TCP/IP is the backbone of all networking on Windows. Whether you’re connecting to the internet, accessing shared files over your network, setting up a printer, or troubleshooting connection problems, TCP/IP settings determine how your PC communicates with other devices. Windows 11 configures most of these settings automatically, but there are many situations where you need to manually adjust them — especially if you’re dealing with static IPs, DNS issues, network conflicts, or special networking requirements.
If you’re here reading this guide, chances are you need to configure TCP/IP manually on your Windows 11 PC. Maybe you’re setting up a server, connecting to a router in bridge mode, troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues, or simply want faster DNS performance. The good news is that Windows 11 gives you full control over your TCP/IP configuration through Settings, Control Panel, and even PowerShell for advanced users.
In this detailed tutorial, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about configuring TCP/IP settings — from basic IP adjustments to DNS, gateway, advanced properties, and command-line configuration. Let’s get started!
What Are TCP/IP Settings in Windows 11?
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) defines how data travels across networks. Windows uses these settings to:
- Assign IP addresses
- Connect to local routers
- Resolve domain names (DNS)
- Manage subnet masks
- Route traffic through gateways
- Identify the default interface
- Support IPv4 and IPv6 networks
Configuring TCP/IP lets you manually control these elements instead of letting Windows assign them automatically.
You might need manual configuration when:
- Setting up a static IP address
- Fixing IP conflicts
- Using custom DNS servers
- Troubleshooting network connectivity
- Connecting to certain enterprise networks
- Improving browsing speed using third-party DNS
- Testing servers, websites, or development environments
Now let’s walk through the best ways to configure TCP/IP in Windows 11.
How to Configure TCP/IP Settings in Windows 11
Below are the most effective methods to configure or adjust your network settings.
1. Configure TCP/IP Using the Windows Settings App (Simplest Method)
The Settings app offers the easiest way to change your IP address and DNS settings.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet.
- Select your network type:
- Wi-Fi (if wireless)
- Ethernet (if wired)
- Click the network name (e.g., Wi-Fi SSID or Ethernet).
- Scroll down and select Hardware properties.
- Click Edit next to IP assignment.
- Choose:
- Automatic (DHCP) — default
- Manual — for static IP
- Switch the toggle for IPv4 (or IPv6).
- Enter the following fields manually:
- IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50)
- Subnet mask (e.g., 255.255.255.0)
- Default gateway (typically your router’s IP)
- Click Save.
To set DNS manually:
- Under DNS server assignment, click Edit.
- Choose Manual.
- Enable IPv4 or IPv6.
- Enter preferred DNS servers (examples):
- Google DNS:
8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4 - Cloudflare DNS:
1.1.1.1,1.0.0.1 - OpenDNS:
208.67.222.222,208.67.220.220
- Google DNS:
- Save your settings.
This method is ideal for most users.
2. Configure TCP/IP Using Control Panel (Advanced Network Properties)
Control Panel provides more detailed network configuration options.
- Press Windows + R and type:
ncpa.cpl
- Press Enter to open Network Connections.
- Right-click your network adapter → Properties.
- Select:
- Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
- Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
- Click Properties.
For a static IPv4 address:
- Select Use the following IP address.
- Enter:
- IP address
- Subnet mask
- Default gateway
- Under DNS, choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter your preferred DNS.
- Click OK.
Control Panel offers the older but fuller TCP/IP configuration interface used by IT professionals.
3. Configure TCP/IP via PowerShell (For Advanced Users)
PowerShell offers full control and scripting capabilities.
To view IP configuration:
Get-NetIPConfiguration
To set a static IP:
New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress 192.168.1.25 -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway 192.168.1.1
To set DNS servers:
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses 1.1.1.1,8.8.8.8
To reset DNS settings to automatic:
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ResetServerAddresses
PowerShell is ideal for automated setups or remote configuration.
4. Configure TCP/IP with Command Prompt (Classic Method)
The Command Prompt commands offer direct control.
To set a static IP:
netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet" static 192.168.1.25 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1
To set DNS:
netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet" static 8.8.8.8
netsh interface ip add dns name="Ethernet" 8.8.4.4 index=2
To return to automatic:
netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet" dhcp
netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet" dhcp
This method is still widely used in enterprise environments.
5. Reset All TCP/IP Settings (If Something Breaks)
If you misconfigure settings or lose internet connection, you can reset everything.
- Open Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Run each command one by one:
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart your PC.
This restores default TCP/IP behavior.
6. Disable or Enable IPv6 (Optional Configuration)
Some networks experience issues when IPv6 is active.
To disable IPv6:
- Open ncpa.cpl.
- Right-click your network adapter → Properties.
- Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
- Click OK.
This is often used in enterprise networks or legacy systems.
7. Change Network Priority (Advanced Routing Control)
If you use multiple network adapters (Ethernet + Wi-Fi), changing interface priority helps.
- Open Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Run:
Get-NetIPInterface
- Note the
InterfaceIndex. - Set priority:
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex 12 -InterfaceMetric 10
Lower metric = higher priority.
Wrapping Up
Configuring TCP/IP settings in Windows 11 can be as simple or as advanced as you need it to be. Whether you’re assigning a static IP, adjusting DNS settings, troubleshooting network issues, or using advanced command-line and PowerShell tools, Windows provides complete control over your network configuration.
We hope this detailed guide helped you configure your TCP/IP settings successfully. If you found it useful, feel free to explore more of our in-depth networking and Windows troubleshooting tutorials. As always, thank you for reading till the end, and we’ll see you in the next guide!
