NetworkCards registry key empty

[K]

I have a system with a network interface (named "Local Area
Connection") that is currently on my local network and functioning. I
can send and receive traffic just fine.

However, the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkCards registry key has no entries. There has
been no motherboard switch without removing the device first (which I
would expect to create an extra entry here). I thought listing the
network cards here was normal behavior.

Why would the NetworkCards key have no entries when there is a
functioning network interface present? How can this be fixed so that
all network cards show up in the registry key here?

Thanks
Kris

 

[K]

Reinstalling the driver for the NIC puts the entry back in the
NetworkCards registry key. However, is there a way to force Windows to
do this (or something as effective) without reinstalling drivers?

Thanks