Show Windows network adapter state and speed
Build a paste-ready command, then review its compatibility and effects before running it.
Get-NetAdapter | Sort-Object Name | Select-Object Name,Status,LinkSpeed,MacAddress,InterfaceDescriptionread-onlyno known side effects Compatibility
WindowsVerified for Windows using powershell syntax.
Operational knowledgereview due 2027-01-20
RequirementsGet-NetAdapterGet-NetAdapter must be installed and available on PATH.
Version supportGet-NetAdapter Current supported releasesVerified for windows using powershell syntax; consult compatibility notes for platform-specific differences.
Expected signalsName Status LinkSpeed MacAddress InterfaceDescriptionRepresentative successful output; values vary with the selected target and system state.
Known errorsGet-NetAdapter: command not foundGet-NetAdapter is missing or is not available on PATH.
VerifyGet-NetAdapter | Sort-Object Name | Select-Object Name,Status,LinkSpeed,MacAddress,InterfaceDescriptionThe output matches the expected target and exits without an error.Rollback noteNot required: this command is read-only and does not change system state.
Command breakdown
01Get-NetAdapterCommandRuns the Get-NetAdapter stage of this one-liner.
02|PipelinePasses the output on the left to the command on the right.
03Sort-ObjectCommandRuns the Sort-Object stage of this one-liner.
04NameArgumentPasses Name to Sort-Object.
05|PipelinePasses the output on the left to the command on the right.
06Select-ObjectCommandRuns the Select-Object stage of this one-liner.
07Name,Status,LinkSpeed,MacAddress,InterfaceDescriptionArgumentPasses Name,Status,LinkSpeed,MacAddress,InterfaceDescription to Select-Object.
Example input
Get-NetAdapter | Sort-Object Name | Select-Object Name,Status,LinkSpeed,MacAddress,InterfaceDescription
Example output
Name Status LinkSpeed MacAddress InterfaceDescription
---- ------ --------- ---------- --------------------
Ethernet Up 1 Gbps 52-54-00-12-34-56 Red Hat VirtIO Ethernet Adapter
Illustrative output — exact values vary by system and data.
Official sources