On Windows 10, you can configure a network adapter to use a static IP address manually, or you can use an automatically assigned configuration using the local Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.
Although using a static IP address is recommended for devices that provide services to network users, as its configuration never changes, it may come a time when you may no longer need this configuration, and a dynamically assigned network configuration will be more suited.
If you use a static IP address and need to switch to a dynamic configuration, it’s possible to perform this task in several ways, including using the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and even PowerShell.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to remove a static IP address configuration to obtain a dynamic configuration from the DHCP server on Windows 10.
- Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Settings
- Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Command Prompt
- Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from PowerShell
- Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Control Panel
Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Settings
To enable DHCP to obtain a TCP/IP configuration automatically on Windows 10, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 10.
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Click on Network & Internet.
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Click on Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
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Click the network connection.
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Under the “IP settings” section, click the Edit button.
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Use the Edit IP settings drop-down menu and select the Automatic (DHCP) option.
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Click the Save button.
Once you complete the steps, the networking stack configuration will reset, and your device will request an IP address from the DHCP server (usually your router).
Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Command Prompt
To switch from a static TCP/IP configuration to a dynamically assigned configuration using DHCP with Command Prompt, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to note the name of the network adapter and press Enter
ipconfig
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Type the following command to configure the network adapter to obtain its TCP/IP configuration using DHCP and press Enter:
netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet1" dhcp
In the command, make sure to change “Ethernet1” for the adapter’s name that you want to configure.
After completing the steps, the network adapter will stop using a static IP address, and it’ll obtain a configuration automatically from the DHCP server.
Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from PowerShell
To remove a static IP and DNS addresses to use a dynamic configuration using PowerShell, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to note the “InterfaceIndex” number for the network adapter and press Enter:
Get-NetIPConfiguration
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Type the following command to enable the network adapter to obtain its TCP/IP configuration using DHCP and press Enter:
Get-NetAdapter -Name Ethernet1 | Set-NetIPInterface -Dhcp Enabled
In the command, make sure to change “Ethernet0” for the adapter’s name that you want to configure.
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Type the following command to enable the network adapter to obtain its DNS configuration using DHCP and press Enter:
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 3 -ResetServerAddresses
In the command, change “3” for the InterfaceIndex for the adapter to configure.
Once you complete the steps, the IP and DNS addresses will be reset from the adapter, and your computer will receive a new dynamic configuration from DHCP.
Change to dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Control Panel
To configure a network adapter to use a dynamic IP address using Control Panel, use these steps:
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Open Control Panel.
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Click on Network and Internet.
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Click on Network and Sharing Center.
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On the left pane, click the “Change adapter settings” option.
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Right-click the network adapter and select the Properties option.
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Select the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
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Click the Properties button.
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Select the “Obtain an IP address automatically” option.
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Select the “Obtain the following DNS server address automatically” option.
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Click the OK button.
After completing the steps, the statically assigned TCP/IP configuration will no longer be available, and the computer will automatically request a dynamic network configuration from the network.