How to Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a set of protocols that define how your PC communicates with other PCs. It ensures data is transmitted or received over a network accurately and efficiently. We can configure TCP IP settings in Windows either using automated Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or manually. If we use DHCP, our TCP/IP settings will automatically change when we move our PC. However, if we use static IP settings, we’ll need to manually update these configurations when moving to a new location.

In this tutorial, we’ll discuss how to configure TCP/IP settings in Windows using automated DHCP or manually using a static IP address.

Method 1: Configuring TCP/IP Settings in Windows Automatically

The easiest way to configure TCP/IP settings on Windows is to use the automated Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Specifically, if you choose the Automatic (DHCP) option, your network settings will be managed automatically. DHCP enables the router or network access point to assign an IP address and DNS settings without manual input. This option is recommended for most users as it makes setup easier by managing network settings automatically.

Open Network & Internet Settings

Open the Start menu, enter “settings” in the search bar, and choose the Settings app from the results:

Now select the “Network & Internet” settings:

Choose Network Type

Next, select a network type, i.e., Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your network connection. In our case, we are using WiFi, so we choose the WiFi option:

Next, choose “Manage known networks” to handle network settings:

Select the network for which you want to update the settings. For example, we want to change the network settings for Anees Asghar, so we choose the network accordingly:

Note: If you’re using an Ethernet connection, click on Ethernet and then select the network you’re connected to.

Edit IP Assignment Settings

Scroll down to find IP Assignment and click the “Edit” button next to it:

Set IP Address Automatically

You can select Automatic (DHCP) or Manual in IP assignment settings, as shown in the following screenshot. We select Automatic (DHCP) to configure TCP/IP settings automatically:

After selecting the Automatic (DHCP) settings, hit the Save button to apply changes:

Method 2: Configuring TCP/IP Settings in Windows Manually

If your system doesn’t support Automatic (DHCP) or you’re encountering issues while configuring TCP/IP settings automatically, you can set them up manually. For this, you’ll need to manually enter the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address. This method is recommended for users who want more control over their network configuration or are working in a network with static IP addresses.

Note: The first three steps are the same as those discussed in the method above. After this, follow the below stated steps:

Manually Configure DNS Server

In the network IP settings, select Manual, and then enable either IPv4 or IPv6 according to your preference:

Now specify the IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway in the respective fields:

Note: You can find your IP address in Windows using several ways, such as CMD, online tools, nslookup command, etc.

Configure DNS Server

You can also set up the DNS server within the IP address settings. To do this, scroll down a bit and enter the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS server addresses into the respective fields:

Configure DNS over HTTPS (Optional)

You can set up DNS over HTTPS (DoH) if you want. To do this, turn on DNS over HTTPS for secure DNS requests and choose either automatic or manual settings:

Set Fallback for DNS Queries

If you’re using DNS over HTTPS (automatic or manual), you can choose whether to enable or disable Fallback to plaintext:

• If it’s turned on, your DNS request will be sent without encryption if HTTPS isn’t available.
• If it’s turned off, your DNS request won’t be sent at all if HTTPS isn’t available.

Save Changes

Once you are done with all the configurations, hit the Save button to apply the changes:

This is how you can configure TCP IP settings in Windows.

Conclusion

You can Configure TCP/IP settings in Windows either automatically using DHCP or manually with static IP settings. DHCP simplifies the process by automatically managing IP and DNS settings. This method is ideal for most users because it requires less manual effort. On the other hand, if you need more control or have a network with static IP addresses, you can configure the settings manually. This method involves manually entering the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address. In this tutorial, we covered both methods of configuring TCP/IP settings in Windows.

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