How To Change Ip Address Windows 7

Sometimes, it's amend to assign a PC it'south own IP address rather than letting your router assign one automatically. Join us as we accept a look at assigning a static IP address in Windows.

Static vs. Automatic IP Addressing

Right now, the IP addresses for your PCs and other devices are probably assigned automatically by your router using a procotol known as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Information technology'southward a handy way for devices to connect to your network more than easily, because you don't have to configure IP addressing for each new device yourself. The downside to automatic addressing is that it's possible for a device'due south IP address to change from time to time.

Generally, that'south not a big deal, but there are times that you might want a device to have a static, unchanging IP address. For example:

Y'all have a device (like a domicile media server, say) that you want to be able to find reliably and you (or other devices) prefer to locate it past IP accost. Using IP addresses is often much handier when troubleshooting your network, for case.
You accept sure apps that can merely connect to network devices using their IP address. In detail, many older networking apps endure this limitation.
You forward ports through your router to devices on your network. Some routers play nice with port forwarding and dynamic IP addresses; others do non.

Whatever your reason, assigning static IP addresses to devices is not difficult, simply you do have a option to brand—whether to exercise it from the router or on the device itself.

Assign Static IP Addresses Via Your Router

While this commodity covers assigning static IP addresses to PCs within Windows itself, at that place is another style to get nigh it. Many routers allow you to assign a pool of IP addresses that are handed out to specific devices (based on the device'south concrete, or MAC address). This method offers a couple of significant advantages:

IP addresses are still managed by the router, meaning that y'all won't have to brand (and keep up with) changes on each individual device.
It'southward easier to assign addresses within the same IP address puddle your router uses.

RELATED: How to Set Static IP Addresses On Your Router

This commodity is nearly assigning static IP addresses directly to PCs running Windows. We've already got a bang-up guide on How to Set Static IP Addresses On Your Router, then if that's the way y'all desire to become, exist sure to give it a read.

With all that in mind, though, allow's take a look at how to assign static IP addresses within Windows XP, Vista, 7, viii, and 10.

Ready a Static IP Address in Windows vii, viii, or 10

To modify the computer's IP address in Windows, y'all'll need to open the "Network Connections" window. Hit Windows+R, blazon "ncpa.cpl" into the Run box, and and then striking Enter.

In the "Network Connections" window, right-click the adapter for which you want to set a static IP accost, and then select the "Backdrop" command.

In the properties window for the adapter, select "Internet Protocol Version four (TCP/IPv4)" and so click the "Properties" push.

Select the "Use the following IP address" option, so type in the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway that corresponds with your network setup. Side by side, type in your preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. Finally, select the "Validate settings upon exit" option and then that Windows immediately checks your new IP address and corresponding information to ensure that it works. When you're ready, click the "OK" button.

Then shut out of the network adapter's backdrop window.

Windows automatically runs network diagnostics to verify that the connection is expert. If in that location are problems, Windows will give you the option of running the Network troubleshooting wizard. Still, if yous practice encounter trouble, the wizard probable won't do you lot too much practiced. It'southward better to bank check that your settings are valid and try again.

Gear up a Static IP Address in Windows Vista

Changing your IP from DHCP to a Static accost in Vista is similar to other versions of Windows, but getting to the right location is a scrap different. Open the Starting time Menu, right-click on Network, and select Backdrop.

The Network and Sharing Center opens…click on Manage network connections.

Right-click on the network adapter you desire to assign an IP accost and click Properties.

Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and so click the Properties button.

Now change the IP, Subnet mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Server Addresses. When you're finished click OK.

Yous'll demand to close out of Local Area Connection Properties for the settings to become into effect.

Open the Command Prompt and use the ipconfig command to verify that the changes were successful.

Prepare a Static IP Address in Windows XP

To set up a Static IP in Windows XP, correct-click the "My Network Places" icon, and and then select "Backdrop."

Right-click the adapter for which yous desire to set the IP, and then select "Properties" from the context menu.

Select the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" entry, and and then click the "Properties" button.

Select the "Use the following IP address" option. Blazon in the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses you lot want to use. When you're finished, click the "OK" push button.

You will need to close out of the adapter'due south properties window before the changes go into outcome.

And you lot tin verify your new settings by using the ipconfig command at the command prompt.

By and large, it'due south better to permit almost of your devices have their IP addresses assigned automatically by your router. Occasionally, though, you might want to set a static IP address for a item device. While you tin set up static IP addresses directly on your devices (and this article has shown you lot how to do just that on Windows PCs), we yet recommending setting upwardly static IP addressing on your router if possible. It will simply brand life easier.