Setting a static IPv4 address in Windows keeps a device reachable at a predictable address for tasks like Remote Desktop, file sharing, and device management. Unlike dynamic assignment, the address stays fixed across reboots and reconnects, which helps when clients, firewall rules, port forwards, or monitoring depend on a consistent endpoint.

Windows applies IP settings per network adapter. When Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is configured manually, the adapter stops requesting an address via DHCP and instead uses the entered IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway, and DNS servers to build routes and perform name resolution.

Incorrect values (especially the gateway, subnet mask, or an address that conflicts with another host) can break network access immediately. Record the current settings and choose an unused address in the same subnet but outside the router’s DHCP pool; on managed networks, confirm the correct values with the network administrator. A router-side DHCP reservation is an alternative when a fixed address is needed without manual client configuration, and IPv6 uses separate settings.

Related: How to check IP address in Windows
Related: How to change DNS servers in Windows

Steps to configure a static IP address on Windows:

  1. Open the Run dialog using <Windows + R>.
  2. Enter ncpa.cpl in the Run dialog.
  3. Press Enter to open Network Connections.
  4. Right-click the target Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter.
  5. Select Properties.
  6. Approve the User Account Control prompt.

    Administrator privileges may be required to change adapter IP settings.

  7. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  8. Click Properties.
  9. Select Use the following IP address.

    Select an unused address in the same subnet and outside the router’s DHCP pool to avoid conflicts.

  10. Enter the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway values. 
    IP address: 192.168.1.100
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1

    The Default gateway is typically the router address on the local subnet.

  11. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
  12. Enter the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server values. 
    Preferred DNS server: 192.168.1.1
Alternate DNS server: 1.1.1.1

    Use the network-provided DNS servers for internal domains; public resolvers can break private name resolution on some networks.

  13. Click OK to save the IPv4 settings.

    Incorrect settings can drop network access immediately, including active Remote Desktop sessions, until reverted to Obtain an IP address automatically.

  14. Click Close to exit the adapter properties window.
  15. Launch Command Prompt.
  16. Run ipconfig /all to confirm the adapter shows the static IPv4 address with DHCP Enabled set to No. 
    C:\>ipconfig /all

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Ethernet Connection
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-15-5D-01-02-03
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
                                       1.1.1.1
##### snipped #####

    DHCP Enabled set to No indicates the adapter is no longer using DHCP for IPv4.

  17. Run ping 192.168.1.1 to confirm the default gateway responds. 
    C:\>ping 192.168.1.1

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time&lt;1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time&lt;1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time&lt;1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time&lt;1ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

    Replace 192.168.1.1 with the configured Default gateway value.