how to change router ip address windows 10

How To Change Your IP Address On Windows 10 (& Why You’d Want To)

We'll help you properly configure your network

When you connect to a local network, the device you’re using is given an IP address, allowing other devices to find and communicate with it, as well as signifying that the device itself has correctly authenticated. The larger the network, the more IP addresses that will be in use, which can cause some allocation issues.

In most cases, IP address allocation is determined by your local router, so to change your IP address on a Windows 10 PC, you’ll need to configure your network as a whole. Alternatively, you may want to set a static IP address , or change your public IP address for all your devices. To change your IP, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Why Change Your IP Address On Windows?

There are a couple of reasons why you might want to change your IP address.

Typically, a local network router will allocate a temporary IP address to your device when you connect using DHCP (the protocol used to assign IP addresses), giving it a temporary lease to that address. When the lease runs out, it will need to be renewed, otherwise you could be allocated a new address.

While this usually happens automatically, problems can sometimes occur. A poorly configured or busy local network, along with misconfigured devices, might result in the same IP address being allocated twice, causing conflicts. 

If this happens, you may wish to set a static IP address, giving your device a permanent address. You’ll want to do this for devices that are regularly accessed by other devices, such as home servers or network attached storage devices .

These all apply for local networks, but you may want to change the IP address given to you by your internet service provider. This can be trickier to do, but there are a few ways to change this address if your ISP allows it.

Configuring Your Network Router DHCP Settings

One of the easiest ways to change your IP address is to configure your network router to assign a new IP address. To do this, you should configure the DHCP settings on your router to assign IP addresses differently.

You could, for instance, set a static allocation for your Windows PC. When your device connects, your router will always assign the same IP address to it by using your device’s MAC address to identify it.

If you don’t want to do this, you could also change the IP range used by your local router. This means that your local IP address may still change from time to time, but the range of addresses will be different. Your IP address may change from 192.168.0.10 to 192.168.10.10 , for instance.

To do this, you’ll need to access your router’s administration page. This will vary by device, but typically, many local routers can be accessed by typing http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 from your web browser. Consult your user manual for the correct username and password to use here.

The steps to change your DHCP settings will also vary, but you’ll typically find DHCP settings listed under its own section (eg. DHCP ), while fixed IP allocations can be found under address allocation or similar.

Releasing DHCP Lease and Resetting Your Dynamic IP

Any changes you make to your router’s DHCP settings may require you to release or renew your Windows IP address using the Windows PowerShell.

• To do this from the Windows PowerShell, right-click the Start menu and click the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.

• In the PowerShell terminal window, type ipconfig /release to release your DHCP lease and disconnect. With your new settings in place, type ipconfig /renew to reconnect.

If your router settings have been correctly changed, releasing your DHCP lease and resetting your IP will result in a new IP address being allocated to your device.

Setting a Static IP Address On Windows 10

A static IP address can be achieved through a fixed DHCP allocation, but you can also set this manually in your Windows 10 settings. You may want to do this if you’re making a direct connection to another device. 

This may also work with your local router, but as your device is already being assigned an IP using DHCP, an IP conflict may occur. In this case, it’s better to use a fixed IP allocation to do this instead.

• To set a static IP address, open your network settings by right-clicking the Start menu and clicking the Network Connections option.

• In the Network Connections settings menu, press the Change connection properties option.

• Under the IP Settings category, press the Edit option.

• Change the IP allocation type to Manual . Enable either IPv4 or IPv6 , then type the static IP settings you wish to apply. An example configuration for an static IPv4 IP address would include 192.168.0.10 for IP address, 24 for subnet prefix length, and 192.168.0.1 for gateway (referring to your local router) and preferred DNS server. Click Save once you’re done.

Once saved, your IP address settings will be applied automatically. You may need to release your existing IP using the steps above or restart your PC for the changes to take effect fully.

Change Your Public IP Address On Windows 10

Your public IP address is the address assigned by your internet service provider, giving you access to the internet. This is assigned to your modem (which is usually combined with your network router, but not always), allowing all other connected network devices to the internet, too.

Changing this address can sometimes be difficult. You’ll need to check if you’re assigned a dynamic (temporary) or static IP address by your ISP first. If you’re assigned a static public IP, your ISP will need to change this for you.

For dynamic IP addresses, you can usually reset this by switching your network modem off for a period of time. By doing this, you’re disconnecting your device from your ISP.

As with your local network, your public IP lease will eventually run out, meaning you may be allocated a new IP address at this point. However, this isn’t guaranteed to work, and you may need to try another method.

If your public IP address won’t change, there are other methods you could try. Using a virtual private network , will hide your public IP as you browse online, for instance.

Configuring Your Network On Windows 10

Whether you’re configuring a server for your network (or for wider internet users), or you just want to free up allocations for other devices, it’s an easy process to change your IP address on Windows 10, although much of the work relies on being able to access your router to properly configure your network.

If your network configuration is causing problems, you may wish to reset your network router to wipe the slate clean and start again. IP allocation issues might be why you’re struggling with network connection issues, but thankfully, there are several ways to fix unidentified network problems on Windows 10.

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing. Read Ben's Full Bio

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• How to Access and Change Your Wi-Fi Router's Settings

Here's how to sign into your router to change your home network's name, password, security options, and various wireless settings.

Your router stores the settings for your home Wi-Fi network. To change something on your network, you have to log into your router's software, also known as firmware. From there, you can rename your network, change the password, adjust the security level, and set up or alter a variety of other options.

But before you can do all that, you first need to gain access to your router. The process for logging into your router should be the same whether you use your internet provider's router or you purchased your own router . It should also be the same whether you use a dedicated router or a combination modem/router  supplied by your provider .

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Find your router's ip address.

You log into your router's firmware through a browser. At the address field, type the IP address of your router. Most routers use an address of 192.168.1.1, but that's not always the case, so you may first want to confirm the address of your router.

To find your router's IP address , type  cmd  in the Windows search bar to open the Command Prompt. Type  ipconfig  at the prompt and press the Enter key on your keyboard. Scroll through the information until you see a setting for Default Gateway under Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter . That's your router, and the number next to it is your router's IP address.

You can also find your router’s IP address in Windows. In Windows 10 , go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > View hardware and connection properties . In Windows 11 , go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Hardware and connection properties .

Details regarding your network connections are displayed. Look for the entry named Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then find the Default Gateway setting to locate your router’s IP address. Once you have the correct address, type it into your browser's address field and press Enter.

Enter Your Login Credentials

After you type the IP address, you're asked for a username and password to access your router's firmware. This is either the default username and password for your router, or unique credentials that you may have created when you set up the router. If you don't remember your login credentials, signing in becomes a bit trickier.

Some routers offer a password-recovery feature. If this is true of your router, this option should appear after you enter the wrong username and password a certain number of times. Typically, this window will ask for your router's serial number, which you can find on the bottom or side of the router.

If you never changed the router's login credentials, many use the default username admin  and the default password  password . Try that combination to see if it works. Otherwise, your best bet is to run a web search for the default username and password for your router brand, such as Netgear, Linksys, Asus, or TP-Link.

Another option is to visit the Router Passwords website , where you can select the manufacturer of your router to get a list of default usernames and passwords. Try each of the suggestions to see if one of them works.

If you still can't log into your router's firmware, you’ll need to reset the device to revert all settings back to their defaults. You'll usually find a small reset button on your router. Using a pointed object, like a pen or paper clip, push in and hold the reset button for around 10 seconds. You should now be able to log into your router using the default username and password.

Change Router Settings

After you gain access to your router's firmware, you’ll be free to change whatever elements you think should be modified. These include the router name and password, the security level, and the Wi-Fi password. You can also set up parental controls, create a guest network , and manage attached devices. Just remember to apply any changes before you move on to the next screen.

While we can't walk you through every process for your specific device, manufacturer documentation and built-in help should be available to assist you with the different options if you're not sure how to set them. Most current or recent routers also have setup wizards that can take care of some of this labor for you.

Change Router Login Credentials

You should change your router's username and password if they’re still set to the default values. Look for an option usually nested under the Administration tab. The screen will likely ask for your current router password before letting you change it. Note that some routers only let you change the password, not the username.

As you create the new password, remember the usual recommendations for creating a  secure password —not so difficult that you can't remember it but complex enough that it’s not easy to guess. A passphrase with a combination of easy-to-remember words is also a good option.

Be sure to remember the new password so you don't have to reset the router in the future. Your router’s firmware may also ask you to set up security questions and answers, another handy way to prove your identity. You’ll then have to apply the settings and log back into your router.

Review Wi-Fi Password

You should also review your Wi-Fi password and username to make sure it’s strong and secure. To do this, look for a Wireless or Wi-Fi section in the router's firmware. You’ll see your current Wi-Fi name and password listed.

Create a more secure password if you feel the current one is too weak. Again, keep the usual password recommendations in mind as you do this. You may also want to change the default Wi-Fi name if it’s still using the brand name of the router. Try to come up with a unique name to distinguish it.

Checking your security settings is another item on the to-do list. Under Security Options, or a similar section, make sure the security for your network is set to at least WPA2-PSK [AES], which will be the strongest level available for most home routers.

Newer routers with the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E technology will offer the more secure WPA3 option. If your router has it, use that option. Apply your new settings and close the browser window when finished.

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About Lance Whitney

My experience.

I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, Popular Science, Time, Fortune, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons— Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn .

My Areas of Expertise

More from lance whitney.

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How to Change Your IP Address

If you need to spoof your IP address, there are a few ways to do it

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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• The Wireless Connection
• Routers & Firewalls
• Network Hubs
• Installing & Upgrading
• Wi-Fi & Wireless

What to Know

• Windows: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings and follow the instructions below.
• Mac: System Preferences > Network . Select a network > Advanced . Go to the TCP/IP tab and select Manually . Enter info.
• iOS: Open Settings > Wi-Fi , tap the circled i next to the network, select Configure IP > Manual . Set up the new IP.

This article explains how to change your IP address manually by switching from the router's assigned DHCP address to a static one on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It also covers how to change your router's public IP address, which appears as the public IP address of every device on the network unless you use a VPN.

You can also get a new IP by releasing and renewing your IP .

Change a Windows Computer's IP Address

If your Windows computer has the IP address set up as a static one, change the IP address as follows:

Open Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center . If you don't see it, first select Network and Internet .

Choose Change adapter settings .

Double-click the connection that you want to change the IP address on. For example, to change the wireless adapter's IP address, double-click the one that mentions Wi-Fi.

Select Properties .

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) .

Either alter the IP address or select Obtain an IP address automatically to have the router control the IP address.

If you leave the setting to obtain an IP address automatically, the router automatically assigns an IP address to the computer. However, when you enter the IP address information, the computer's IP address stays static.

Leave Obtain DNS server address automatically selected. Otherwise, your DNS server settings remain empty, which may cause other connection issues.

Change a Mac Computer's IP Address

Here's how to change the IP address on a Mac.

Open the System Preferences app on the Mac and select Network .

Select your Wi-Fi network in the left panel and click Advanced .

Select the TCP/IP tab.

Select Manually in the drop-down menu next to Configure IPv6 (or iPv4) and enter the information for the new IP.

Change a Phone's IP Address on iPhone

You can also change the IP address on a mobile device such as the Apple iPhone as follows:

Open the  Settings  app and select Wi-Fi .

Tap the small ( i ) next to the network and select Configure IP .

Choose Manual . Enter the network details manually, such as your IP address and DNS information.

The choice of a specific local IP address does not affect the network performance in any meaningful way.

Change a Phone's IP Address on Android

It's also possible to change an Android device's IP to a static IP on your network.

Android phones can vary depending on the manufacturer of the device. Some manufacturers alter the Android OS to meet their specifications, which means the steps you need to follow may differ slightly from those listed here. These steps should apply to most Android devices.

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi .

Tap the network that you want to change the IP address for.

Select Forget .

Tap the network from the list of available Wi-Fi networks.

Select Advanced options .

Choose Static .

Scroll down and fill out the IP address fields.

Enter the Wi-Fi password at the top of the screen.

Select Connect .

Change a Router's IP Address

To change the router's IP address, log in to the router as an administrator. From the control panel, change the IP address to whatever you like. However, this IP address is usually changed when there's a problem with it. The default IP address should suffice for most situations.

How to Change Your Public IP Address

An external public IP address is the address used to communicate with networks outside of your own, such as those on the internet. Use a VPN to mask or hide your real IP address. You can also use a web proxy to mask your public IP.

Why Change Your IP Address?

Some ISPs assign static IP addresses to their subscribers. Home users are commonly configured with a dynamic IP address . Either way, you may be able to contact your ISP to request a new static IP or a dynamic IP change. You can't change your external internet IP address on your own.

Some people change their public external IP address to avoid online bans or bypass country location restrictions that some sites impose on video content.

Changing the IP address of a client computer, phone, or router is useful when:

• An invalid address is accidentally configured, such as a static IP address in the wrong numeric range.
• A malfunctioning router provides bad addresses, such as an address used by another computer on the network.
• Installing a new router and reconfiguring a home network to use its default IP address range.

No. There are many reasons someone may want to change their IP address. However, if you're on a work setup or have a home network running, messing with IP addresses can sometimes cause headaches, so make sure you know what you're doing.

It's possible but not probable. If you're power-cycling your router , the address likely won't change. Still, if you reset your router to factory defaults, it's more likely the device will assign new addresses.

Yes, you can. However, you need third-party software. A VPN , or virtual private network, gives you unique IP addresses in places anywhere on earth.

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How to Change Your IP Address on Windows 10 (3 Methods)

We show you how to change your IP address in Windows 10 using the Settings app, Control Panel, and Command Prompt.

• 1 How to Change IP Address in Windows 10 via Settings
• 2 How to Change your Windows 10 IP Address in Control Panel
• 3 How to Change IP in CMD (Command Prompt)

IP addresses are one of the primary ways services identify a user. Though your IP address may change automatically from time to time, if you've been assigned the wrong IP by your router or want something more static, you need to know how to change your IP address on Windows 10 manually.

What is an IP address?

An IP address is a series of numbers that identifies your device and therefore allows information to be sent between devices. Without IP addresses, computers on the internet and your local network would not be able to differentiate between different devices, routers, websites, etc.

However, IP addresses also come with some downsides. For starters, somebody may be able to use your IP address to get a general idea of your location. Services may also utilize your IP address to track you across the web.

Unfortunately, changing your IP address will with the methods outlined below will not disguise your location. As the IP address will still be connected to your ISP, it can still be traced to their nearest networking hub. It will also not help if you have been banned by a service – you're only changing the IP address on your local network, not the one the internet sees. For that kind of protection, you should consider using Tor or a VPN.

That said, if you do want to change IP address on Windows 10, you'll need to have access to your administrator account. If you do have access, you can learn how to change IP by following the steps below:

How to Change IP Address in Windows 10 via Settings

Unsurprisingly, the simplest way to change your IP address in Windows 10 is via the in-built settings app, but there are a few things you need to look out for when it comes to choosing your new IP:

Press the Start button, then click the settings cog, above the power button. Alternatively, press Windows + I .

If your IP address is currently set manually and you're running into issues, you can change the dropdown in “Edit network IP settings” to “Automatic (DHCP)” and press “Save” .

When you change your IP address, it's important to make sure the information you enter is correct. Before you start, it's useful to gather:

– Your current IP address – Your subnet mask – Your gateway (router IP)

If you don't know these details, you can run the ipconfig command in Command Prompt to obtain them.

Ideally, your new IP address should be of the same format as your old one. For example, if your current IP address is 10.0.0.1, you'll probably want to keep the 10.0.0.x format. Make sure you don't set your IP to the same as your gateway or other devices on your network.

Once you're done, press “Save” .

How to Change your Windows 10 IP Address in Control Panel

If you prefer the old-school way of doing things, the Control Panel may be better suited to you. In some ways, its interface is easier to navigate when it comes to IP editing. Here's how you can use it for that purpose:

Press Start and then type “Control Panel” . Click the top result.

At this point, you'll likely have to authenticate yourself as an administrator.

If your IP address is currently manually assigned and you're running into issues, you can tick “Obtain an IP address automatically” here instead and click “Save” .

Once you're done, press “OK” . You can leave the DNS fields blank, though it's worth noting that there are advantages to changing them.

How to Change IP in CMD (Command Prompt)

The command-line is often the fastest way to get things done, and this is no exception. You can change your IP in Command Prompt in under a minute if you need to. Here's how:

Press Start and type “Command Prompt” , then click “Run as administrator” on the right-hand side.

Before you change your IP, you need to know the name of your interface. This will likely be “Wi-Fi” if you're on a Wi-Fi network or “Ethernet” if you're on Ethernet.

You can check yours with netsh interface IP show config . While you're there, note down its default gateway and subnet mask.

If you set your manual IP previously, you can revert it to automatic assignment via DHCP with the following command:

Remember to replace “Wi-Fi” with whatever your interface is called.

If you'd rather set your IP address manually, you can instead use the following command:

Now that you know how to change your IP address on Windows 10, you may be interested in learning more about your network. Here's how you can change your network name or disable a Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter .

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How to Change IP Address on Windows 10 [Step-by-Step Guide]

Sometimes, we have to change IP address out of many reasons. How to change IP address on Windows 10? If you are also searching for the answer, you can follow this Windows 10 guide provided by MiniTool to change IP address.

Before You Do

How to change your IP address? In order to change IP address Windows 10 smoothly, it’s required to log in to Windows 10 using an administrator account. Besides, you need to find the IP address of your router and computer. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings app and go to the Network & Internet section.

Step 2. In the Status tab, scroll down the right sidebar and click on the View your network properties  option.

Step 3. Now, scroll down the new screen to find the Default gateway and IPv4 address sections. The router’s IP address is next to the Default gateway and the IPv4 address identifies your computer. Remember the IP addresses you have found.

Now, let’s see how to change IP address Windows 10 in the following part.

Minecraft port forwarding is a heated topic among a great number of Minecraft fans. How to port forward Minecraft? Let’s this post tell you the answer.

How to Change My IP Address in Windows 10

Here we will walk you through 2 methods. Each method will be discussed in detail. Now, let’s start learning how to change IP address Windows 10.

Method 1. Change IP Address Windows 10 Using the Settings App

The first and simplest way to change IP address is to use the Settings app. Here’s a full guide for you:

Step 1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I keys and then click on Network & Internet .

Step 2. In the pop-up window, select the network type based on your situation. If your device connects to the Internet through a wireless card, select the Wi-Fi section. If your device is using a wired connection, select the Ethernet section.

Step 3. Scroll down the right sidebar to locate the IP settings section and click on the Edit button.

Step 4. In the pop-up dialog box, select Manual from the drop-down menu and enable the IPv4 switch.

Step 5. Enter all the required details below including IP address , Subnet prefix length , Gateway , etc.

IP address : It refers to the static IP address that you want to use.

Subnet prefix length : It refers to the prefix length that determines the size of the subnet.

Gateway : It refers to the IP address of your router.

The Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS settings are not mandatory to enter. The setting will be automatically assigned by your router if they are blank.

Step 6. After the details are entered, click on the Save button to change IP address.

Method 2. Change IP Address Windows 10 in Control Panel

In addition to the above method, you can change IP address Windows 10 through the Control Panel. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1. Type control in the search window and select the Control Panel app from the best match.

Step 2. Change the View by to Category , and then click on View network status and tasks under the Network and Internet section.

Step 3. Navigate to the View your active networks tab and click on your Internet connection next to it.

Step 4. In the pop-up window, click on Properties and then select the Internet Protocol Version 4 or IPv6 , which depends on the IP address that you’re ready to change. 

Step 5. Click on the  Properties button.

Step 6. In the Properties window, select the Use the following IP address option if you want to set a static IP address.

Step 7. Then you need to enter all the required details manually including IP address, subnet mask , and Default gateway . After that, click on OK to save the changes and exit the window.

How to change your IP address in Windows 10? I believe that already have known detailed steps. Now, it’s your turn to have a try.

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How to access your router's settings

How to access your router's settings to change your Wi-Fi password and more

Sometimes you need to know how to access your router's settings. But really, that moment comes along so infrequently that it's easy to forget just how to do so. 

If you're like most Americans with broadband Internet, you probably have a router at home which broadcasts the Wi-Fi network that your devices use. Many people rent a modem from their Internet provider which has a Wi-Fi router built in, but it's also common to buy one of the best cable modems and router to avoid paying your ISP rental fees. Plus, the best Wi-Fi routers offer great performance and extra security features.

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No matter what router you have, when you want to fiddle with its settings you'll almost certainly need to dial into it remotely using a web browser on a device connected to its Wi-Fi network. 

This can be a tricky process, as you'll need to find your router's IP address to access it at all, and then provide the proper username and password to log in and start changing settings. 

Following the steps outlined below, which are written with the assumption you have access to a Windows PC, should make the process a little smoother. If you run into any issues, contact your router's manufacturer for help with troubleshooting.

How to access your router's settings: Check your IP address

1. To change your router's settings you'll need to be able to talk to it, and to do that you need to know its IP address. Many routers use 192.168.1.1 as their default IP address, but yours might be different. 

To find out for sure, connect a PC to your router's Wi-Fi network ; this is most easily accomplished with a laptop, since many desktop PCs don't come with Wi-Fi connectivity built in.

2. Once you have a Windows PC connected to the Wi-Fi network in question, open the Command Prompt (most easily accomplished by hitting the Start button and typing "command", then selecting Command Prompt from the results) and type ipconfig into the command line. 

Scroll down the results until you see a section that reads Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter; this is your connection to your router, and the address listed next to Default Gateway is your router's IP address.

Bonus: If you're running Windows 10 you can look up your router's IP address without accessing the Command Prompt. Instead, open the Network & Internet section of your Windows 10 Settings menu by hitting the Start key and typing "settings", hitting Enter, and then navigating to Network & Internet > Status > "View hardware and connection properties."

Scroll down the Properties list until you see an entry for Default gateway — the number listed next to it should be your router's IP address.

How to access your router's settings: Log into your router

1. Once you know your router's IP address, logging in should be pretty easy: simply type the IP address into the address bar of your browser, and your router should send you to a page asking for your login and password. 

Remember, you have to do this on a device connected to your router, either via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable!

2. Ideally you remember the login and password for your router, so this part is smooth sailing. But we live in a world of realities, not ideals, and the truth is most of us have a hard time remembering our router login details. 

If you can't remember your username and password for the router, take heart: you may never have established any, so you may be able to log in using the router's default username and password. 

Many routers ship with admin and password as their default username and password, respectively; if those don't work on your router, you can also try looking it up on Router Passwords , which maintains a large database of default router logins.

3. If you can't seem to find the correct username and password to log into your router, you should be able to reset it instead. Some routers offer an option to help you recover your password , often triggered once you fail to log in correctly. This often requires providing your router's serial number, which can typically be found on the back or bottom of the router. 

Other routers just tell you to reset the router if you can't remember your login credentials, which is usually accomplished by pressing the router's reset button for ten seconds . Most routers have small reset buttons inset into their back or bottom, though you'll often need a pen or paperclip to press and hold the button down. 

Once you've reset the router, you should be able to log into it with the manufacturer's default username and password.

How to access your router's settings: Change router settings

1. Once you've logged into your router via a connected browser, you should have free reign to change whatever settings you wish. Most modern routers will offer an array of tweakable options in a simplified graphical interface, so it should be pretty straightforward to change settings like the Wi-Fi password , the Wi-Fi network name , which websites are blocked, whether there's a guest Wi-Fi network , and more. 

Many modern routers offer automated guides to at least some of these settings, and we recommend you consult the router's documentation (or Google) before changing anything you don't understand. 

If something catastrophic happens and your router no longer works the way you want, you can always reset it (using the afore-mentioned reset button) back to factory default settings.

2. Once you've accomplished whatever you came to do, consider taking a moment to look over your router's security settings and make sure they're up to snuff. 

For example, if you're still using the router's default username and password, you should change them post-haste — if you can look up your router's login details on the Internet, other people could too! 

Check out our guide to how to secure your Wi-Fi and improve your router's security for more ideas on how to improve your network's defenses.

• More: Best Wi-Fi extenders
• A  virtual router  can share your VPN connections with other devices
• How to set up your Wi-Fi extender for the best signal
• How to see who's using your Wi-Fi network

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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How to Change Your Router’s IP Address

No matter how clever your username and password, login credentials can be cracked. For an added layer of security, you can change your router’s IP address. Manufacturers typically use a basic IP address (192.168.0.1 is used for many), which is used to access the router login page. By changing part of that IP address, unwanted guests will need your username and password, plus they’ll need to guess your customized IP. Here’s how to make your IP address more secure.

1. Log into your account. Open your browser and enter the manufacturer’s default IP address, typically located on the underside of your router or in the user manual. Using your username and password, log into your router settings page.

2. Open the basic setup tab. The location of this option will vary by router, though it should be fairly easy to find on a general settings tab. On our Motorola Surfboard SGB6580 cable router, the option can be found under Basic > Setup under the subheading Network Configuration.

3. Change one (or both) of the last two numbers in the IP address. Here, you’ll want to change one or both of the last two numbers of the IP address in the LAN IP Address field. You can use any integer between 1 and 254, giving you 64,516 possible IP combinations and making it much more difficult for someone to guess your router’s IP address. For example, I changed the default IP of 192.168.200.01 on my router to 192.168.200.36. Be sure to write this number down, as you’ll need it to get into your settings tab once the changes take effect.

4. Click Apply, and wait for your router to reboot. Once you’ve finished selecting your IP and have written your selection down someplace safe, click the Apply button and wait for your router to reboot. Check that the changes took effect by using your new IP to access the router settings page.

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How to Change Your IP Address (Windows)

Last Updated: March 13, 2020 Tested

This article was written by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 2,523,000 times.

This wikiHow teaches you how to change both your public IP address and your private IP address on a Windows computer. Your public IP address is the address that your computer broadcasts to other networks, while your private IP address is your computer's specific address within your own wireless network. Changing either of these may fix connection issues.

• You may want to check your current IP address before doing this.
• Simply unplugging the router and modem from the wall will work.

• Click Wi-Fi in the pop-up window.

• You may want to check your IP address again to make sure it has changed.

Renewing the Address

• If you aren't an administrator on your current computer, you won't have this option and thus won't be able to renew your computer's IP address.

Changing the Address

• IP address - Usually, your device's IP address will be "192.168.1.X" (or a similar set of numbers), wherein "X" is specific to your device. Change the "X" value to a number between 1 and 100. Make sure you don't use the same IP address as another device on your network (e.g., your phone).
• Subnet prefix length - This depends on your IP address, but will usually be "255.255.255.X".
• Gateway - This is your router's IP address.
• Preferred DNS - Your preferred DNS address (for example: "208.67.222.222" for the OpenDNS server, or "8.8.8.8" for Google's server).
• Alternate DNS - A secondary DNS address (for example: "208.67.220.220" for the OpenDNS server, or "8.8.4.4" for Google's server).

Expert Q&A

• You'd change your public IP address in the event that you were kicked out of a gaming service (e.g., Steam), while you'd change your private IP address to fix website loading errors. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Using a proxy server will not change your IP address in the traditional sense, but it will alter the IP address that others can see. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can also use a browser like Tor to hide your IP address, though such browsers can be dangerous and are often slower than average. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• If you choose an in-use IP address for your computer when changing its private IP address, the device that is currently using that address will get kicked off of the network. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.whatismyip.com/ip-faq/how-to-change-your-ip-address/

About This Article

1. Unplug your router and modem. 2. Disable your Wi-Fi. 3. Wait 5 minutes. 4. Plug the router and modem back in. 5. Re-enable Wi-Fi. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Change Your Router Settings

To get the most out of your router, you need to learn how to change your WiFi router settings, and we are here to teach you.

If you’ve never paid much attention to your router, you might be wondering why you should bother learning how to change router settings in the first place. After all, if it’s been working fine so far, why risk breaking something?

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Why Should I Learn How to Change My Router Settings?

How to gain access to a router, how to change your router’s login information, how to change router ip address, how to change your ssid, how to configure multi-ssid and guest wi-fi, how to change the wireless channel and band, how to set up parental controls, how to activate remote management, how to see who is connected to my router.

The answer is simple: because you have a lot to gain and nothing to lose. Much like it’s virtually impossible for you to physically damage your computer by clicking on a wrong link or messing with its settings, so are modern routers designed to be fool-proof.

Probably the worst thing that can happen is you change your wireless router settings in a way that makes it easier for others to steal your personal information. A much more likely scenario is, however, that you learn how to change your wireless router settings to protect your personal information as much as possible.

Knowing how to change your router settings also enables you to take full advantage of some of the more advanced features of your router, many of which you might not even be aware of at the moment. Don’t worry: even if you consider yourself to be a computer neophyte, you’ll be able to learn how to change router settings in no time.

To play with your router’s settings, you need to learn how to access it as an administrator . If you’re on the same network as the router (i.e., you’re either connected to the router with an Ethernet cable or are connected to a wireless network created by the router), you can try the simple method first:

Open your favorite web browser.

One by one, enter the following IP addresses into the URL bar: 192.168.0.1 , 192.168.1.1 , 192.168.2.1 , 10.0.1.1, 10.0.0.1 , 10.10.1.1.

If you see a login window or a welcome page, you’re in luck and can processed to the next chapter of this article. If you’re unable to access your router using any of the IP addresses listed above, try the next method:

Click the Windows logo located on the left side of the taskbar.

Click the Settings icon.

Choose Network & Internet.

Click View your network properties.

Scroll down and look for “Default gateway.”

The number next to it is your router’s IP address.

Type the address into the URL bar of your favorite web browser.

If you see a login window or a welcome page, you’ve successfully accessed your router.

The next step is to log in as administrator. If you haven’t changed your router’s admin password, there’s a good chance that “admin” will work. If it doesn’t, look at the information sticker on the bottom or back of the router. Router manufacturers sometimes print the default username and password on it.

If you’re still unable to access your router, we recommend you long-press the reset button on its back and try again. Should even this fail to grant you access to your router’s admin interface, try searching for help online. There are many websites, such as this one , that list routers and corresponding admin login information.

The first thing you should do after gaining access to your router is change the default password to something more secure. If you were to leave the default password as it is, someone else could just walk up to your router and mess with its settings. The person could, for example, disable your wireless security and capture your personal information without you knowing about it.

To change your router’s password :

Enter your router’s IP address into your favorite web browser.

Log in with the default username and password (both admin, usually).

Go to settings.

Select Change Router Password or a similar option.

Enter the new password.

Save the new settings.

Remember that a strong password is at least eight characters long and consists of a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Before we explain how to change router IP address , we want to clarify the difference between public and local IP address.

As the name suggests, a public IP address is the address computers and servers outside your network see when you connect to them. It’s also the address you see when you visit a website like What Is My IP ?, which is a leader in providing IP address lookup services.

Your public IP address is assigned to you by your internet service provider, and you typically have no control over it. Some ISPs provide static IP addresses to their customers, but the chances are that you have a dynamic IP address that changes from time to time on its own or after a request.

Your local IP address, on the other hand, is the address assigned to your router and all other devices behind it, and you can change it as you see fit. This is how to do it on D-Link routers, and routers from other manufacturers won’t be much different.

Log in with the default username and password.

Click on Setup.

Choose Network Settings.

Type in the router’s new IP address under Router Settings.

Click on Save Setting.

After you’ve changed your router’s IP address, you will no longer be able to access it using the old address. This is something to remember as it could throw you off the next time you decide to change your router’s settings.

SSID (Service Set Identifier) is really just a fancy term for network name. As you’re probably aware of, all Wi-Fi networks are uniquely identified by a sequence of characters. If you’ve never changed your wireless router settings before, the chances are that your Wi-Fi has a very generic name. To change it to something more memorable, there are a couple of steps you must go through:

Choose Wireless Settings.

Type in your new SSID.

Save the new settings and wait for your router to restart.

When choosing a name for your Wi-Fi network, stay away from anything that might be interpreted as offensive. We also recommend you don’t try to make it seem as if your network is a public hotspot . Using a fake name for your Wi-Fi really doesn’t do anything for your privacy and security, but it can dramatically slow down your download and upload speeds.

Many modern wireless routers can broadcast multiple access points at the same time. Typically, one accessed point is used to connect known devices to the network, and a completely separate access point is created for guests. The main benefit is that you don’t need to share your main Wi-Fi password with strangers and hope they won’t publish it anywhere.

To create a guest Wi-Fi with a Netgear router, follow the instructions below. The process should be very similar for routers from other manufacturers.

Enter the router user name and password.

Select Guest Network.

Ensure that the Enable SSID Broadcast check box selected.

Give the guest network name.

Select a security option.

Click the Apply button to save your settings.

Wireless routers support different 802.11 standards, which provide several distinct radio frequency ranges, also called bands, for use in Wi-Fi communications, with each band being split into multiple channels.

If you have a newer router, the chances are that it supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Because the 5 GHz band is less common than the 2.4 GHz band, it tends to be less crowded, making it a great choice for densely populated urban areas where Wi-Fi networks are present in massive concentrations.

When it comes to choosing the most suitable Wi-Fi channel , a network analyzer such as NetSpot can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Download and install NetSpot .

Launch the application and activate Discover mode.

Wait a short while for NetSpot to collect information about surrounding Wi-Fi networks and present wireless data as an interactive table.

Click the “Channels 2.4 GHz” header to see where Wi-Fi channels are overlapping.

Look for the channel with the least number of networks present on it.

If you’re selecting a channel in the 2.4 GHz band, try to choose the channel 1, 6, or 11. These are so-called non-overlapping channels, which means they don’t overlap with one another.

You can use NetSpot for Android to detect and inspect the nearby Wi-Fi networks and the channels they broadcast on.

Parental controls are features that help you reduce the risk of your child being exposed to inappropriate content online. These controls can be divided into two broad categories: filtering and monitoring. With filtering, you can limit access to age inappropriate content and place time-limits on usage. Monitoring allows you to see exactly what your child is doing online, so you can intervene in time if you sense that it might be in danger.

Parental controls are typically located under router settings, but they may also have their own category. Because children will go above and beyond to circumvent any content restrictions you put in place to protect them, it’s highly recommended to set a PIN for parental controls.

If you have a capable router, you don’t even need to be at home to monitor its activity. Thanks to remote management functionality, you can monitor it from anywhere using your smartphone or computer.

To access your router from an outside network:

Enter your router’s admin panel.

Go to settings and look for Remote Management.

Turn on Remote Management and save your settings.

The reason why remote management is turned off by default is that it represents a certain security risk. Hackers might try to break your router password and use remote management to compromise your security. That’s why we recommend you turn remote management off when you know you won’t be using it for a while.

Have you noticed that your internet speeds fluctuate up and down regardless of your activity? There’s a chance that someone else besides you is connected to your router and stealing your bandwidth. To find out if that’s really the case, you need to go to your router’s administrative panel:

Find out your router’s IP address.

Type in that IP address in a browser window.

Log in as admin.

Look for an option called “My Network” or “Attached Devices” or something similar.

If you see a device that shouldn’t be connected to your router, kick it off your network and ban its MAC address.

Routers are intricate machines with a plethora of different settings that you can play with and customize to your liking. In this article, we’ve explained how to access router and change router settings, including wireless router settings. Of course, it’s impossible for us to talk about all router settings, but the crucial ones are covered in this article.

WiFi analyzer app runs on a MacBook (macOS 10.10+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.

If you want to get more information about Wi-Fi, check out the following articles about Wi-Fi routers, the best apps for wireless networking, WiFi signal, etc.

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How to find and manually assign an IP address on Windows 10

Step 1: Open the Control Panel

You can also type control panel in the search bar at the lower left of the screen and press Enter to open the control panel.

Step 2: Go to Network Connections

Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center .

Select Change adapter settings on the left.

Step 3: Find the IP address

Right click the Ethernet icon and select Status from the context menu.

Then click Details... to view all detailed information of network connection.

Step 4: Set the IP address

Right Click Local Area Connection and select Properties .

Then double click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) .

Select Use the Following IP address: and type in the IP address , Subnet mask and Default gateway . Click OK to apply the settings.

Note : If you need to set a static DNS server, select Use the following DNS server address : and input the address of DNS server. By default, the computer obtains the address automatically.

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How to Find Your Router's IP Address in Windows 10

It is now easier than ever to find your router's IP address in Windows 10. Maybe you are trying to log in to your router and you are not sure where to start. Begin by looking at your network and finding your router's IP address.

To get to the your router's IP address in Windows 10: click the Windows Key (You can find it on your keyboard between CTRL and ALT.) click on the Gear icon ( Settings Menu) click on Network and Internet In the Status section, click on View hardware and connection properties

Next, look through this list of network details to find your router's IP address. It is listed under Ethernet or Wi-Fi as the Default Gateway setting. The number next to Default Gateway is your router's IP address .

For those of you trying to access your router, you can copy your router's IP address, paste it into your browser, hit enter... and you should see the login screen of your router. Next, enter your router username and password to access the settings in your router.

If you are not sure what your password is check out our lists of Default Router Passwords . If you are using an operating system other than Windows 10, this Router IP address guide can help you figure out the IP address of your router.

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How To Change The Router IP Address in Windows 10

Now is the time when we need to take responsibility for our security and privacy. Certainly, there are many security and privacy tools available, that guarantees security in exchange for a few dollars. However, how much can we rely on them for staying secure, is a question that needs to be answered now.

Believe it or not but dependency on security software has made our devices more prone to attacks. Therefore, it is essential for all users to learn at least basic security measures to protect our devices from the attackers. Windows users can do so by changing the router’s IP address in Windows 10.

Distributed denial of service (DDOS) and brute force attacks infect the entire network via a router. Therefore, to stay safe from such attacks users are recommended to change default username and password for their routers.

Hopefully, all this has been done by you, but there’s more that you can do to stay secure from online attacks.

Today, in this article we will discuss, how to add an extra layer of security to the routers, by changing the default IP Address of your router in Windows 10.

Also Read:  How to uninstall software from your Windows 10 

Change Default IP Address of your Router:

Before we proceed further, for those who don’t know what is your router’s IP address? How can you access it? Let’s learn, how to find router’s IP address in Windows 10.

How to Find the Router IP Address in Windows 10?

The router is the gateway that connects all your devices to the Internet and it has a unique IP address. This address can be found on the sticker pasted at the back of your router. or in the instruction manual of the router. But if your router is old or you are unable to find the manual then what?

In that case, you can use this alternate method to find the IP address of your router on Windows 10:

1. Open Windows Settings by clicking on the Windows Start button > Settings (gear icon).

3. Once the Network & Internet settings window open, click on the Status option located in the left pane. Now in the right pane click on View Your Network Properties option.

4. This will open a new window with all your network properties. On this window, you can find your router’s IP address in front of the Default gateway.

Now that you have the IP Address of your router you can proceed forward and change this.

Note: You need to have your router IP Address for updating its software, change its security settings and setting up parental controls.

How to Change the IP Address of your Router in Windows 10?

Basically, to keep things as simple as possible router manufacturing companies use an elementary IP Address, similar to 192.168.1.0.1. Now if an attacker wants to gain access to your home or office network, all he needs is username and password, as the default, IP address is what he has access to. This is when changing the router’s IP address on Windows 10 comes to play.

Steps to change the router’s IP address on Windows 10

1. Now enter the default IP address of your Router, say for an example 192.168.0.1 in the browser address bar and hit the Enter key.

2. On the screen that opens type in your username and password to get into settings of the router.

3. On the Router Settings page, click on the Basic > LAN Setup. This will open the Private LAN Setting. In the box next to Private LAN IP Address, alter the last two values of the IP address. Please note that you can use any number for the last two value field, ranging from 1 to 254.

4.We strictly recommend that you do not try to change first two value field of IP Address. As a change in the first and second value can arise the conflicts in the network while making a connection with the main network.

5. Once you have set the new IP Address for your router, jot it down somewhere carefully. Now click on the Save Changes button and restart the router to change the default router IP Address.

To confirm that you successfully change the router’s Ip address, enter the new IP address of your router in the browser and hit Enter. If you are able to successfully login after providing your username and password, then it confirms that you no more use the default IP Address for your router.

Guys, it may be possible that after changing the default IP Address of your router, your devices are unable to establish a connection with the Internet. However, you need not get worried as it can be easily resolved by restarting your devices.

Now since you have changed your router’s IP Address, any intruder or attacker first have to know the router IP address, before guessing the username and password.

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About the author

Varun is a technical blogger at Tweak Library. His engineering background helps him present technical solutions and concepts in an engaging manner. Varun enjoys reading both short and long form fiction and has tried his hand at writing poems too. When not busy with the pen, he likes traveling and spending time with family.

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Technology Simplified.

How to Change IP Address in Windows 10

By: Waseem Patwegar

Sometimes, you may find the need to modify or change the IP Address of your computer. You will find below the steps to Change IP Address in Windows 10.

Change IP Address in Windows 10

In a typical Networking setup, the IP Address of Modem/Router is assigned by the ISP (Internet Service Provider), which in-turn assigns a unique Private IP Address to your computer.

While most users never find the need to change or even check the IP Address of their computers, those working on a large network may sometimes find the need to change IP Address of their computer.

Hence, we are providing below an easy way to Change IP Address in Windows 10.

Step#1. Find Router IP Address

The first step is to note down the IP Address of Router (DHCP Server Entry) and also the Subnet Mask Address . These will be required, when you change your computers IP Address in the next step.

1. Type Command Prompt in Windows search bar > right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Admin .

2. In Command Prompt window, type ipconfig/all and press the Enter key.

3. Once the command is executed, scroll down the list of entries and note down Subnet Mask Address and the DHCP Server Address (Router IP Address)

4. Close the Command Prompt window.

Step#2. Change IP Address Using Settings

After noting down Subnet Mask and DHCP Server Address, follow the steps below to change the IP Address of your computer.

1. Go to Settings > click on Network & Internet .

2. On the next screen, select your Network type ( WiFi or Ethernet) in the left-pane. In the right-pane, scroll down and click on Change adapter options link under “Related Settings”.

3. On the next screen, right-click on your active Network (WiFi or Ethernet) and click on Properties .

4. On the properties screen, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties .

5. On IPv4 properties screen, select Use the following IP Address option > Enter Default Gateway (DHCP Server Address), Subnet Mask Address , New IP Address and click on OK .

As you can see in above image, the first 3 number sets (192.175.0) in IP Address Field need to be the same as the Router IP Address (DHCP Server entry) and you can only change the last number set with any number from 1 to 255.

• How to Find Your Public and Private IP Address
• How to Change Router IP Address

How-To Geek

How to change your ip address from the command prompt in windows.

It's easy enough to change an IP address on your PC using Control Panel, but did you know you can also do it from the Command Prompt?Changing your IP address with the Control Panel interface isn't difficult, but it does require clicking through a number of different windows and dialog boxes.

Quick Links

View your network information, change your ip address, subnet mask, and default gateway, change your dns settings.

It's easy enough to change an IP address on your PC using Control Panel, but did you know you can also do it from the Command Prompt?

Changing your IP address with the Control Panel interface isn't difficult, but it does require clicking through a number of different windows and dialog boxes. If you're a fan of the Command Prompt, though, you can get it done more quickly using the netsh command, which is just one of the great network utilities built into Windows .

The netsh command allows you to configure just about any aspect of your network connections in Windows. To work with it, you'll need to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. In Windows 10 or 8.1, right-click the Start menu (or press Windows+X on your keyboard) and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)." In previous versions of Windows, search Start for "command prompt" and then right-click the result and choose "Run as Administrator."

Related: 8 Common Network Utilities Explained

Before you change your IP address and related information, you'll need to find the full name of the network for the interface you want to change. To do this, type the following command:

netsh interface ipv4 show config

Related: How to Enable CTRL+C / Ctrl+V for Pasting in the Windows Command Prompt

Scroll down until you see the interface you're looking for. In our example, we're going to modify the Wi-Fi interface, which on our machine is just named "Wi-Fi." You'll also see other default names that Windows assigns to interfaces, such as "Local Area Connection," "Local Area Connection* 2," and "Ethernet." Just find the one you're looking for and make note of the exact name. You can also copy and paste the name to Notepad and then back into Command Prompt later to make things easier.

With the interface name in hand, you're ready to change the IP Address, subnet mask, and gateway. To do this, you'll issue a command using the following syntax:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="YOUR INTERFACE NAME" static IP_ADDRESS SUBNET_MASK GATEWAY

So, for example, your command might look something like the following:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="Wi-Fi" static 192.168.3.8 255.255.255.0 192.168.3.1

where the info is replaced by whatever you want to use. In our example, the command does the following:

• Uses the interface name "Wi-Fi"
• Sets the IP address to 192.168.3.1
• Sets the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0
• Sets the default gateway to 192.168.3.1

And if you're using a static IP address but want to switch to using an IP address assigned automatically by a DHCP server--such as your router--you can use the following command instead:

netsh interface ipv4 set address name="YOUR INTERFACE NAME" source=dhcp

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your DNS Server

You can also use the netsh command to change the DNS servers used by a network interface. Third-party DNS servers--like Google Public DNS and OpenDNS --can be faster and more reliable than the DNS servers provided by your ISP. Whatever  your reason for changing your DNS server , you can do it either at the router so it affects all the devices that get their information from the router or at the individual device. If you want to change the DNS servers for just one PC, it's easy to do with the netsh command.

You'll need to use the command twice: once to set your primary DNS server and once to set your secondary, or backup, DNS server. To set your primary DNS server, use the following syntax:

netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="YOUR INTERFACE NAME" static DNS_SERVER

So, for example, your command might look something like the following (in which we set it to Google's primary public DNS server, 8.8.8.8):

netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8

To set your secondary DNS server, you'll use a very similar command:

netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="YOUR INTERFACE NAME" static DNS_SERVER index=2

So, continuing our example, you might set your secondary DNS as the Google Public DNS secondary server, which is 8.8.4.4:

netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 8.8.4.4 index=2

And just like with the IP address, you can also change it so that the network interface grabs its DNS settings automatically from a DHCP server instead. Just use the following command:

netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers name"YOUR INTERFACE NAME" source=dhcp

And there you have it. Whether you like typing at the command prompt better or just want to impress your coworkers, now you know all the command line magic you need for changing your IP address settings.

Change TCP/IP settings

TCP/IP defines how your PC communicates with other PCs.

To make it easier to manage TCP/IP settings, we recommend using automated Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP automatically assigns Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the computers on your network if your network supports it. If you use DHCP, then you don't have to change your TCP/IP settings if you move your PC to another location, and DHCP doesn't require you to manually configure TCP/IP settings, such as Domain Name System (DNS) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS).

To enable DHCP or change other TCP/IP settings

Select  Start , then type settings . Select  Settings  >  Network & internet .

Do one of the following:

For a Wi-Fi network, select  Wi-Fi  >  Manage known networks . Choose the network for which you want to change the settings.

For an Ethernet network, select  Ethernet , then select the Ethernet network you’re connected to.

Next to  IP assignment , select  Edit .

Under  Edit network IP settings or Edit IP settings , select  Automatic (DHCP)  or  Manual .

To specify IPv4 settings manually

Under  Edit network IP settings or Edit IP settings , choose  Manual , then turn on  IPv4 .

To specify an IP address, in the  IP address, Subnet mask , and  Gateway  boxes, type the IP address settings.

To specify a DNS server address, in the  Preferred DNS  and  Alternate DNS  boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.

To specify if you want to use an encrypted (DNS over HTTPS) or unencrypted connection to the DNS server or servers you specify, for DNS over HTTPS , choose the setting you want:

Off : All DNS queries will be sent to the DNS server unencrypted in plaintext over HTTP.

On (automatic template) : DNS queries will be encrypted and sent to the DNS server over HTTPS. DNS queries will use the default settings for the automatic template or try to discover them automatically.

On (manual template) : DNS queries will be encrypted and sent to the DNS server over HTTPS. They’ll use the settings you enter in the DNS over HTTPS template box.

If you use DNS over HTTPS (automatic or manual template), turn Fallback to plaintext on or off:

When it’s turned on, a DNS query will be sent unencrypted if it can’t be sent over HTTPS.

When it’s turned off, a DNS query won’t be sent if it can’t be sent over HTTPS.

To specify IPv6 settings manually

Under  Edit network IP settings or Edit IP settings , choose  Manual , then turn on  IPv6 .

To specify an IP address, in the  IP address , Subnet prefix length , and  Gateway  boxes, type the IP address settings.

When you select  Automatic (DHCP) , the IP address settings and DNS server address setting are set automatically by your router or other access point (recommended).

When you select  Manual , you can manually set your IP address settings and DNS server address.

When you’re done, select  Save .

Note:  To install IPv4, run Command Prompt as an administrator, type netsh interface ipv4 install , and then press Enter .

Select Start   , then select Settings   > Network & Internet   .

For a Wi-Fi network, select Wi-Fi   > Manage known networks . Choose the network you want to change the settings for, then select Properties.

For an Ethernet network, select Ethernet , then select the Ethernet network you’re connected to.

Under IP assignment , select Edit .

Under Edit IP settings , select Automatic (DHCP) or Manual .

Under Edit IP settings , choose Manual , then turn on IPv4 .

To specify an IP address, in the IP address, Subnet prefix length , and Gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.

To specify a DNS server address, in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.

Under Edit IP settings , choose Manual , then turn on IPv6 .

When you select Automatic (DHCP) , the IP address settings and DNS server address setting are set automatically by your router or other access point (recommended).

When you select Manual , you can manually set your IP address settings and DNS server address.

When you’re done, select Save .

In Windows 8.1, select the Start button, start typing View network connections , and then select View network connections in the list.

In Windows 7, open Network Connections by selecting the Start button, and then selecting Control Panel . In the search box, type adapter , and then, under Network and Sharing Center , select View network connections .

Right-click the connection that you want to change, and then select Properties . If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Select the Networking tab. Under This connection uses the following items , select either Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) , and then select Properties .

To specify IPv4 IP address settings, do one of the following:

To get IP settings automatically using DHCP, select Obtain an IP address automatically , and then select OK .

To specify an IP address, select Use the following IP address , and then, in the IP address, Subnet mask , and Default gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.

To specify IPv6 IP address settings, do one of the following:

To get IP settings automatically using DHCP, select Obtain an IPv6 address automatically , and then select OK .

To specify an IP address, select Use the following IPv6 address , and then, in the IPv6 address, Subnet prefix length , and Default gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.

To specify DNS server address settings, do one of the following:

To get a DNS server address automatically using DHCP, select Obtain DNS server address automatically , and then select OK .

To specify a DNS server address, select Use the following DNS server addresses , and then, in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.

To change advanced DNS, WINS, and IP settings, select Advanced .

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