How to Change Your IP Address on Windows 10/11

To change your local IP address on Windows 10 or 11, open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, click Change Adapter Settings, right-click your network adapter, select Properties, double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and enter a static IP address. This assigns a permanent local IP instead of one automatically provided by your router.

Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 16, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Your local (private) IP address is assigned by your router via DHCP. You can override it with a static IP through Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
• Use the arp -a command in PowerShell to see which IP addresses are already taken on your network before choosing a new one.
• When setting a static IP, you need four values: the IP address itself, subnet mask (255.255.255.0), default gateway (your router’s IP), and DNS servers (Google’s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 work well).
• To revert to automatic IP assignment, go back to TCP/IPv4 properties and select “Obtain an IP address automatically.”
• Changing your local IP does not change your public IP address. To change your public IP, you need a VPN like ProtonVPN.

Quick Steps

1. Open Control Panel and set View By to Small Icons.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center, then Change Adapter Settings.
3. Right-click your network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties.
4. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
5. Select “Use the following IP address” and enter your new IP, subnet mask (255.255.255.0), default gateway, and DNS servers.
6. Click OK twice and close the Properties window to apply.

How to Open Network Adapter Settings

Press Windows key + S to open search, type “Control Panel,” and open it. Change the View By dropdown to Small Icons, then click Network and Sharing Center. On the left side, click Change Adapter Settings.

This opens the Network Connections window where you can see every network adapter on your system. On a desktop, your main adapter is typically labeled “Ethernet.” On a laptop or desktop with Wi-Fi, you will also see a wireless adapter. Ignore any virtual adapters from VPN software or virtual machines — focus on the adapter you actually use to connect to your network.

How to Find Available IP Addresses on Your Network

Before picking a new IP address, you need to know which addresses are already in use. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator (right-click the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin)).

Run the following command to see your current IP address and default gateway:

ipconfig

Note your current IP address and default gateway from the output. The default gateway is your router’s IP address — you will need it later. Next, run this command to see all IP addresses currently assigned on your network:

arp -a

Look at the list under your network’s interface. Any IP address not listed there is available for use. On most home networks, the router sits at x.x.x.1 and you can pick any number from 2 to 254. Avoid 255 as that is the broadcast address.

How to Set a Static IP Address

Back in the Network Connections window, right-click your network adapter and select Properties. In the list that appears, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and double-click it.

Select “Use the following IP address” and fill in these four fields:

• IP address: The new address you picked (e.g., 192.168.10.25). Keep the first three octets the same as your current IP — only change the last number.
• Subnet mask: Click into this field and it fills automatically. On home networks this is 255.255.255.0.
• Default gateway: Your router’s IP address from the ipconfig output (typically x.x.x.1).

Under DNS servers, select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter:

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

These are Google’s public DNS servers. They are fast, reliable, and a solid default choice. Click OK, then click OK again on the adapter properties window to apply the changes.

How to Verify Your New IP Address

After applying the changes, right-click your network adapter again and select Status. Click the Details button to see your updated network information. Your new IP address should appear next to IPv4 Address, and DHCP Enabled should now show “No” — confirming the static IP is active.

You can also verify from PowerShell by running ipconfig again. The new address should appear under your adapter.

How to Revert to Automatic IP Assignment (DHCP)

If you need to switch back to an automatically assigned IP, go back to your adapter’s properties and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) again. Select “Obtain an IP address automatically.” You can also switch DNS back by selecting “Obtain DNS server address automatically,” or keep Google’s DNS servers — either works fine.

Click OK twice. Your router will assign a new IP address via DHCP within a few seconds. Verify by checking the adapter status details — DHCP Enabled should show “Yes” again.

Why Would You Change Your Local IP Address?

There are a few practical reasons to set a static local IP address on Windows:

• Resolve IP conflicts: If two devices on the same network get assigned the same address, both lose connectivity. Setting a static IP on one of them fixes the conflict immediately.
• Port forwarding: If you are forwarding ports on your router to a specific PC (for game servers, remote desktop, etc.), that PC needs a static IP so the forwarding rules do not break when the address changes.
• Device management: Assigning fixed IPs to devices like printers, NAS drives, or servers makes them easier to access consistently on your network.

Local IP vs Public IP — What Is the Difference?

The method in this guide only changes your local (private) IP address — the one your router assigns to your device within your home network. It does not change your public IP address, which is what websites and online services see. Your public IP is assigned by your Internet Service Provider and is shared by every device on your network.

To change your public IP address, you need a VPN. I recommend ProtonVPN — it has a free tier with no data limits, and I have a full installation guide if you want to set it up.

If you are looking for a way to optimize your Windows installation and disable unnecessary telemetry, check out Winhance — my own Windows enhancement utility that makes it easy to configure privacy and performance settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a static IP and a dynamic IP?

A dynamic IP address is automatically assigned by your router through DHCP and can change each time you reconnect. A static IP is one you manually set on your device — it stays the same until you change it yourself.

Can I break my internet connection by changing my IP address?

Yes, if you enter an incorrect default gateway or choose an IP address that is already in use by another device. If that happens, go back to the TCP/IPv4 settings and select “Obtain an IP address automatically” to restore DHCP.

Is it safe to use Google DNS instead of my router’s DNS?

Yes. Google’s DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) are widely used and generally faster than most ISP-provided DNS servers. They are a safe and reliable choice for home networks.

Does changing my local IP address hide me from websites?

No. Changing your local IP only affects your address within your home network. Websites see your public IP address, which is assigned by your ISP. To mask your public IP, you need a VPN like ProtonVPN.