Has Your Windows Device Changed Its Device Type

DHCP Vendor Information

Has your Windows device changed its device type?

By default, Windows devices are designed to identify themselves as "WEB MSFT 5.0" to DHCP servers, and this has been the case for several versions of Windows. However, some reports have emerged that suggest this identifier may have changed to "DHCPCD-5.5.6" for some Windows devices after a reinstallation of the operating system.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network. The Vendor Class Identifier (VCI) is a field in the DHCP request packet that identifies the vendor and model of the device making the request. This information can be used by the DHCP server to provide customized configuration options for the device.

The traditional Client Vendor Name for Windows-based devices has also been updated for some devices. The new Client Vendor Name for Windows 10 is "Microsoft Windows 10", and the new Client Vendor Name for Windows 11 is "Microsoft Windows 11".

This change in device type and Client Vendor Name may have implications for network administrators who are managing DHCP servers. It is important to be aware of these changes and update your DHCP server configuration accordingly to ensure that all devices on your network are able to obtain the correct IP address and network configuration settings.