WSL Virtual Network Adapter
WSL networking is provisioned by the selected WSL version and Windows configuration; adapter names and architecture can differ, including mirrored networking on supported Windows 11 systems. This route is not a standalone adapter download. Follow Microsoft's current WSL install and networking documentation for the host release.
Family profile
- Reference coverage
- 10/11 releases supported by the selected WSL installation method
- Hardware category
- Virtual Devices
- Manufacturer
- Microsoft
- Related families listed
- 13 in this category, 3 elsewhere from Microsoft
This coverage label describes releases discussed by this publication, not certified compatibility. Confirm the exact device or PC model, hardware revision, current Windows release, and current package requirements on the publisher source before making a change. Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Extended security updates and other editions have separate lifecycle terms; a driver listing does not extend Windows support.
WSL Virtual Network Adapter at a glance
| Detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Device kind | Virtual network adapter for the Linux environment |
| What created it | The Windows Subsystem for Linux |
| Where the driver comes from | WSL provisions it, not a download |
| How to service it | Update WSL, then reboot |
| Appears in | Network adapters, named for WSL networking |
| Typical failure mode | Networking breaks after a WSL update |
How to tell this is what you have
- WSL is installed and its version/configuration is known
- Networking entries may be named for WSL, Hyper-V, or the current architecture
Worth knowing: Created by the Windows Subsystem for Linux; update WSL to service it.
Device Driver Guide does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the WSL Virtual Network Adapterfamily; its citations are selected from the package-source policy recorded for this family.
Device Driver Guide hosts no executables or updater tools. External citations are limited to official publisher documentation pages and are labeled before you leave this site.
Browse related families
Open the listed virtual devices directoryPackage path for WSL Virtual Network Adapter
The family record names WSL provisions it, not a download as the package source. Use Windows 10/11 releases supported by the selected WSL installation method only as reference coverage, then check the current publisher requirements for the exact model, hardware revision, Windows release, and PC configuration. A family name alone does not establish compatibility.
Shared identification, preparation, installation, verification, and rollback procedures are maintained on the full virtual devices guide, rather than repeated on every family page. The citations below follow this family’s declared vendor, system-update, PC-maker, or motherboard-maker source policy.
Official sources and citations
These links serve two different purposes. A manufacturer support selector helps you find an exact model, but does not prove that a package or feature exists for every product in a family. Claim-specific documents explain the cited technology, requirement, lifecycle, or bounded package example. In either case, check the publisher domain, exact model and hardware revision, operating-system release, supported-products list, and package notes before making a change.
- Microsoft downloads and documentation
Microsoft: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Microsoft model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Windows 10 Home and Pro lifecycle
Microsoft Lifecycle: Lifecycle documentation for Windows 10 Home and Pro; separately governed editions and servicing channels can have different dates.
- WSL networking modes and configuration
Microsoft Learn: Documents WSL networking behavior and version-dependent modes; it is not a standalone virtual-adapter download.
Device Driver Guide is an independent reference, not a repair or technical-support service. It does not host or mirror installers and receives no payment for these links. A named-model package example applies only to the systems and operating systems on that publisher page; it is not a recommendation to install the package across a family. Report a moved or incorrect link through the correction form.
Other virtual devices families to compare
WSL Virtual Network Adapter next to the other 13 families in this category
| Family | Manufacturer | Reference coverage | How you recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSL Virtual Network Adapter (this page) | Microsoft | 10/11 releases supported by the selected WSL installation method | WSL is installed and its version/configuration is known |
| Microsoft Hyper-V Virtual Ethernet Adapter | Microsoft | Eligible 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with Hyper-V requirements met | Hyper-V-related adapter shown when the platform and a virtual network are configured |
| Hyper-V Virtual Switch Extension | Microsoft | Eligible 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with Hyper-V requirements met | Configured in Hyper-V Manager |
| Windows Sandbox Virtual Devices | Microsoft | 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions only; current Sandbox prerequisites apply | Associated with an enabled Windows Sandbox feature on an eligible edition |
| Microsoft Loopback / KM-Test Adapter | Microsoft | Use only on releases covered by the applicable Microsoft procedure | Exact Microsoft procedure calls for a loopback adapter |
| Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter | Microsoft | 10/11 only with compatible Wi-Fi hardware, driver, and feature support | Exact virtual-adapter name and physical Wi-Fi adapter |
| NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (companion feature) | NVIDIA | 10/11 only where an exact NVIDIA product/package lists it | Exact Device Manager name, hardware ID, and driver provider |
| AMD Virtual Audio / Display Endpoint (companion feature) | AMD | 10/11 only where an exact AMD product/package lists it | Exact endpoint name, provider, and hardware ID |
| Intel Virtual Display / Graphics Endpoint (companion feature) | Intel | 10/11 only where the system or Intel package lists it | Exact Device Manager name, hardware ID, and provider |
| Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) | Realtek | 10/11 only where the exact PC/board audio package lists it | Exact endpoint name and provider in Device Manager or Sound settings |
| ASUS Utility Virtual Audio Mixer (companion software) | ASUS | 10/11 only where an exact ASUS product page lists the utility | Exact ASUS product model |
| MSI Utility Virtual Device (companion software) | MSI | 10/11 only where an exact MSI product page lists the utility | Exact Device Manager name and provider |
| Gigabyte Utility Virtual Device (companion software) | Gigabyte | 10/11 only where an exact Gigabyte product page lists it | Exact device name, provider, and parent application |
| Corsair Virtual Audio Device (companion software) | Corsair | 10/11 only where the exact Corsair product/app lists it | Exact endpoint and driver-provider names |
Other Microsoft families in the catalog
Microsoft hardware documented outside virtual devices
| Family | Category | Reference coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Precision Touchpad (Microsoft Standard) | Touchpads | 10, 11 |
| Windows HID Keyboard (Standard Typing Support) | Keyboards | 10, 11 |
| Windows UVC Camera (Standard Support) | Webcams | 10/11 for devices implementing supported UVC descriptors |