Team,

Pls NOTE the vNIC removal & addition process; correct\add anything if needed..

Once you remove the NIC from vCenter the 'Ghost NIC' still remains at the OS level; so, this needs to be
removed first at OS level before adding the New NIC:-

1) In CMD, run “set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1” and hit ENTER (copy-paste of this command
is preferred)
2) Open, devmgmt.msc (Device Manager) & click the View menu & click "Show Hidden Devices"
3) Under "Network Adapter".. you will see few 'light-colored\dim' NIC.
> Remember, couple of these may be RAS\Vmware Accelerated.. so, leave these.
4) & others NIC which shows NIC type with 'E1000','VMXNET2 or 3' or related.. right click & delete\
uninstall these.. & NOT the Driver check-box.
5) Now, you can add new NIC.

Also, for NIC Bindings (Advanced Bindings) .. make sure the PROD NIC comes on top\preferred. (WIN2K8
& below, latest… has ‘Interface Metric’\Priority)