Using the Control Panel tool to change your IP address isn’t hard, but you do have to click through a number of different windows and dialog boxes. But if you like the Command Prompt, you can do it faster by using the netsh command, one of the many great network apps that come with Windows.
Launch Command Prompt as Admin to Use Netsh
We’ll use the netsh tool, which needs tool Prompt to be opened as an administrator for it to work. The netsh command in Windows lets you change almost every part of your network links.
To run Command Prompt (or PowerShell) as Admin, open the Start menu, look for “cmd,” hover over the result, and then click “Run as Administrator.”
You can also right-click the Start menu or press Windows+X on your computer to open the Power User Menu and select “PowerShell (Admin)” in Windows 10 or Windows 11.
View Your Network Information with Command Prompt
Before you can change your IP address and other related information, you’ll need to find the full name of the network for the device you want to change. Type the following instructions to do this:
netsh interface ipv4 show config
Keep scrolling down until you find the layout you want. In our case, we’ll change the Wi-Fi interface, which on our computer is simply called “Wi-Fi.” Windows gives ports other names by default, like “Local Area Connection,” “Local Area Connection* 2,” and “Ethernet.” Just look for the one you want and write down the exact name. To make things easier, you can also copy and paste the name into Notepad and then back into Command Prompt.
Change Your IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway
With the interface name in hand, you can 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 are using a static IP address but want to switch to an IP address that is automatically given by a DHCP server, like your router, you can use the following command:
netsh interface ipv4 set address name="YOUR INTERFACE NAME" source=dhcp
Change Your DNS Settings in Command Prompt
You can also change a network interface’s DNS servers with the netsh tool. DNS servers from companies other than your ISP, like Google Public DNS and OpenDNS, can be faster and more secure. No matter why you want to change your DNS server, you can do it at the router or on each individual device. If you do it at the router, the change will affect all the devices that get their information. With the netsh tool, it’s easy to change the DNS servers for just one PC.
You’ll need to use the command twice: once to set your main DNS server and again to set your secondary, or backup, DNS server. Use the following code to set your main DNS server:
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 change it so that the network interface immediately gets its DNS settings from a DHCP server instead. Just type in the following:
netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers name"YOUR INTERFACE NAME" source=dhcp
And that’s the end of it. Whether you prefer working at the command prompt or just want to show off to your coworkers, you now know how to change your IP address settings with command line magic.
Here’s a 3-paragraph conclusion related to this content:
Conclusion
The netsh command-line tool represents a powerful and efficient alternative to the traditional graphical Control Panel method for managing network settings in Windows. While both approaches accomplish the same goals, Netsh offers significant advantages for users who are comfortable working in the Command Prompt environment. Its streamlined command structure eliminates the need to navigate through multiple windows and dialog boxes, making it particularly valuable for IT professionals, system administrators, and power users who need to configure network settings quickly and repeatedly. The ability to script these commands also opens up possibilities for automation and batch configuration across multiple machines.
IP address and DNS configuration empower users with greater control over their network connections. Whether you need to set a static IP address for a server, switch between static and DHCP configurations, or optimize your internet experience by using faster DNS servers like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS, netsh provides a straightforward command-line solution. The tool’s syntax is logical and consistent, requiring only the interface name and the desired settings to make changes. This consistency makes it easy to learn and remember the commands, even for those who might not use them daily.
Ultimately, mastering netsh commands is a valuable skill that enhances your ability to troubleshoot network issues, optimize connection settings, and work more efficiently with Windows networking. While the Control Panel GUI remains accessible for occasional users, the command-line approach offers speed, precision, and the satisfaction of managing your system at a deeper level. Whether you’re configuring a single computer or managing multiple devices, netsh provides the flexibility and power to handle network configuration tasks with professional efficiency, making it an essential tool in any Windows user’s technical toolkit.
FAQs
Q: Do I need administrator privileges to change IP settings with netsh?
Yes, you must run Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator to use netsh commands for changing network settings. You can do this by right-clicking on Command Prompt and selecting “Run as Administrator” or by pressing Windows+X and selecting the admin option.
Q: How do I find the exact name of my network interface?
Use the command netsh interface ipv4 show config to view all network interfaces and their current configurations. Look for your interface (like “Wi-Fi,” “Ethernet,” or “Local Area Connection”) and note the exact name, as you’ll need it for subsequent commands.
Q: Can I switch back to automatic IP settings (DHCP) after setting a static IP?
Yes, you can easily revert to DHCP by using the command netsh interface ipv4 set address name="YOUR INTERFACE NAME" source=dhcp. This will make your computer automatically obtain IP settings from your router or DHCP server.
Q: Why would I need to change my DNS servers using netsh?
Changing DNS servers can provide faster internet speeds, improved security, and better reliability. Popular alternatives to your ISP’s DNS include Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and OpenDNS, which can be configured using netsh commands.
Q: What’s the difference between changing IP settings via netsh versus the Control Panel?
Both methods achieve the same result, but netsh is faster and more efficient for users comfortable with the command line. It’s particularly useful for IT professionals, scripting automated configurations, or quickly making changes without clicking through multiple windows.
