Every network interface has a media access control (MAC) address. Network interface cards come from the factory with a unique MAC address associated with the hardware. Most network cards and routers allow you to set a custom MAC address, overriding the MAC address present in the hardware. Cloning a MAC address, or changing the MAC address on one device to the MAC address associated with a different device, can be useful when an Internet connection is associated with a particular MAC address. While you can contact the service provider and switch the MAC address if you're switching devices, it may be more convenient to clone the original device's MAC address.
Windows
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Step 1
Click "Start" on the computer with the MAC address that you want to clone. Type "Cmd" into the search box at the bottom of the menu and press Enter.
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Step 2
Type "ipconfig /all" into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
Step 3
Copy the MAC address from the right of the Physical Address field, under the Ethernet adapter field in the Command Prompt.
Step 4
Click "Start" on the computer with the MAC address that you want to change, type "Network connections" into the search box at the bottom of the menu and click "View Network Connections."
Step 5
Right-click the "Local Area Connection" or "Wireless Network Adapter" connection, depending on which you want to change. Select "Properties."
Step 6
Click the "Advanced" tab.
Step 7
Select "Network Address" in the list of properties.
Step 8
Click the button to the left of the text box and type the MAC address into the text box.
Step 9
Click "OK" to save your settings.
Router
Step 1
Type "192.168.1.1" or the local IP address your router uses into your Web browser's address bar and press Enter. Consult your router's documentation for its default IP address.
Step 2
Type your router password into the password box and press Enter to log in. If you don't know the password, try "admin," or consult your router's documentation for its default password.
Step 3
Click on the Status page and locate the MAC address or physical address associated with the router's WAN interface.
Step 4
Disconnect the old router from your network, plug in the new router and connect your computer to it.
Step 5
Open the WAN settings page on the router and type the old router's MAC address into the new router's MAC address or physical address box.
Step 6
Click the "Save Settings" button.