How to set a static IP address using Settings app on Windows 10

Setting up a static IP address configuration on Windows 10 is essential in many scenarios. For instance, when sharing files across the network, sharing a printer with other users, or when setting up a port forwarding — just to name a few.

Although when you connect a computer to a network, the DHCP server (home router) will provide the necessary settings to connect to the network, they’re dynamic (automatic) settings that can change as soon as you restart your machine or the lease on the configuration expires. When this happens, services may stop working for network users. A statically assigned IP configuration never changes and reduces the chances of problems with network services.

On Windows 10, there are many ways to set a static IP address, but starting with version 1903, May 2019 Update, you can update the network settings for Ethernet as well as for Wi-Fi adapters using the Settings app.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to assign a static IP address (version 4) using nothing more than the Settings app on Windows 10.

• How to assign static IP address for Ethernet adapter using Settings
• How to assign static IP address for Wi-Fi adapter using Settings
• How to check IP address is static or dynamic assignment using Settings

How to assign static IP address for Ethernet adapter using Settings

To set up a static IP address configuration for an Ethernet (wire) adapter using the Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Network & Internet.

3. Click on Ethernet.

4. Select the connection that you want to configure.

   

5. Under the “IP settings” section, click the Edit button.

   

6. Use the drop-down menu and select the Manual option.

7. Turn on the toggle switch for the version of the IP protocol you want to configure using a static configuration. (Usually, you want to select the IPv4 option.)

   

8. In the “IP address” field, enter the static IP address for the device. For example, 192.168.1.101.

9. In the “Subnet prefix length” field, enter the subnet mask length (not the subnet mask) for the network. For example, if your network uses a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, then you need to enter 24.

10. In the “Gateway” field, enter the IP address of the router. For example, 192.168.1.1.

11. In the “Preferred DNS” field, enter the IP address of the service that will translate domain names into IP addresses that your computer will understand. Usually, you need to enter the IP address of your router as this device will be able to forward request to the appropriate service. However, using the Settings app, you must specify the address of a DNS server. 

    Quick tip: You can use the DNS settings offered by your DNS service provider, or you can always set up custom DNS addresses to faster and more secure services, such as the one provided by Google and CloudFlare. In this guide, as an example, we’ll be using the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

12. In the “Alternate DNS” field, enter the second IP address for the DNS service.

    

13. Click the Save button.

Once you’ve completed the steps, your computer will start using the static TCP/IP configuration that you specified.

How to assign static IP address for Wi-Fi adapter using Settings

To set up a static IP address configuration for a Wi-Fi (wireless) adapter using the Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Network & Internet.

3. Click on Wi-Fi.

4. Select the connection that you want to configure.

   

5. Under the “IP settings” section, click the Edit button.

   

6. Use the drop-down menu and select the Manual option.

7. Turn on the toggle switch for the version of the IP protocol you want to configure using a static configuration. (Usually, you want to select the IPv4 option.)

   

8. In the “IP address” filed, enter the static IP address for the device. For example, 192.168.1.101.

9. In the “Subnet prefix length” field, enter the subnet mask length (not the subnet mask) for the network. For example, if your network uses a “subnet mask” of 255.255.255.0, then you need to enter 24.

10. In the “Gateway” field, enter the IP address of the router. For example, 192.168.1.1.

11. In the “Preferred DNS” field, enter the IP address of the service that will translate domain names into IP addresses that your computer will understand. Usually, you need to enter the IP address of your router as this device will be able to forward request to the appropriate service. However, using the Settings app, you must specify the address of a DNS server. 

    Quick tip: You can use the DNS settings offered by your DNS service provider, or you can always set up custom DNS addresses to faster and more secure services, such as the one provided by Google and CloudFlare. In this guide, as an example, we’ll be using the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

12. In the “Alternate DNS” field, enter the second IP address for the DNS service.

    

13. Click the Save button.

After completing the steps, the manual configuration will not change even if there’s a DHCP server leasing IP addresses in the network.

How to check if the IP address is static or dynamic assignment using Settings

To check if you configured the settings correctly, or to tell if your device is using static or dynamic settings, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Network & Internet.

3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

4. Select the network connection.

5. Under the “IP settings” section, you can check whether the device is using static (manual) or dynamic (automatic) IP address configuration.

   

Once you’ve completed the steps, you will know if your computer has been configured correctly.

Whatever you’re configuring, an Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter, it’s 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, because if two devices share the same IP address neither of them will be able to connect to the internet.

If you don’t see the option to edit the networking settings, it’s likely because you’re not using the version of Windows 10 that supports this feature. The ability to set a static IP address configuration for Ethernet adapters is available starting with the May 2019 Update and later versions.