I don't agree with your theory that someone has gone the "cheap/easy route ... without ... updating the spec". Simply a bug. Anyway:

This might help you:

From a command line

Code:
wmic nic where(ConfigManagerErrorCode=22)get Description,Index,NetConnectionID,PNPDeviceID,NetEnabled,ConfigManagerErrorCode


Will return disabled network adapters only. My Wifi adapter is not returned regardless of connection as long as it is enabled so seems to do what you want/need. NetEnabled will show the incorrect status you are seeing. Then parse the text output. A bit clunky but workable.

Code:
wmic nic


Will give you the full "dump". On my machine there are all sorts of "virtual" interfaces from various devices that have been plugged in over time.

_________________________
Christian
#40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)