What Is the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter?
Modern computer systems feature thousands of different combinations of hardware and software components. Software developers face the challenge of writing code that can work with all of these different system setups. Microsoft includes several different virtual drivers with their Windows operating systems that help software developers write application code that works properly on different computers.
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Miniport Drivers
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A miniport driver such as the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter contains instructions for managing how a computer's network adapters work. Miniport drivers maintain data about the status and communication protocols available to your computer's network interface cards. These drivers use Microsoft's Network Driver Interface Specification, or NDIS, protocols to access and change data for the network cards installed on your computer.
Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
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The Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter is a Windows system software component that allows application developers to control a wide range of Wi-Fi hardware with generic source code. The virtual adapter translates the programmer's generic Wi-Fi control code into a format that works with the specific wireless hardware installed on the computer. The Virtual Wifi Miniport Adapter uses Windows' "MiniportQueryInformation" and "MiniportSetInformation" protocols to perform functions specified within an application. The adapter cannot be used for any purpose by Microsoft Windows end users.
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Device Manager Entry
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You can check whether you have a Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter installed on your computer by inspecting your computer's system properties. Access your computer's Windows control panel and then open the "System" panel. Next, click "Device Manager" to view devices installed on your system and click the plus symbol next to "Network Adapters." If you see an entry for "Windows Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter" in the list that opens then the virtual adapter is installed on your computer.
Issues
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In some cases the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter can be exploited by hackers or malware. In other cases the adapter may prevent certain applications such as Adobe Updater from working correctly. Relatively few applications use the adapter, so if you experience a problem with Adobe Updater or you suspect that your computer's security has been compromised then you can try disabling the adapter. First, locate the Miniport adapter in the Windows Device Manager control panel. Then double-click the entry to view device properties. Complete uninstallation by clicking the "Driver" tab and clicking the "Disable" button. If you find that any network programs cease to function then you can return to the same screen and click "Enable" to re-enable Windows Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter functionality.
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References
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