Guide to Understanding and Obtaining Your IP Address

Uncovering Your Mysterious IP Address on Windows

Your IP address acts like an identification number for your device. Knowing it comes in handy when configuring devices or troubleshooting network issues. But for many Windows users, locating this elusive address remains shrouded in mystery. Let’s shed some light on how to find your IP address on Windows.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network or the internet. It allows devices to communicate with each other.

There are two types of IP addresses in play:

• Public IP address– Also called external IP address. This is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and allows your device to communicate with others on the internet. It can be seen publicly.

• Private IP address– Also known as internal or local IP address. This is assigned by your router and allows devices on your home network to communicate with each other. It cannot be seen publicly on the internet.

  What is ipconfig in Windows 10?

  In Windows, ipconfig is a console application designed to run from the Windows command prompt. This utility allows you to get the IP address information of a Windows computer. It also allows some control over your network adapters, IP addresses (DHCP-assigned specifically), even your DNS cache. I pconfig replaced the older winipcfg utility.

  How do I find a network adapter on Windows 10?

  Open the Command Prompt. To open the command prompt, click the Windows Start menu and type CMD. Then click Command Prompt . Type ipconfig and press ↵ Enter. This will display your network connection information. Find your active network adapter.

Knowing both your public and private IP address proves useful when port forwarding, configuring VPNs, viewing device connections, and troubleshooting network issues.

Ways to Find Your IP Address

Finding your public IP address is straightforward. But locating your private IP address takes a bit more digging. Here are 5 ways to uncover both:

1. Use an Online IP Lookup Tool

To find your public IP address from any device:

• Open a web browser and search "What is my IP address." Google will display your current public IP near the top of results.

• Alternatively visit sites like WhatIsMyIPAddress {:target="_blank"} that reveal your public IP address.

These tools also share your geolocation and ISP details.

2. Check Your Router Admin Panel

Your router’s admin panel or gateway page displays your public IP address. Here’s how to find it:

• Login to your router’s admin panel by typing the router’s IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) into your browser.

• Consult your router’s manual for the exact address and login details which vary by model.

  How do I Find my internet connection on Windows 10?

  In the Control Panel, you can click on the Network and Internet category and then click on Network and Sharing Center. If you are in icon view, just click directly on Network and Sharing Center. The first thing you’ll see when you open the Network and Sharing Center is your current connection to the network and to the Internet.

  How do I enable internet connection in Windows 10?

  In Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista, select Network & Internet. Alternatively, you can right-click the internet icon in the taskbar (next to the clock) and select Open Network & Internet settings . In Windows XP, change to Category view, select Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections, then skip to Step 4.

• Once logged in, locate the internet, status or WAN page to find your public IP address.

Your router could show both public and private IP addresses for connected devices here too.

3. Use Command Prompt

To find your private IP address on Windows:

• Typecmdin the search bar and open Command Prompt.

• Typeipconfigand hit enter.

• Locate theIPv4 Addressline under your network adapter. This shows your private IP address.

Tip: Runningipconfig /alldisplays extensive connection details.

4. Check Network Settings

You can also find your private IP address in Windows network settings:

• Open settings and go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.

• Click on your connected network and scroll to view your current IP address.

Similarly, those on ethernet can go to Ethernet > Network Properties.

5. Use Third-Party Tools

For advanced IP address lookups, tools like IP Location {:target="_blank"} let you input any IP address to pull up its full geolocation, ISP, and hostname details.

How do I understand an IP address?

To understand an IP address, it’s important to learn what IP is in the first place. Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of governing rules for data packets, data format, or datagram sent through a local network or the internet. It is a connectionless and datagram-oriented protocol as it works on a dynamic computer network.

How do I re-enable a network connection in Windows 10?

Disabling and re-enabling network connections is done through Control Panel . Open Control Panel . In Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista, select Network & Internet. Alternatively, you can right-click the internet icon in the taskbar (next to the clock) and select Open Network & Internet settings .

This helps identify any suspicious IPs connecting to your network.

Internal vs External IP Addresses

To recap the key differences:

• Internal IP address– Private address used locally on your home network. Starts with 192.168.X.X.

• External IP address– Public address used to communicate on the internet. Assigned by your ISP.

Your router bridges these two addressing systems using Network Address Translation (NAT).

Now that you know where to look, you can quickly find both your public and private IP addresses on Windows. Referring to this handy guide can help whenever you need to view IP address details for networking, security, or troubleshooting needs.

Learn Even More About IP Addresses

Now that you can easily find your IP address on Windows, here are some suggestions for applying this knowledge:

• Set up port forwarding rules for gaming, web servers, or remote access.

  How do I access network & Internet settings on Windows 10?

  Unlike the other settings categories, there are two easy ways to access the Networks & Internet tab. You can access it through the Settings menu ( Start > Settings > Network & Internet ), or you can access it by clicking the network icon in the system tray and clicking Network settings.

  Where is network & Internet on Windows 10?

  When you open the Settings app (Windows key + I), Network & Internet is located between Devices and Personalization. Inside you can manage your computer’s Wi-Fi and Ethernet network adapters, turn on or off airplane mode, set up a VPN connection, and much more. In this guide, you’ll get an overview of the Network & Internet settings on Windows 10.

  How do I Find my IPv4 address?

  Go to Settings > Network & Internet. Then select either Wi-Fi or Ethernet (depending on how the device connects). In this example, I’m connected to Ethernet. Then select the Ethernet Connected icon. Scroll down to the Properties section, and you’ll see your IPV4 address information. Finding your Wi-Fi IP address is a bit different.

• Monitor IP addresses connecting to your network to detect suspicious activity.

• Change your dynamic IP to a static IP for hosting web services.

• Troubleshoot internet connectivity or speed issues.

• Optimize network configurations for improved performance.

• Understand how IP addresses work to boost general networking knowledge.

Finding and utilizing your IP address unlocks many possibilities. We hope these tips gave you a helpful starting point. Let us know if you have any other IP address uses or questions in the comments!

References

1. https://geekflare.com/understanding-ip-address/
2. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-find-ip-address

How do I Find my IP address on Windows 10?

Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi and then select the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to. Under Properties, look for your IP address listed next to IPv4 address. Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet. Under Properties, look for your IP address listed next to IPv4 address. Need more help? Want more options?

How does a computer network use an IP address?

Your computer network uses the IP address to communicate with other computers, websites, and all parts of cyberspace. Essentially, IP addresses are how computers on the internet recognize one another. Your internet service provider (ISP) assigns IP addresses to your internet-connected devices, and every IP address is unique.