No matter what your reason, changing your IP address is quick and easy.
Step 1
Click on "Start" in the bottom left hand corner of screen.
Step 2
Click on "Run".
Step 3
Type in "command" and hit Okay. You should now be at an MSDOS prompt screen.
Step 4
Type "ipconfig /release" and hit "Enter". This will disable your internet connection. To undo it, type "ipconfig /renew".
Step 5
Type "exit" and leave the prompt.
Step 6
Right-click on "Network Places" or "My Network Places" on your desktop.
Step 7
Click on "Properties". You should now be on a screen with something titled "Local Area Connection", or something close to that, and, if you have a network hooked up, all of your other networks.
Step 8
Right-click on "Local Area Connection" and click "Properties".
Step 9
Double-click on the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list under the "General" tab.
Step 10
Click on "Use the following IP address" under the "General" tab.
Step 11
Create an IP address. (It doesn't matter what it is.)
Step 12
Press "Tab" and it should automatically fill in the "Subnet Mask" section with default numbers.
Step 13
Click the "Ok" button.
Step 14
Click the "Ok" button. You should now be back to the "Local Area Connection" screen.
Step 15
Right-click back on "Local Area Connection" and go to properties again.
Step 16
Go back to the "TCP/IP" settings.
Step 17
Select "Obtain an IP address automatically".
Step 18
Click the "Ok" button.
Step 19
Click the "Ok" button.
Step 20
You now have a new IP address.
Tips
- In Windows Vista the "My network places" has been renamed to "Network and sharing center", which can be accessed in the Control panel.
Warnings
- This will only work if both your computer, and the network it is directly connected to, use Dynamic Host Control Protocal (DHCP). If you are using a router, and DHCP is enabled, the steps above will only affect the IP address your computer is using on the Local Area Network (LAN) between your computer and the first router "en route" to the Internet. To change the public IP you are using to connect to your service provider, you must instead change the IP address used by last IP address using (OSI Layer 3) device seperating the Internet from your computer.
