Changing Your IP Address on Windows is as Simple as Eating a Piece of Cake. Here’s How
For your windows or any other device to connect to a network it needs to have an IP address which uniquely identifies the device. Networks can be categorized into wide area (WAN’s) or short area (LAN’s).
In detail, an example of a wide area network is the internet which connects in a wide area. Local area networks on the other hand, connect with devices within a small area like an office, school, or a business. Local area networks help devices connected to them connect to the internet via a router or modem.
Fortunately, when connecting to the internet using LAN’s no one can see your IP address directly. This is because the visible IP address is that of your router or modem that is provided by your internet service provider. So, this can get one thinking whether or not it is necessary to change their device’s IP address if it cannot be seen by others on the internet.
Here is Why You should Change your Windows 10 or 11’s Local IP Address
Router or modems dynamically allocated IP addresses to devices. This means that every time you disconnect from the network and then connect back, the router again allocates you a new IP address through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol system. This means that if other devices connecting to your windows device relied on the first IP address before disconnecting from the internet would have difficulty connecting with your windows device again.
To solve this problem, it is advised that you set a static local IP address. This will help your router configure one IP address to your Windows device meaning that if you disconnect and connect to the router the IP address will still remain the same.
Steps to Changing Your IP Address on Windows 10
1. To Changing Your IP Address to your windows 10 device you are required to access the Settings page.
2. Then, proceed to, Network and Settings.
3. Select the Internet Connection Section Wi-Fi/Ethernet) and click on Properties
4. Proceed to IP Settings ->IP assignment -> Edit
5. You should now edit from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
6. Ensure that the T IPv4 is turned on.
7. Proceed to IP settings and fill in the details.
8. You can assign your local IP address from the IP ranges given which are, 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255.
9. The Subnet prefix length should be 24
10. Gateway option should be the address of router or modem
11. Preferred DNS – enter the IP address of a DNS service
12. Success!!
Steps to Changing Your IP Address on Windows 11
1. Go to Setting on your Windows 11 device.
2. Proceed to Network & Internet and select your network interface whether Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
3. If you are connected using the Ethernet select the IP assignment then Edit.
4. For those connected via Wi-Fi you can click on Hardware Properties -> IP assignment -> Edit.
5. You should now edit from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
6. Ensure that the T IPv4 is turned on.
7. Proceed to IP settings and fill in the details.
8. You can assign your local IP address from the IP ranges given which are, 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255.
9. The Subnet prefix length should be 24
10. Gateway option should be the address of router or modem
11. Preferred DNS – enter the IP address of a DNS service
12. Success!!
Troubleshooting
If after making these changes then your Windows device can not connect to the internet then it is advisable to troubleshoot it for the following reasons:
1. Check to see if there are any two devices connected to the router using the same IP address and change them manually using the above steps.
2. Ensure that you have the subnet mask. To confirm your subnet mask, go to Command Prompt, enter the command ‘ipconfig’, -> Ethernet or Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi and confirm your subnet mask.
Hide your IP Address on Window 10 or Windows 11 Using Proton VPN
1. Ensure you sign into a free Proton VPN account.
2. Download the Proton VPN app and install it.
3. You will log in to your proton VPN app using the account you created initially.
4. Go to quick connect in the app and let the app be the best server to connect to in your region, alternatively you can choose a country to connect to given a wide array of options on both the free and paid plans on the platform.
