How to Change your IP Address (Windows)

Steps

Windows XP

1. 1
   Click on "Start" in the bottom left hand corner of screen.
   
   
2. 2
   Click on "Run"
3. 3
   Type in "CMD" and hit Okay. You should now be at an MSDOS prompt screen.
4. 4
   Type "ipconfig /release" and hit "Enter." This will disable your Internet connection. To undo it, type "ipconfig /renew."
5. 5
   Type "exit" and leave the prompt.
6. 6
   Right-click on "Network Places" or "My Network Places" on your desktop.
7. 7
   Click on "Properties." You should now be on a screen with something titled "Local Area Connection," (or something close to that) and all of your other networks (if you have a network hooked up).
8. 8
   Right-click on "Local Area Connection" and click "Properties."
9. 9
   Double-click on the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list under the "General" tab.
10. 10
    Click on "Use the following IP address" under the "General" tab.
11. 11
    Create an IP address. Note: it doesn't matter what it is.
12. 12
    Press "Tab" and it should automatically fill in the "Subnet Mask" section with default numbers.
13. 13
    Click the "OK" button.
14. 14
    Click the "OK" button. You should now be back to the "Local Area Connection" screen.
15. 15
    Right-click back on "Local Area Connection" and go to properties again.
16. 16
    Go back to the "TCP/IP" settings.
17. 17
    Select "Obtain an IP address automatically."
18. 18
    Click the "OK" button.
19. 19
    Click the "OK" button (when it pops up again). You now have a new IP address.
    • Coda: Most of the time, these steps will work perfectly. But you have to be prepared for some irregularities.
    • If you are using a router, for example, you may need to make changes to your router settings before obtaining the new automatic IP change. Otherwise it will automatically reset to the same IP address.

Windows Vista

Note: In Windows Vista the "My network places" has been renamed to "Network and sharing center," which can be accessed via the Control panel.

1. 1
   Click "Start."
2. 2
   Click on/point at "All Programs." Expand the Accessories menu.
3. 3
   In the Accessories menu, Right-click "Command Prompt" and click on "Run as..."
4. 4
   Choose "Administrator."
5. 5
   Click "OK."
6. 6
   Type "ipconfig /release" and hit enter. This will disable your Internet connection. To undo, type "ipconfig/renew."
7. 7
   Click "Start," "Control Panel," and open "Network and Sharing Center." Depending on your view, you may have to click "Network" and "Internet" before you see the Network and Sharing Center icon.
8. 8
   From the Tasks menu on the left, choose "Manage Network Connections."
9. 9
   Find and Right-click on the active "Local Area Connection" and choose "Properties." (If you’re hit with a user account control (UAC) prompt, choose "Continue").
10. 10
    Double-click on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
11. 11
    Click on "Use the following IP address."
12. 12
    Enter a false IP (for example, something like this: 123.123.123.123).
13. 13
    Press Tab and the "Subnet Mask" section will populate with default numbers.
14. 14
    Hit "OK" twice.
15. 15
    Right-click the active "Local Area Connection" again and choose "Properties."
16. 16
    Double-click on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
17. 17
    Choose "Obtain an IP address automatically."
18. 18
    Hit "OK" twice.
19. 19
    Go to knowmyip.com to see if you have a new IP address.