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Tech Tips / Windows NT / Hardware

Removing a NIC reference

Occasionally Windows NT won't let you remove a network card reference from the Network icon in Control Panel. If this happens, don't despair. There's a registry edit that will allow you to remove all references to the NIC. Here's how:

1. Using Regedt32, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
2. Delete the following subkeys:
   \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\<adapter>
   \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\NetworkCards\<#> (If only one adapter is loaded, <#> will be 1.)
   \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\<adapter>.
3. Restart Windows NT.

Now that network card will no longer be listed.

Note: As always we'll remind you that registry editing can be risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before you begin.