Configure Static IP Address, Static to Dynamic IP Address, and DNS Server on Windows 10
In Windows 10, configuring a static IP address is important in a number of ways. For example, if you want to share files on a printer or local network or when you want to configure port forwarding.
Because by default, devices connected to the network usually use a dynamic IP address (usually happens when you are connected to WiFi), where the IP will change when you restart the laptop or when the dynamic IP expires. By configuring a static IP address, you can ensure the consistency of the IP address on the device. The following is a static IP Address configuration.
Static IP Address Configuration
- Open Control Panel
- Navigate to Network and Internet then Network and Sharing Center
- On the left menu, select the option Change adapter settings
- On the network adapter, right click and select properties
- Double click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option
- Click the Use the following IP address option and enter the IP address according to the case you are facing (for example 192.168.1.7)
- The subnet mask (usually for local connection users is 255.255.255.0.
- The default gateway is usually the IP address used on the router. (eg 192.168.1.1)
- On the DNS server menu, click the Use the following DNS server addresses option and enter the Preferred DNS server address, which is usually the same IP address as the Default gateway.
- You can fill in the alternate DNS server as another option if you cannot connect to the main DNS server, for example, you can enter Google DNS (8.8.8.8). However, this is optional (that is, you can fill in, or not).
- Click OK to save changes
Configure IP Address from Static To Dynamic
Although using a static IP address is highly recommended for end-users because the configuration never changes. But if you want a variable IP configuration, then a Dynamic IP address can be an option.
If you are currently using a static IP address and want to change it to dynamic. Then you can do it easily, one of them is through the Control Panel. Here’s how to set the IP Address configuration from static to dynamic:
- Open Control Panel
- Navigate to Network and Internet then Network and Sharing Center.
- On the left pane, click the Change adapter settings . option
- Right-click on one of the network adapters that you are using (whether it’s a WiFi or Ethernet connection). Then click Properties.
- Double click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option
- Click the Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain the following DNS server address automatically options. If you have clicked the OK option.
- Click OK to save changes
DNS Server Configuration
Previously for those of you who don’t understand what DNS Server is. In short, DNS (Domain Name System) is a server that has a function to translate a website’s domain name to an IP address and vice versa. By using DNS, you can easily open a web page just by typing the name of the website without the need to enter the IP address of the website.
Back again to the initial discussion, when you are connected to the internet, by default you will use a DNS server from your ISP (Internet Service Provider), for example from MyRepublic, IndiHome, MNC Play, etc. But sometimes, DNS servers from ISPs experience slow responses, so it makes the web feel a little longer. To solve this problem, you can use an alternative 3rd party DNS server, for example using Google DNS or OpenDNS. Here is the configuration for the DNS Server.
- Open Control Panel
- Navigate to Network and Internet then Network and Sharing Center.
- On the left pane, click the Change adapter settings . option
- Right-click on one of the network adapters that you are using (whether it’s a WiFi or Ethernet connection). Then click Properties.
- Double click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option
- Then click the Use the following DNS server addresses option so that you can enter DNS manually, then enter the desired DNS server, for example, Google’s DNS Server. Once done, click OK to save the changes.
- Click OK to save changes
