networking - How do I set a static IP address in Windows?

If I do not have access to the router / DHCP server to create a static reservation (i.e. asking the router / DHCP server to set aside a specific IP address when a certain MAC address requests it), how can I set my Windows 7 workstation to have a static IPv4 address?

Answer

1. Click on Start, then Control Panel


2. Choose Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center (or just Network and Sharing Center)


3. Click Change Adapter Settings on the left


4. Find the network adapter (NIC) that you are currently connecting with. Right-click it and click Properties (requires Admin access)


5. Choose Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and choose Properties


6. Choose the option to Use the following IP address: and fill in the blanks for your network.


7. Click OK, and close the next window. Verify you can access the Internet.

You will now have the IP Address always set to this address. Because it is getting set to whatever was found below, once your computers find the new address, it will remember it. Your router (more specifically, the DNS Service) will match the name with the IP Address, and HomeGroups are built to just know (using IPv6, usually).

1. Click on Start, type cmd and press Enter to bring up the Command Prompt.


2. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter


3. 
   

   Check for the following items:

   
   

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.xxx
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.xxx
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.xxx
   

   
   

   Your screen will output different numbers. Keep the information handy, and put them into the dialog above.

   
   


4. 
   

   Type exit and press Enter to exit.