How to Change Your IP Address on Windows
Changing your IP address on Windows can mean renewing your private IP from your router, setting a static private IP for port forwarding, or replacing your public IP by using a VPN. Each scenario uses a different method. This guide covers all three approaches for Windows 10 and 11.
Method 1 - Renew Your Private IP via DHCP (Command Prompt)
| Step | Command | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Command Prompt as Administrator | Required to run network commands |
| 2 | ipconfig /release | Releases your current DHCP lease - Disconnects you from the network momentarily |
| 3 | ipconfig /renew | Requests a new DHCP lease from your router - May get a new private IP |
| 4 | ipconfig /flushdns | Clears DNS cache - Good practice after renewing |
Method 2 - Set a Static Private IP in Windows Settings
Go to Settings → Network & Internet → select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) → Properties (or Edit). Under IP assignment, click Edit → change to Manual → toggle IPv4 on. Enter your chosen IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.150 - Must be in the same subnet as your router but outside its DHCP range), subnet mask (255.255.255.0), and gateway (your router's IP). Click Save. Your private IP is now fixed and will not change on reconnect.
Method 3 - Change Your Public IP with a VPN
A VPN replaces your public IP - The one websites see - With the VPN server's IP address. Download a VPN client (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN), install it, sign in, and connect to a server. All outbound traffic will use the VPN server's IP. To verify, visit whatsmyipnow.com before and after connecting.
Important Notes
ipconfig /releaseand/renewonly change your private IP - Your public IP is controlled by your ISP and requires a router restart or VPN to change.- To change your public IP without a VPN, you can try restarting your router and waiting - Some ISPs issue a new public IP on reconnect, though many ISPs now use sticky DHCP leases.
- Setting a static IP in Windows only affects that machine - Your router's DHCP pool is unchanged.
- IPv6 addresses (if assigned) are not affected by ipconfig /release on most systems - Use your VPN's IPv6 leak protection to mask IPv6 as well.
- After any IP change, run a VPN leak test to confirm no leaks are present.