How to Manually Set IP Address Windows 10 can be handled safely by first identifying the exact feature or application involved, then using its supported controls.
Steps
- Before changing anything, record the current IP address, subnet prefix/mask, gateway, and DNS values.
- Open the network adapter’s IP assignment settings and choose Manual for IPv4 or IPv6 only when the network requires a static configuration.
- Enter an unused address in the correct subnet, the router/default gateway, and valid DNS servers.
- Save, reconnect, and test the local gateway, DNS resolution, and internet access.
- Switch back to Automatic/DHCP if the manual values break connectivity.
What to know
A manually assigned address must fit the network’s addressing plan. Guessing an IP can create an address conflict, and the correct subnet/gateway cannot be inferred from a generic tutorial.
Important cautions
On business networks, obtain the address from the administrator. A DHCP reservation on the router/server is often easier to manage than configuring a static address directly on each PC. Windows 10 is beyond ordinary support.
Verify the result
Switch back to Automatic/DHCP if the manual values break connectivity. Afterward, confirm the change with a normal test before removing an original file, old configuration, recovery option, or working account that could be needed to undo the change.
Additional guidance
A useful first check is ipconfig /all before the change so you can record the DHCP-provided values. DNS can be set independently of the IP address in many configurations. If you only want a device to keep the same address, configuring a DHCP reservation on the router often avoids manual settings on the computer and reduces conflicts.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.