How to Change TCP/IP settings in Windows 7

TCP/IP defines how your computer communicates with other computers.

To make it easier to manage TCP/IP settings, we recommend using automated Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP automatically assigns Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the computers on your network, if your network supports it. If you use DHCP, then you don't have to change your TCP/IP settings if you move your computer to another location, and DHCP doesn't require you to manually configure TCP/IP settings, such as Domain Name System (DNS) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS). To enable DHCP or change other TCP/IP settings, follow these steps:

1. Open Network Connections by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type adapter, and then, under Network and Sharing Center, click View network connections.
2. Right-click the connection that you want to change, and then click Properties.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Click the Networking tab. Under This connection uses the following items, click either Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), and then click Properties.
   The Network Connection Properties dialog box
4. To specify IPv4 IP address settings, do one of the following:
   • To get IP settings automatically using DHCP, click Obtain an IP address automatically, and then click OK.
   • To specify an IP address, click Use the following IP address, and then, in the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.
5. To specify IPv6 IP address settings, do one of the following:
   • To get IP settings automatically using DHCP, click Obtain an IPv6 address automatically, and then click OK.
   • To specify an IP address, click Use the following IPv6 address, and then, in the IPv6 address, Subnet prefix length, and Default gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.
6. To specify DNS server address settings, do one of the following:
   • To get a DNS server address automatically using DHCP, click Obtain DNS server address automatically, and then click OK.
   • To specify a DNS server address, click Use the following DNS server addresses, and then, in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.
   The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)Properties dialog box