How To Set Ipv4 As Preferred Windows 10

On Windows 10, setting a static IP address to a computer is an essential configuration you may need to configure in many scenarios. For instance, if you plan to share files, a printer on a local network, or configure port forwarding.

If you do not assign a static IP address, services or a port forwarding configuration will eventually stop working. The reason is that, by default, connected devices use dynamic IP addresses assigned by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server (usually the router), which can change at any time, as soon as you restart the machine, or after the dynamically assigned configuration expires.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to set a static IP (version 4) address to a Windows 10 device when providing a service on the network or simply configuring port forwarding to your device on the router. (You can also configure your router to assign a static IP address using the DHCP settings.)

How to assign static IP address using Command Prompt
How to assign static IP address using Control Panel
How to assign static IP address using PowerShell
How to assign static IP address using Settings

How to assign static IP address using Command Prompt

Although using commands may be challenging for some users, this is one of the quickest ways to assign a static IP address on Windows 10.

Use these steps to set a static IP address on Windows 10 using Command Prompt:

Open Start on Windows 10.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to see your current networking configuration and press Enter:
```
ipconfig /all
```
Under the network adapter, note the name of the adapter as well as the following information in these fields:
- IPv4
- Subnet mask
- Default Gateway
- DNS Servers
Windows 10 ipconfig command
Type the following command to assign a static IP address on Windows 10 and press Enter:
```
netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet0" static 10.1.2.220 255.255.255.0 10.1.2.1
```
In the above command, replace Ethernet0 with the name of your network adapter. Change 10.1.2.220 255.255.255.0 10.1.2.1 with the device IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway address that corresponds to your network configuration.
Type the following command to set a DNS server address and press Enter:
```
netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet0" static 10.1.2.1
```
In the command, make sure to change Ethernet0 with your adapter's name and 10.1.2.1 with the DNS server address of the network.
Type the following command to set an alternate DNS server address and press Enter:
```
netsh interface ip add dns name="Ethernet0" 8.8.8.8 index=2
```
In the command, replace Ethernet0 with your adapter's name and 8.8.8.8 with an alternate DNS server address.

Windows 10 netsh command to set static IP address

After you complete the steps, you can test the new configuration using the ping command (for example ping google.com) to see if the internet is working. Alternatively, you can open a website to see if the configuration works.

Microsoft is in the process of retiring netsh from Windows 10. As a result, you should start using the "NetTCPIP" networking module available in PowerShell instead.

How to assign static IP address using Control Panel

If Command Prompt is not for you, it is possible to use Control Panel to change the IP settings on Windows 10.

Use these steps to assign a static IP configuration using Control Panel:

Open Control Panel.
Click on Network and Internet.
Click onNetwork and Sharing Center.
Click the Change adapter settings option on the left navigation pane.

Control Panel Network and Sharing Center
Right-click the network adapter and select the Properties option.
Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option.
Click the Properties button.

Control Panel's network adapter properties
Select the Use the following IP address option.
Assign the static IP address – for example, 10.1.2.220.
Specify a Subnet mask. Usually, on a home network, the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.
Specify a Default gateway. (Typically, your router's IP address – for example, 10.1.2.1.)
Under the "Use the following DNS server addresses set Preferred DNS server" section, set the Preferred DNS server address, which is usually your router's IP address or server IP address providing DNS resolutions (for example, 10.1.2.1).
(Optional) Specify an Alternative DNS server, which the computer will use if it cannot reach the preferred DNS server.
Click the OK button.

Windows 10 network adapter TCP/IPv4 properties
Click the Close button again.

Once you complete the steps, you can open your web browser and load a website to see if the configuration is working.

How to assign static IP address using PowerShell

Windows 10 also includes the PowerShell command line platform that allows you to use the "NetTCPIP" module to manage networking settings, including the ability to change the IP address settings of your computer.

To set a static IP address with PowerShell, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to view your current network configuration and press Enter:
```
Get-NetIPConfiguration
```
After running the command, note the following information:
- InterfaceIndex
- IPv4Address
- IPv4DefaultGateway
- DNSServer
PowerShell Get-NetIPConfiguration command
Type the following command to set a static IP address and press Enter:
```
New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceIndex 4 -IPAddress 10.1.2.220 -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway 10.1.2.1
```
PowerShell New-NetIPAddress command

In the command, replace the InterfaceIndex number (4) with the corresponding number of your adapter. Change IPAddress with the static IP address you want to assign to your device. Only if necessary, change PrefixLength (subnet mask) with the correct bit number. Typically on a home network, the setting is 24. Also, change the DefaultGateway option with the default gateway address of the network.
Type the following command to assign a DNS server address and press Enter:
```
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 4 -ServerAddresses 10.1.2.1
```
PowerShell Set-DNSClientServerAddress command

If you need to set a secondary DNS server address, use a comma to use the same command with another address. For example:
```
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 4 -ServerAddresses 10.1.2.1, 8.8.8.8
```
In the command, replace the InterfaceIndex number (4) with your network adapter's corresponding number. Also, change ServerAddresses with the DNS IP address.

After you complete the steps, you can test the new configuration by opening your web browser and navigating to a website.

How to assign static IP address using Settings

On Windows 10, you can also change the IP address settings using the Settings app for wireless and wired adapters.

Assign static IP address for Wi-Fi adapter

To assign a static IP address configuration to a Wi-Fi adapter, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Network & Internet.
Click on Wi-Fi.
Click on the current network connection.

Wi-Fi settings
Under the "IP settings" section, click the Edit button.

Wi-Fi IP settings on Windows 10
Using the drop-down menu, select the Manual option.

Wi-Fi static IP option
Turn on the IPv4 toggle switch.

Wi-Fi edit IP address settings
Set a static IP address to use by the Windows 10 computer.
Specify a Subnet prefix length (subnet mask). If the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, then the subnet prefix length in bits is 24.
Specify a Default Gateway address.
Specify a Preferred DNS address.
Specify an Alternate DNS address (if applicable).
Click the Save button.

Wi-Fi TCP/IPv4 static configuration

Once you complete the steps, you can test your settings using your web browser to open a website.

Assign static IP address for Ethernet adapter

To assign a static IP address configuration to an Ethernet (wired) adapter, use these steps:

Important: The ability to change networking protocol settings on an Ethernet adapter is available starting with Windows 10 version 1903, May 2019 Update, and later releases.

Open Settings.
Click on Network & Internet.
Click on Ethernet.
Click on the current network connection.

Ethernet settings
Under the "IP settings" section, click the Edit button.

Ethernet IP settings on Windows 10
Using the drop-down menu, select the Manual option.

Ethernet static IP option
Turn on the IPv4 toggle switch.

Ethernet edit IP address settings
Set the static IP address.
Specify the Subnet prefix length (subnet mask). If your subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, then the subnet prefix length in bits is 24.
Specify the Default Gateway address.
Specify the Preferred DNS address.
Specify the Alternate DNS address (if applicable).
Click the Save button.

Ethernet TCP/IPv4 static configuration

After you complete the steps, you can test your settings using your web browser to open a website.

Whatever method you use, it is recommended to assign an IP address within the network range and outside of the DHCP server scope to allow proper connectivity and avoid address conflicts. Since multiple devices sharing the same address will cause a networking conflict that will prevent them from connecting to the internet.

We focus this guide on Windows 10, but you can use the Command Prompt and Control Panel methods on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

Update November 19, 2021: This guide was originally published in September 2017, and it has been updated to reflect the new changes available on Windows 10.