How to change (Dynamic) IP address in Windows 7 or Vista?

Anonymous
2009-12-10T08:06:48+00:00

Had same issue on Vista, upgraded to Win7 and issue remains.

I have a Dynamic ISP IP address, yet it remains as if it were static, everything that use to work in XP and previous versions of Windows no longer works in Vista or 7. I spoke to my ISP (3 times, 3 different techs), they said my IP is dynamic and confirmed it is not set by them as static. They charge more for a static IP, so would not just be giving me this "upgrade" for free. They had "no idea" how to force/change a new IP address in Vista or 7.

PLEASE! Do not bother suggesting to run ipconfig /flushdns, /release, /renew at a prompt to do this like every internet search suggests, THIS DOES NOT WORK. This was done with cmd prompt opened under "Run As Administrator".

PLEASE! Read everything I have already done here before suggesting something I've already tried or have tested and proven to work/not work.

Here are other things I have tried, THAT ALSO DO NOT WORK:

(NOTE: no router is being used, direct connected, CAT5, PC NIC to broadband modem)

-Left modem unplugged 72 hours. No change

-Had ISP send me a new modem. No change

-Uninstalled Network adapter. No change

-Changed IP4 settings from "Obtain Auto" to a made up forced IP, rebooted, then changed back to auto. No change

So, with all of this "old school" stuff already tried and failed, what have they changed in Vista and 7 that seems to keep even Dynamic IP's as static? Where is Windows caching or storing this information so I can clear it, none of the traditional methods work. I absolutely can not stand having a static IP on my home computer.

If you internet search this exact question you'll find what I have, everyone is suggesting the once working methods I've already tried above, yet people using Vista or 7 are repeatedly finding this no longer works.

Here's some more information, that confirms the IP isn't being stored in my modem, or assigned to the MAC address of my NIC...

If I boot this same PC to a LINUX Live type CD, using the same MAC address and NIC it obtains a different IP address everytime it reboots. The issue clearly has nothing to do with my ISP, modem, or PC in general.

If I hot swap my modem to a different PC, the other PC gets a fresh (different) IP address. If this other PC is using XP I can force the ipconfig /release /renew to change its IP address.

If the different PC is running Vista, the IP remains static no matter what I try unless the hard drive is wiped and Vista is reinstalled, then it obtains a new IP on the PC with the clean install, yet it can not be changed after this happens.

So clearly, Windows Vista and Windows 7 are holding onto IP configuration information somewhere and reusing this information when it detects you are using the same internet provider, WHERE is it being stored so I can clear it?

Thank you so much if you have a working solution and actually know the answer, instead of just reading what can already be found by a search engine and reposting info that is no longer valid like everyone else on the internet is currently doing when trying to answer this question.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-07-14T20:20:09+00:00

I think I have found a solution. It has worked for me so I guess it might work for you.

  1. Find out your IP address e.g. go to a website like http://www.whatismyip.com/ it will show you your IP.
  2. Copy It.
  3. Open Network & Sharing Center
  4. Open the Properties of the network you what your IP to change. In my case it is a EVDO modem.
  5. On the Networking tab double-click TCP/IPv4 which will open a window to edit IP and DNS IP address.
  6. On this window Click on "Use the following IP address" and paste that IP you copied at Step 2.
  7. Change the last digit of the IP to any value above it e.g. if its 192.168.23.123 edit the last digit to something like 122 so that the IP becomes 192.168.23.122.
  8. Click OK until all the windows close.
  9. Disconnect from that network.
  10. Reconnect to that network and if it goes as planned the ISP should force a Dynamic IP. Check http://www.whatismyip.com/ if it has changed. If you cannot browse go to Step 6 and select "Obtain an IP address automatically" then Disconnect -> Reconnect the network.

This worked for me so I'm not sure if it will work for you. Feedback will be greatly appreciated.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-16T18:42:25+00:00

    Why have continues hope? What about the Facts, I belive that it will solve much more the Wondering.

    Of couse DHCP is important is actually Boss isn't It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks for reading.


    Robin Carlin

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-16T18:35:35+00:00

    I got to CMD and run Ipconfig Showing that Showing that Ver. 6.1 is active!! Will you think that going to Ver. 4 make any difference? Will this always be running under Sys32?

    Ipv4 seem to be OK, Default Gateway seem ok, but why will it be showing that Wireless Lan net. 2 disconnected? And network 1 disconnected"No internet connectin" But Network 2 is running with internet Access?

    I will contact the correct are by tomorrow but need some more input before.

    Thank you for reading.


    Robin Carlin

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-16T18:07:02+00:00

    So it they wipe the hard drive clean, Which i believe this has already taken place about less than 1 month ago but not really shure if so yet! Who got that idea of wiping hard drive clean?

    Who is the one that made this type of order if i may hold the Vista info.

    How exacly will this affect? And why wipe it out?


    Robin Carlin

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-16T17:48:06+00:00

    Not resolved yet but i am getting to it.

    If i dont ask then how to know!!

    I take a bit of reserch but guarrante to obtain whats missing.

    Thank you.


    Robin Carlin

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