In Windows, how do I configure my computer to obtain an IP address automatically?

In Windows, you can configure your computer to obtain an IP address automatically by completing the appropriate steps below:

Windows Vista

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel.

   Note: The Windows Vista Start menu and Control Panel 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 documents assume you are using the Classic View. For information about switching your Windows Vista default view to Classic View, see In Windows Vista, how do I switch to the Windows Classic Start menu or Classic Control Panel?

2. Double-click Network and Sharing Center.
   
   
3. From the list of tasks on the left, click Manage network connections.
   
   
4. For a wired network connection, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties.
   
   For a wireless network connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then select Properties
   
   
5. From the Networking tab, click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), make sure it is checked, and then click Properties.
   
   
6. Click Obtain an IP Address Automatically, and then click OK.

Windows XP

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel.

   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 details about switching views, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

2. Double-click Network Connections.
   
   
3. For a wired network connection, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties.
   
   For a wireless network connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then select Properties.
   
   
4. From the General tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), make sure it is checked, and then click Properties.
   
   
5. Click Obtain an IP Address Automatically, and then click OK.

Windows 2000

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.
   
   
3. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties.
   
   
4. From the General tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), make sure it is checked, and then click Properties.
   
   
5. Click Obtain an IP Address Automatically, and then click OK.

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