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

Anonymous

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.

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

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

Find out your IP address e.g. go to a website like http://www.whatismyip.com/ it will show you your IP.
Copy It.
Open Network & Sharing Center
Open the Properties of the network you what your IP to change. In my case it is a EVDO modem.
On the Networking tab double-click TCP/IPv4 which will open a window to edit IP and DNS IP address.
On this window Click on "Use the following IP address" and paste that IP you copied at Step 2.
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.
Click OK until all the windows close.
Disconnect from that network.
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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71 additional answers

Anonymous

2010-11-07T04:43:54+00:00

@ tony1967 & all:

Yes, I notice with my Windows 7 Pro, I cannot change my IP address using that stepped routine that you talk about in your initial quesiton. I COULD DO THAT WHEN I HAD WINDOWS XP using that stepped routine, and under Windows 7 I CAN NOT NOW. TO NOTE: I have the SAME cable internet provider and cable modem BACK THEN and NOW. I assume it was some sort of a "fix" Microsoft put into Windows (either at the Vista version or 7).

I used to get attacks from China all the time with XP (Yes, my firewall was working. This is right after joining Facebook.), and when I changed my IP address, it went away. I cannot do that anymore. Yes, with XP you could do alot more in terms of serious internal flexibility with customizable programming you cannot do as much any longer in later versions of Windows.
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Anonymous

2011-02-01T20:27:33+00:00

I honestly don't think that you are going to be able to find where the IP addresses are stored and clear them. They are automatically assigned through windows and you internet provider. The one thing that I noticed you DIDN'T do is update your drivers for the router/wireless card. Sometimes this can cause an issue, because your computer is running outdated driver, and your equipment is up to date and they conflict with each other. Also, windows 7 has an setting that keeps the IP address that has the fastest/most efficient connection, and Im not sure if you can change it unless the DHCP decides too... Another thing that you might want to try is not being rude to people that try to help you. I realize that this can be frustrating, but there is no reason to be rude when you post on a public forum, expecting them to help you. I can tell you from personal experience as a PC tech, I don't enjoy working with clients that are rude, just because the answer doesn't come immediately or when they want it. Computers most of the time take alot of work, and its not all sunshine and daisies :)
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Anonymous

2011-02-01T22:15:08+00:00

avalon116,

You certainly get the award for being the absolute most clueless person to respond yet while still trying to sound like you even have a clue as what you are talking about.

I'm not reading a single glimpse of accurate information in a single thing you have written here, it's certainly no wonder you find yourself dealing so often with "rude" people.

I'm actually shocked that your advice didn't also suggest a complete reinstall of the Windows Operating System.
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Anonymous

2011-02-02T13:24:03+00:00

I read earlier you had no trouble at all changing your IP when using another OS, i.e. XP. I have Windows7 installed on my new hard drive but, WindowsXP is still installed on my old hard drive i had.

IF i power everything down and remove my newer hard drive w/Windows7 on it......and put my older hard drive back in w/WindowsXP and power everything back up, i have the same IP address i had on my Windows7.

My IP Address is Dynamic, also with my older hard drive back in w/WindowsXP, i can't even change the IP Address using the tried and true older methods.

Just to clarify, i didn't reinstall any OS...i'm talking about 2 different hard drives, with 2 different OS's ...one w/Windows7 and the other has WindowsXP on it.
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