Changing your computer’s IP address might sound complicated, but it’s actually very simple. This article provides a detailed guide on how to change your IP address on Windows, from using dynamic IPs to static ones. These tips are especially useful for office workers and beginners. So, how do you change your computer’s IP address?
* Note that this guide will only cover internal IP addresses within a LAN network.
Step 1: Access Network Settings
- Open Network & Internet by clicking the Start button, selecting Settings (or pressing the shortcut Windows + I), then choosing Network & Internet and Status. Finally, click on Change adapter options.
A faster method (applicable to all Windows versions) is to use the ncpa.cpl command. To do this, open the RUN dialog box (press Windows + R), type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
Step 2: Select the Network Connection
When the Local Area Connection window appears, you will see a list of available network connections. If you are using a desktop computer, you will see the LAN connection icon. For laptops using Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi icon will be displayed.
- Right-click on Local Area Connection and select Properties.
Step 3: Edit the IP Address
- Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to edit your IP settings.
Step 4: Choose the IP Mode
A new window will appear, allowing you to configure either a static IP or a dynamic IP:
- Obtain an IP address automatically: This is the DHCP mode (dynamic IP), where the computer automatically receives an IP address from the router.
- Use the following IP address: This allows you to set a static IP, where you can manually enter the desired IP address.
Information to Enter:
- IP address: For example, 192.168.x.y
- Subnet mask: Usually 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway: Typically 192.168.x.1
Note: This IP range may vary depending on your network device. My example is:
If you encounter a yellow exclamation mark error when using a dynamic IP, you can try switching to a static IP, as this often helps resolve the issue.
Check the IP Address and Gateway Information
If you want to know the exact Default Gateway address to set up a static IP, follow these steps:
- Open the RUN dialog box (Windows + R), type cmd, and press Enter.
- In the cmd window, type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Here, you will see detailed information about the IP address, Default Gateway, and other network details.
How to Change DNS
After setting up the IP address, you can change the DNS by selecting Use the following DNS server addresses. You can use the following DNS addresses:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
Using this DNS can help you access certain blocked websites.
Conclusion
The guide above provides detailed instructions on how to change your computer’s IP address, from dynamic to static. Understanding dynamic and static IPs is basic but essential knowledge to help you use your computer and network more effectively. Hopefully, this article will be helpful, and I wish you success in configuring your network settings!