AC1900 A7000 not recognized on Surface Laptop 7

Question

I have used this my AC1900 A7000 USB Wifi Adapter on two Dell laptops successfully. Today I received a new Microsoft Surface 7 laptop, and it doesn't recognize the device. I have tried all the troubleshooting steps. Any advice?

michaelkenward · Answer

Windows versions?
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Just another user with time on their hands.
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aebmass · Answer

Good questions. It's Windows 11, 2H2024. Freshly updated.

michaelkenward · Answer

Both of them? The A7000 doesn't claim to work with Windows 11. Hasn't had an update in six years. But anything that says Windows 10 usually does 11.
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Why would you want a USB adapter in a Surface 7 laptop?
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Pricey bit of kit that comes with Wi-Fi 7. The A7000 isn't even Wi-Fi 6.
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Just another user with time on their hands.
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aebmass · Answer

One of the Dells it works on is also Windows 11.&nbsp;I was using the A7000 with my Dell because it's internal WiFi antenna is poor. Looks like the Surface's is much better, so good point, I probably don't need the A7000.

michaelkenward · Answer

aebmass&nbsp;wrote:
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Looks like the Surface's is much better, so good point, I probably don't need the A7000.

I'd hope so at that price.
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aebmass&nbsp;wrote:
One of the Dells it works on is also Windows 11.
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Netgear seems to have problems with USB adapters. What works fine for one person is a bugger for someone else. Sometimes it tracks back to Windows and its own USB drivers.
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But if you want real grief, try to get one of these devices to work on a Mac. Even when it claims to be a compatible device, Apple has a habit of delivering updates that are beyond Netgear's capabilities.
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I went for a PCIe card in Windows 11. Not something that you can do in a laptop.
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But one thing to look out for with the native WiFi is the drivers. Early version had issues with Intel's chips.
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Just another user with time on their hands.
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AC1900 A7000 not recognized on Surface Laptop 7

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