Windows – How to get rid of auto-generated sequence number in network’s device name in Windows

network-adapternetworkingusbusb-network-adapterwindows

Every time one plugs in the same usb wireless adapter in a new usb port, Windows creates new network device with auto-generated sequence number which looks like this
Wireless-N USB Network Adapter #2, Wireless-N USB Network Adapter #3, …
The name of a device is being displayed as part of network's information in Control Panel|Network Connections.
network's name and network's device name

How can I get rid of this sequence number?

I found out device name which is displayed in network's information is kept in the FriendlyName REG_SZ value under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\USB\VID_[device specific string]\[usb port specific string]
FriendlyName of network device
However when I try to modify this value I get error

Cannot edit FriendlyName: Error writing the value's new contents.

I tried to delete extra keys under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\USB\VID_13B1&PID_0029
but got Cannot delete KEY NAME: Error while deleting key. error. Trying to solve this problem I followed this answer but trying to change owner with Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option checked I got this error – Registry Editor could not set owner on the currently selected, or some of its subkeys. To find out which subkey is the source of problem I tried changing owner of each subkey. After successfully changing owner of Properites subkey I saw it has subkeys which were previously hidden.
Hidden subkeys of Properties key

Now trying to change owner of these subkeys looks like this:

Permisions...
Windows Security warning
Windows Security error

Any idea how to delete these keys?

Best Answer

Try this. It worked for me.

  1. Open regedit, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Network\
  2. search for Descriptions in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Network\{big long hex number}\Descriptions. There will be a few hex numbers after \Network\ but it'll be the one with the "Descriptions" branch.
  3. Under this branch you'll see all the numbering strings with your network card as key. Just delete the ones you want to reset. In my case, I will delete "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller"
  4. In Device Manager, delete the device and select "Scan for Hardware Changes" to reinstall the driver.
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