How to Assign IP Address in Windows

By default, most computers and devices on the network get their IP addresses via DHCP. 

DHCP is essentialy a system whereby a host, like a router or server, gives out IP addresses to devices so that they can interact with the host and with each other over the network.

Each device on the network has to have a special IP address. The IP address for a device may change over time depending on several factors. This usually doesn't cause any problem, but there are situations where a static IP address is involved.

For example, if your computer is being used as a media server in your home, you might want the IP address to remain the same if you have to connect to the computer via its IP address. In other instances, you need to change the IP address to match the subnet of another device so that you can connect and design it. There are two ways to set a static IP address on a device.

The benefit to this method is that all the changes are being made in one location, so it’s easy to see which devices have static IP addresses and what the addresses are. Also, you can easily assign static IP addresses to Windows, Mac, Linux machines or any other device easily.

The impediment to this method is that it requires logging into your router, which isn't the easiest thing to do for some non-techie folks. Secondly, figuring out how to assign static IP addresses on routers can be complicated and there is no one way to do it.

The other way to assign a static IP address is to change the settings on the device itself. The benefit  there is that the process is a little bit more straight-forward, but the hindrance is that each device might have a different method for assigning a static IP.

Any of these method will work, so choose whichever option is more suitable or appropraite. This article will explain the second method, but only for Windows and OS X.

Assign Static IP Address – Windows

The next procedure will work for Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10. The first thing we want to do is to open the Network and Sharing Center. You can do that by clicking on the Start button and typing in network and sharing.

In the Network and Sharing Center window, click on Change adapter settings on the left-hand side.

This will open the Network Connections window where you will see a list of all physical and virtual network devices. you will want to right-click on the network connection that is currently being used to connect the computer to the network and choose Properties. If it’s WiFi, use Wireless Network Connection. If you are connecting via cable, use Ethernet.

Now click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to choose it and then click on Properties again.

Finally, this will bring you to the settings screen where you can assign a static IP address.

You’ll select the Use the following IP address radio button and then type in the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway. By default, when you type in the IP address, it fills out the subnet mask for you. The Default gateway and Preferred DNS server should both be set to the IP address of your router.

You would also check the Validate settings upon exit box to make sure that the new values will work on your network. Click OK and your computer will now have a static IP address assigned to it.

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