Changing your IP address in Windows 10 can be useful for various reasons, such as resolving network connectivity issues, bypassing geolocation restrictions, or improving privacy. While it's important to note that your public IP address is typically assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and changing it permanently may not be feasible, you can change your local IP address within your private network. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it in Windows 10.

Step 1: Access Network Settings

First, you need to access the network settings on your Windows 10 computer. Click on the Start menu and search for "View network connections" or simply "Network Connections." This will open a new window showing all the network connections on your computer.

Step 2: Select Your Network Adapter

In the Network Connections window, you'll see a list of all your network interfaces, including wired and wireless connections. Locate the network adapter that you want to change the IP address for, typically your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. Right-click on it and select "Properties."

Step 3: Configure Network Properties

In the properties window, you'll see a list of items under the "This connection uses the following items" section. Find and select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" or "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)," depending on which protocol you're using. Then click on the "Properties" button.

Step 4: Change IP Settings

In the IP settings window, you have two options: "Obtain an IP address automatically" or "Use the following IP address." If you want to change your IP address manually, select the second option.

IP Address: Enter the desired IP address for your computer. It should be within the range of IP addresses that are available on your local network. You can consult your network administrator or router's manual to find out the valid IP range.

Subnet Mask: This is a number that identifies the network portion of the IP address. Typically, it's set to 255.255.255.0 for most home and small office networks.

Default Gateway: This is the IP address of your router or gateway device. It's the point where all traffic leaving your local network is directed.

DNS Servers: You can also enter the addresses of the Domain Name System (DNS) servers that your computer uses to resolve domain names to IP addresses. If you're not sure what to enter here, you can leave these fields blank and let your router or ISP handle DNS resolution.

After entering the necessary information, click on the "OK" button to save your changes.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer (Optional)

While it's not always necessary, restarting your computer after changing IP settings can ensure that the new settings are applied properly.

Changing your IP address in Windows 10 can be a useful troubleshooting step or a way to bypass certain restrictions. However, it's important to understand that changing your public IP address permanently is not feasible, as it's typically assigned by your ISP. Additionally, changing IP settings can affect your network connectivity, so make sure you understand the risks and have a backup plan if something goes wrong.