How to install a Loopback Adapter in Windows 7

Cesar De la Torre

It turns out that adding a Loopback adapter in Windows 7 is a little bit tricky, because we have no “Add Hardware” menu icon within Control Panel, anymore. Everything is supposed to be detected by Windows 7. (At least in current Windows 7 RC1).

But if we’re talking about a “Loopback Netwrok Adapter”, it really cannot be detected, as it is a virtual device..

In any case, if you want to run the Wizard where you can manually add hardware, you need to start it from the COMMAND PROMPT:

1.- Run cmd, but do it like: “Run as Administrator”

2.- From the command prompt, write down “hdwwiz.exe” and execute it. Then, the “Add Hardware Wizard” will be launched.

3.- Select: Install hardware manually –> Network Adapters –> Microsoft –> Microsoft Loopback Adapter.

You can read more info about it (step by step) in the following URL:

http://www.windowsreference.com/windows-7/how-to-install-a-loopback-adapter-in-windows-7/

Cesar De la Torre Principal Program Manager, Azure

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