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tardtasticx

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#268236 7-Mar-2020 00:31
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My work issued a Surface Pro for me to use a while ago and I've been using it OK on the WiFi at home with a few other dongles along the way to get the job done, but I think I'd get better performance with network activities if I used it over Ethernet instead. 

 

The Surface only has a single USB port for this, so I'll need an adaptor (which is readily available). 
My concern with doing that though is it may require software or drivers to be installed. 
I have an admin account so I can install drivers and software on this PC, but policies say I can't and I'm not about to be playing with that. 
If it does require drivers I can't use it, and I don't want to bother with doing a return if I can hopefully find out an answer in advance.

 

So question: Does anyone know if this adaptor will work with a Surface Pro 5 running Windows 10 without the need for additional installs, including through Windows update? As it's a corporate device we manage it centrally, so Windows automatic updates are disabled.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

Note: In the Microsoft Windows forum because it's more about the OS and software so don't think it would suit being in networking or tablets. Feel free to move if need be. 

 

 

 

Edit: Updated title to better reflect question.


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gehenna
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  #2434024 7-Mar-2020 04:48
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Yes it will work without needing software installed, in fact I've never known an Ethernet dongle to need software.



nickb800
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  #2434027 7-Mar-2020 06:56
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I use this one with my surface and it was plug and play. Quite a bit cheaper. Doesn't do gigabit, but you probably don't need that on a surface

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPJ5C1125/J5create-JUE125-USB-20-Ethernet-Adapter-For-Window

timmmay
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  #2434028 7-Mar-2020 07:08
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I use an Anker combined three port USB hub / Ethernet adapter with my old surface tablet and my newer Surface Laptop 2. Works well. Really annoying only having a single USB port on the surface, I wanted a Lenovo with more ports that was cheaper, but work got me the more expensive Surface i7.




tardtasticx

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  #2434072 7-Mar-2020 09:49
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Thanks all for the info everyone, and the couple of alternatives that are definitely way cheaper / more useful than the MS branded one. Will be popping into PB today!

 

I think the 10/100 would be fine, works VPN won't let me get that fast while it's connected anyway haha.

 

That J5create one will be the one I go for I suspect, I use their Mini DisplayPort to Dual HDMI adaptor and can't believe how well it works, makes the Surface way more usable at home. That also needed no drivers at all, though it hangs precariously from one of the monitors USB ports because it needs USB power to run.

 

Cheers!


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