Installing the Microsoft Loopback Adapter in Windows 7

The Microsoft Loopback Adapter is a logical dummy network card. It can be very useful for testing purposes with a virtual network environment where network access is not available. You can also bind network clients and other network configuration items to the loopback adapter; I have done this in order to communicate to my PC from GNS (Graphical Network Simulator). Additionally, some applications are dependent on network functionality and they will not install if a network card is not present, so the loopback adapter can come in handy for this purpose as well.

Steps to install Microsoft Loopback Adapter in Windows 7:

1. Click Start menu->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt (Right click this and click “Run as administrator”)
2. Type “hdwwiz.exe” and hit “Enter”
3. You will see “Welcome to the Add Hardware Wizard” – click “Next”
4. Select “Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced)” and click “Next”
5. Scroll down and select “Network adapters” and click “Next”
6. As shown below, under ‘Manufacturer’ select “Microsoft” and under ‘Network Adapter’ select “Microsoft Loopback Adapter” and click “Next”

Installing the Microsoft Loopback Adapter in Windows 7