How to remove static IP address on Windows 11

• Windows 11 lets you switch a static IP configuration back to DHCP when you no longer need a fixed address.
• You can make the change from Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.
• DHCP automatically assigns the IP configuration from your network, typically through your router.
• The guide covers the steps to switch both IP and DNS settings back to automatic.

On Windows 11, you can remove a static IP address and switch your computer back to a dynamic network configuration using Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. This guide shows you how to make the change.

A static TCP/IP configuration assigns a permanent IP address to a device, which is useful for computers and other devices that need a consistent network address to provide services such as file sharing, printers, or applications. If you no longer need a fixed IP address, you can switch back to a dynamic configuration and let the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, typically your router, automatically assign the network settings.

This guide will teach you how to remove a static IP address configuration to obtain a dynamic address on Windows 11.

• Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Settings
• Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Command Prompt
• Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from PowerShell
• Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Control Panel
• Pureinfotech’s Take

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Settings

To remove a static IP address and request a dynamic IP configuration on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Network & Internet.

3. Click on Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

4. Click the Edit button for the “IP assignment” setting.

   

5. Use the Edit IP settings drop-down menu and select the Automatic (DHCP) option.

   

6. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the networking stack configuration will reset, and the computer will request a dynamic IP address from the DHCP server.

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Command Prompt

To switch from a static TCP/IP configuration to a dynamically assigned configuration from Command Prompt, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to note the name of the network adapter and press Enter

   ipconfig

   

4. Type the following command to configure the network adapter to request a dynamic TCP/IP on Windows 11 and press Enter:

   netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet0" dhcp

   In the command, change “Ethernet0” to the adapter name you want to configure.

   

After you complete the steps, the network adapter will drop the static settings and request a dynamic address from the DHCP server.

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from PowerShell

To remove a static IP and use a dynamic configuration with PowerShell commands on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to note the “InterfaceIndex” number for the Windows 11 network adapter and press Enter:

   Get-NetIPConfiguration

   

4. Type the following command to switch and obtain a dynamic IP on Windows 11 and press Enter:

   Get-NetAdapter -Name Ethernet0 | Set-NetIPInterface -Dhcp Enabled

   In the command, change “Ethernet0” to the adapter’s name that you want to configure.

5. Type the following command to enable the network adapter to obtain its DNS configuration using DHCP and press Enter:

   Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 11 -ResetServerAddresses

   In the command, change the 11 value for the InterfaceIndex of the adapter you want to configure.

   

Once you complete the steps, the computer will switch from a static IP to a dynamic IP configuration.

Configure dynamic IP address (DHCP) from Control Panel

To configure a network adapter to use a dynamic IP address using Control Panel, follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on Network and Internet.

3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

4. Click the “Change adapter settings” option in the left pane.

   

5. Right-click the network adapter and select the Properties option.

6. Select the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.

7. Click the Properties button.

   

8. Select the “Obtain an IP address automatically” option.

9. Select the “Obtain the following DNS server address automatically” option.

   

10. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will remove the statically assigned TCP/IP configuration and request a dynamic configuration from the network.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I usually prefer DHCP unless I have a specific reason to keep a static IP. In my experience, manually configured network settings are one of those things you set up, forget about, and then have to remember later when something changes on the network.

For a typical computer, I’d rather let the router handle the IP configuration. It’s one less setting I need to maintain, and if I’m troubleshooting a network problem, I’d rather start with a clean, automatic configuration than wonder whether an old static address is getting in the way.

I also like that Windows 11 still gives me several ways to make the switch. I’d probably use Settings for a quick change, but having Command Prompt and PowerShell available is handy when I’m troubleshooting or configuring multiple machines.

Do you normally use DHCP, or do you still prefer assigning a static IP to your devices? Let me know in the comments.