In Windows, how do I check my computer's IP address?
Note: The Windows XP default desktop view
and Start menu are different from the Windows Classic View
(e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain
items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most
Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using Classic View. For
information about switching your Windows XP default view to Classic
View, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?
Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista
To see what IP address your computer is using:
- Click
Start, and then selectAll Programs(XP and Vista) orPrograms(NT and 2000).
- Select
Accessories, and thenCommand Prompt(2000, XP, and Vista), orCommand Prompt(NT).
- At the command prompt, enter:
ipconfig
The IP address (or IPv4 address is you are using Windows Vista) will be a series of numbers following the pattern xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, for example, 156.56.27.32.
- To close the command prompt, enter: exit
Windows XP, without using the command prompt
Alternatively, in Windows XP, to find your IP address using the graphic user interface:
- Right-click the
My Network Placesicon, and then selectProperties.
- Double-click the
Local Area Connectionicon. Occasionally, there will be a number on the end (e.g.,Local Area Connection 2), depending on your computer's configuration. If you are looking for the IP address for a wireless adapter, the icon will normally be namedWireless Network Connection.
- Click the
Supporttab.
- Click
Details.... The IP address will be listed in the window that appears.
Also see:
- In Windows, what are some networking commands I can use from the command prompt?
- What is WINS?
- At IUB or IUPUI, whom do I contact to change a Domain Name Services (DNS) entry?
- In Windows 2000, XP, and Vista, how do I find the MAC address of my network adapter?
Last modified on August 13, 2008.






