(Too) Many network adapters, why?

Question

As shown in the image, I have VMware and Juniper Network installed, but there are still too many TAP-Windows Adapter or TAP-Win32 Adapter.

What are these connections? How can I remove these?

Answer 1

Do the following and they will disappear.

1. Press Win+R -> Type in msinfo32 and press Enter.

2. Now you will see the following console window.

   
   ^{MSinfo32 console}

3. In the left pane navigate to Components -> Network -> Adapter. Here you can see all the Network Adapters listed. Find the TAP adapters and see the Driver location as shown in the below image.

   
   ^{Location of TAP adapter driver}

   I have given a sample image as I have already deleted the TAP adapters. Don't delete the Microsoft Adapters. Find the TAP adapters location in listed adapters and go to the location, for example: C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\TAP.sys and delete them.

4. After this just go to Device Management and uninstall the TAP adapters under Network Adapters.

   Note: While uninstalling tick the option "Delete the Driver" if asked for a prompt.

That's it, you're done.