the opportunity to those that liked at school to build their own applications to change the MAC address and to those sort of a kind to play computer only if no consideration for others work(ex. applications) to install the worldwide web freeware.But in the same time would give a -1 to Windows 7 IF would solve this issue first for instant when probably many other security issues are present (sometime ago I just got some sort of bulk messages without using the windows messenger...how that possible?)It's like you would like to educate (read,write and computer use) children without going to school at first, would that be possible?Regards

Bubbapcguy,stylemessiah, you just do not get it do you. I do not work for Microsoft, I spend 70 % of my computer time using Linux, I make more than half my money with linux.I had a nice long rant to post, but Why? your mind is set, no changing it, so I will leave you with some good advice from a fellow Native American. Ella Sekatau, a Narragansett, Said "ignorance is like a stone wall. If you try to fight it, you will end up with bloody fists. Instead you must take down each stone, gently, one at a time." What I can't understand is why you folks complaining about this can't just fix the root problem instead of getting so hot under the collar about the workaround no longer being possible (nor even describing why you need it).Inquiring minds must conclude that either you're incapable of fixing the root cause of why you desperately need to set your MAC address or that you need this capability for illicit purposes. -Noel Bubbapcguy,i agree with all u said in speaking of the last piece of the cake!Noel,i would think the second possibility is more probable,i think thts why MOST of the ppl complainting bout the prompts and security blocks is looking for the windows old school,easy access!!analyzing this thread and many others u can notice that ppl who is complainting things like: oh why such a pain or why is that so hard,they actually know the books but they kindof make themselves look novice ,no i mean?why they prolly so desperate?why they keep saying : " i better move my A S S to linux or something else etc etc,screw MSFT bla bla bla" then after minutes they hit the same key again?well thats also easy to answer,after windows 7 imposed all the security bureaucracy most ppl are sad about it and i completely understand theyr sides.,no more easy game u know?if i can perform advanced actions ,why is it so hard to perform a workaround? why the workaround sucks if it aparently solves the problem?anyways i might've forgot bout bunch of things to comment about but this should do it!Kind regards,RR

Bubbapcguy,stylemessiah, you just do not get it do you. I do not work for Microsoft, I spend 70 % of my computer time using Linux, I make more than half my money with linux.I had a nice long rant to post, but Why? your mind is set, no changing it, so I will leave you with some good advice from a fellow Native American. Ella Sekatau, a Narragansett, Said "ignorance is like a stone wall. If you try to fight it, you will end up with bloody fists. Instead you must take down each stone, gently, one at a time." What I can't understand is why you folks complaining about this can't just fix the root problem instead of getting so hot under the collar about the workaround no longer being possible (nor even describing why you need it).Inquiring minds must conclude that either you're incapable of fixing the root cause of why you desperately need to set your MAC address or that you need this capability for illicit purposes. -Noel Bubbapcguy,i agree with all u said !Noel,i would think the second possibility is more probable,i think thts why MOST of the ppl complainting bout the prompts and security blocks is looking for the windows old school,easy access!!analyzing this thread and many others u can notice that ppl who is complainting things like: oh why such a pain or why is that so hard,they actually know the books but they kindof make themselves look novice ,no i mean?why they prolly so desperate?why they keep saying : " i better move my A S S to linux or something else etc etc,screw MSFT bla bla bla" then after minutes they hit the same key again?well thats also easy to answer,after windows 7 imposed all the security bureaucracy most ppl are sad about it and i completely understand theyr sides.,no more easy game u know?if i can perform advanced actions ,why is it so hard to perform a workaround? why the workaround sucks if it aparently solves the problem?anyways i might've forgot bout bunch of things to comment about but this should do it!Kind regards,RR Hi Noel and the linux guy,This thread deserves a LAPTOP from all times, started by the the guy with the nickname from "the very begining" very agresive the same as at the very begining, in the mean while everybody had an opinion trying to help but continued with agresivity and changed (not the MAC address) "the style" analizing all involved in this thread the way formulated the replies or quotes you will find from novices to street gangs, languages than followed by "cyber" university "students" or graduateed, firemen academy, medical advices and finally to police academy.Overall about 5000 watched this thread,how would you call it ignoring the OS? for some waste of time even clicking the thread, for some "frying" institutions and people online and for some of us a curiosity how far can go this "so called thread" if more than 50% of the forums would go on this way probably when going outside would discover no one on the streets or...a bit..."strange"..."people"

Bubbapcguy, stylemessiah, you just do not get it do you. I do not work for Microsoft, I spend 70 % of my computer time using Linux, I make more than half my money with linux. I had a nice long rant to post, but Why? your mind is set, no changing it, so I will leave you with some good advice from a fellow Native American. Ella Sekatau, a Narragansett, Said "ignorance is like a stone wall. If you try to fight it, you will end up with bloody fists. Instead you must take down each stone, gently, one at a time." What I can't understand is why you folks complaining about this can't just fix the root problem instead of getting so hot under the collar about the workaround no longer being possible (nor even describing why you need it). Inquiring minds must conclude that either you're incapable of fixing the root cause of why you desperately need to set your MAC address or that you need this capability for illicit purposes. -Noel Bubbapcguy, i agree with all u said in speaking of the last piece of the cake! Noel, i would think the second possibility is more probable,i think thts why MOST of the ppl complainting bout the prompts and security blocks is looking for the windows old school,easy access!! analyzing this thread and many others u can notice that ppl who is complainting things like: oh why such a pain or why is that so hard,they actually know the books but they kindof make themselves look novice ,no i mean? why they prolly so desperate?why they keep saying : " i better move my A S S to linux or something else etc etc,screw MSFT bla bla bla" then after minutes they hit the same key again? well thats also easy to answer,after windows 7 imposed all the security bureaucracy most ppl are sad about it and i completely understand theyr sides.,no more easy game u know? if i can perform advanced actions ,why is it so hard to perform a workaround? why the workaround sucks if it aparently solves the problem? anyways i might've forgot bout bunch of things to comment about but this should do it! Kind regards, RR I've done it . the workaround actually let me change my MAC addy . just dont know why ppl dont downgrade their drivers and get along with their lives ! my purpose for spoofing MAC is illicit so why not doing it the easy way ? stop being such childish and get yr problems solved ! boa sorte a todos ! um abraço !

No one is missing the point here, and I'm capable of understanding rather more than you might imagine. I have more experience than you do. You keep making the point clearer and more plain:You and others here claiming the same hurt refuse to answer other people's direct questions and insist that this small apparent security change to Windows is all but ruining your life, yet you refuse to describe why in any reasonable manner. You claim to be a super admin yet can't effect a change to fix the real problem.Any reasonable person would conclude that the reason you "need" the feature described above is to do things you shouldn't be doing, such as stealing wifi service or hacking into networks that employ MAC security. One person even admits openly that he "needs" this feature for illicit purposes.Nowhere on the box does it say Windows supports the reprogramming of the MAC address, nor did it ever say so. At best, the system allowed 3rd party drivers and hardware to do something that probably shouldn't have been allowed in the first place, and now that has been rectified.And if you are legitimately managing a company network, unless you own your company I suspect you're going to have to face your boss telling you to fix the real problem in the likely event that Microsoft doesn't swing into action and reverse their decision on this security fix for you.On the other hand, if it's just you and your computer, no one has taken away your XP license nor is anyone preventing you from buying a different brand.And good luck with that lawsuit. Please let me know your court date. I'd love to be there.-NoelP.S., I think the Mods should consider deleting this entire thread. The only marginally useful information here is more likely to be used by hackers than legitimate users.

A user with 30 years experience is still an ignorant user . Do you have any other qualifications other than being an ignorant user? 30 years experience and yet you can't do the following : - Spoof your mac address. Why would an enduser that looks at email want to spoof his mac address in the first place? I can't see any reason other than a malicious one. Give me one good reason why YOU would need or want to spoof your MAC? - Troubleshoot basic Windows problems. At most this is a Tier one windows problem and yet someone of your experience level can't seem to solve it without posting a story on a Microsoft Forum. Awww does little baby need his hand held? - Write proper English. 30 years and English still escapes you? - Ask for advice. A MSFT tech doesn't care that you have 30 years experience, he/she treats everyone equally and rightfully so. Someone with 30 years experience should know this though, unless you've never actually had a support job or any job for that matter. Arguing will get you nothing on the internet. In conclusion, the OP should be banned from the forum for outright lies and harassment. Delete and ban.

Bubbapcguy,stylemessiah, you just do not get it do you. I do not work for Microsoft, I spend 70 % of my computer time using Linux, I make more than half my money with linux.I had a nice long rant to post, but Why? your mind is set, no changing it, so I will leave you with some good advice from a fellow Native American. Ella Sekatau, a Narragansett, Said "ignorance is like a stone wall. If you try to fight it, you will end up with bloody fists. Instead you must take down each stone, gently, one at a time." What I can't understand is why you folks complaining about this can't just fix the root problem instead of getting so hot under the collar about the workaround no longer being possible (nor even describing why you need it).Inquiring minds must conclude that either you're incapable of fixing the root cause of why you desperately need to set your MAC address or that you need this capability for illicit purposes. -Noel Bubbapcguy,i agree with all u said in speaking of the last piece of the cake!Noel,i would think the second possibility is more probable,i think thts why MOST of the ppl complainting bout the prompts and security blocks is looking for the windows old school,easy access!!analyzing this thread and many others u can notice that ppl who is complainting things like: oh why such a pain or why is that so hard,they actually know the books but they kindof make themselves look novice ,no i mean?why they prolly so desperate?why they keep saying : " i better move my A S S to linux or something else etc etc,screw MSFT bla bla bla" then after minutes they hit the same key again?well thats also easy to answer,after windows 7 imposed all the security bureaucracy most ppl are sad about it and i completely understand theyr sides.,no more easy game u know?if i can perform advanced actions ,why is it so hard to perform a workaround? why the workaround sucks if it aparently solves the problem?anyways i might've forgot bout bunch of things to comment about but this should do it!Kind regards,RR I've done it . the workaround actually let me change my MAC addy . just dont know why ppl dont downgrade their drivers and get along with their lives !my purpose for spoofing MAC is illicit so why not doing it the easy way ? stop being such childish and get yr problems solved !boa sorte a todos ! um abraço ! Mr. Daniel BPMim so glad u got ur problems solved and i actually i got pretty much all my problems solved ,and thanks for wishing me good luck i really need it ;)wish same for ya ^^btw looks like ur prob is unsolved inst it? unfinished? MINE is all set as soon as i decide to solve them!!!!Nway being legal is not childish its actually the oposite ,illegal things come from undeveloped minds just like kids!!!Brains not functioning 100% OK make ppl do illegal things ,they are the social LOKOS HehE...Duality/personality split!Just like u and at the end of the Story the destiny is inevitable!!!Think about that if u judge urself so smart !!!!KIND regards,RRPS:and good luck for u too on ur ILLICIT behaviour and responsibility is for Adults not for children ,thats just a lil reminder to refresh ur memory;)

http://freenetproject.org/philosophy.htmlhttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=cookie%2Bcia&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorshiphttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22mac+address%22%2Bprivacy&aq=f&oq=&aqiThere is so much to say about this. The first place to start is with your MAC. The second is to google Internet Anonymity and Privacy. The discussions are endless.

It's not just browsing and filesharing. Did you know your VoIP is also subject to snooping (or surveillance) per your MAC address?http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=US+Patent+7570743+&aq=f&oq=&aqi