Finding your IP address is essential, especially when you want to troubleshoot network issues on your windows computer.
Contrary to most people, you don't have to use third-party software or an IT technician to find your IP address. Windows offers different ways of obtaining your IP address, and one of the quickest and most efficient is to use the command prompt.
This guide will walk you through the steps to find your IP address on Windows 10 using the Command prompt feature. But first, let's look at the type of IP addresses you can use.
Types of IP Address
There are two types of IP addresses that you can use on your computer;
- Private IP Address: A private IP address is used in a home or small office network. It allows devices to communicate within a specific network or location. The most common type of private IP address is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
- Public IP Address: A public IP address is used when you want your computer to be accessible from the internet. A public IP address is assigned to your computer by your ISP and is unique to you. You can search for a public IP address by searching online “what is my IP address.”
The public IP address is further categorized into; dynamic and static IP addresses.
- Dynamic IP address: A dynamic IP address is a temporary public IP address assigned to your computer by your ISP. The dynamic IP address changes every time you connect to the internet.
- Static IP address: A static IP address is a permanent public IP address assigned to your computer by your ISP. The static IP address does not change, so your computer will always have the same IP address.
Find IP Address on Windows 10 Using Command Prompt
The simplest way to obtain a private address on Windows 10 is by using the command prompt. Here are the steps to follow;
Step 1: Open Command Prompt by pressing Win + R keys together on your keyboard and typing cmd in the Run box. Press Enter or click OK to launch the Command Prompt window.
Alternative methods: Click the Start button and type “Command Prompt” or “cmd” in the search box and then choose Command Prompt on the search results. Or, click the Start button to launch the Start Menu, click on Windows System to expand it, and select the Command prompt.
Step 2: With the Command Prompt window open, type ipconfig and hit Enter, and a snippet of information will display.
Step 3: Navigate to where the IPv4 Address is, and next to it is your private IP address.
You now have your IP address. If, for any reason, you would want more information alongside your IP address, such as the ethernet adaptor details or your hostname, type;
- ipconfig /all and press the Enter key, and a list of information, including hostname, DHCP information, and ethernet adapter details, among other information, will display.\
Now that you have your IP address, how does it work?
How IP Address Works
In a network, devices are identified by their IP addresses. Each device on a network must have a unique IP address that allows the correct routing of data between devices. IP addresses are assigned to devices by their network administrator or the DHCP server.
When a device sends data over the network, the data is broken into packets. Each packet contains the sender's IP address and the receiver's IP address. The router uses these addresses to determine where to send the packets. Thus, the IP addresses of the sender and receiver are essential for the successful routing of data.
Without an IP address, devices would not be able to communicate with each other and access content.
Benefits of Knowing Your IP Address
Several benefits come with knowing your IP address; they include;
- Troubleshoot connection problems: If you have trouble connecting to the Internet, you may need to know your IP address. An IT technician will need your IP address so that they can help resolve the problem.
- Manage your network: When you know your IP address, it's easy to keep track of the devices on your network. You can also spot any suspicious activity and stop hackers before accessing important information.
- Access blocked sites: Some schools, companies, or countries block certain websites like gaming sites from being accessed by users. However, knowing your IP address allows you to bypass these restrictions since it is nearly impossible for them to block all possible addresses.
- Set up a home network: To connect multiple devices in a home or office setting, you must set up a home network. However, you cannot set up a home network if you don't know your IP address. Thus, knowing your IP address can make this process much more manageable.
With the above benefits, it's evident that knowing your P address can be beneficial in several ways.
FAQs
Q. What is an IP address?
An IP address is a unique identifier for devices on a network. This number assigned to each device is necessary for successfully routing data between devices. An IP address can either be private or public.
Q. How do IP addresses work?
When a device sends data over the network, the data is broken into packets. Each packet contains the sender's IP address and the receiver's IP address. The router uses these addresses to determine where to send the packets. Therefore, the IP addresses of the sender and receiver are essential for the successful routing of data.
Q. Can I find a device's name from an IP address in the Command Prompt?
Launch your command prompt and type nbtstat -A IP address and tap Enter. You will find your machine name under Name, close to the top of the results. There you go!
Final Word
Anytime you want to troubleshoot your Windows 10 internet connectivity problems, use the command prompt to ascertain your IP address. Besides troubleshooting your network, it's easier to set up and manage a home network when you know your IP address.
