How Do I Find My IP Address on Windows 10 Without Losing Your Mind

Finding your digital coordinates isn't exactly intuitive. Most people think their computer has one "ID number" and that's it. Wrong. You’ve actually got a few of them, and depending on whether you're trying to set up a Minecraft server or troubleshoot a printer that’s suddenly decided to go on strike, you'll need a different one. It's confusing. Honestly, it’s kinda annoying that Microsoft hides this stuff behind layers of menus, but once you know where to look, it takes about five seconds.

If you’ve ever wondered how do I find my IP address on Windows 10, you’re probably looking for one of two things: your local IP (Internal) or your public IP (External).

Your local IP is like your room number in a hotel; it’s how your router knows to send that YouTube video to your laptop instead of your smart fridge. Your public IP is more like the hotel’s street address. The internet at large sees the hotel, not the room. We’re going to find both.

The Lazy Way: Use the Task Manager

I love this method because it requires zero typing. Most people use the Task Manager to kill apps that have frozen, but it’s secretly a powerhouse for networking data.

Right-click your taskbar. Select Task Manager. If it looks like a tiny, pathetic window with just a few apps listed, click More details at the bottom. Now, head over to the Performance tab. On the left side, you'll see a list of components like CPU and Memory. Click on Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you’re plugged in via a cable).

Look at the bottom of that window. There it is: IPv4 address.

It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. That’s your local identity. If you see something starting with 169.254, you’ve got a problem. That means your computer couldn’t talk to the router and just made up a number so it wouldn't feel lonely. You won't have internet access with a 169 address.

The "I'm a Pro" Way: Command Prompt

Some people find the Command Prompt scary. It looks like something out of a 90s hacker movie. But it’s the most reliable way to get the job done.

Hit the Windows Key, type cmd, and press Enter.

In that black box, type exactly this: ipconfig

Press Enter. You'll get a wall of text. Don't panic. Scroll up to the section that says Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. The line you want is IPv4 Address. It’s right there.

While you’re here, look at the Default Gateway. That’s actually the IP address of your router. If you ever need to change your Wi-Fi password, you usually type that Gateway number into your web browser.

What about that IPv6 thing?

You’ll notice a much longer, weirder string of numbers and letters called IPv6. Basically, the world ran out of the old IPv4 addresses because there are too many smartphones and smart lightbulbs now. IPv6 is the solution. For most home networking tasks, you still want the IPv4, but the IPv6 is becoming the standard for modern web traffic.

The Settings Menu Method

If you prefer the "modern" Windows look, you can find it in the Settings app. It’s buried, though.

1. Click Start > Settings (the gear icon).
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. On the left sidebar, make sure Status is selected.
4. Click Properties under your active connection.
5. Scroll way down to the bottom.

Under the "Properties" header, you’ll see the IPv4 address listed. This menu is also great because it shows you your Link speed. If you're paying for 1000Mbps internet but this menu says "100/100 (Mbps)," your cable or your port is bottlenecking your speed. It’s a great way to troubleshoot why your downloads feel like they're stuck in 2005.

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Public vs. Private: The Big Distinction

This is where most people get tripped up. Everything we’ve done so far finds your Private IP address. This address only exists inside your house. If you gave that 192.168.x.x number to a friend in another state, they couldn’t do anything with it. It’s like telling someone your office is in "Cubicle 4." Without knowing which building you're in, they’ll never find you.

To find your Public IP address—the one the rest of the world sees—you don't even need Windows settings.

Open Google or Bing. Type "What is my IP."

The search engine will spit back a string of numbers. That is your footprint on the global web. Websites use this to know you're in Chicago rather than London. Advertisers use it to show you local car deals. Hackers... well, they can use it too, which is why people use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to hide it.

Why is my IP address changing?

You might notice that if you check your IP today and again next week, it’s different. This is normal. Most home internet providers use Dynamic IP addresses. It’s cheaper for them. Instead of giving you a permanent "Static" address, they lease you one from a big pool. When your router reboots, or the lease expires, you get a new one.

If you’re trying to run a home server or use Remote Desktop to access your PC from work, a changing IP is a nightmare. In those cases, you have to go into your router settings and perform what’s called a DHCP Reservation. You're essentially telling the router, "Hey, every time this specific PC asks for a number, always give it 192.168.1.50."

Security Myths and Reality Check

There’s a lot of fear-mongering about IP addresses. You’ll see YouTube ads claiming that if someone has your IP, they can see your browser history or your bank account.

Relax. They can’t.

An IP address generally only gives away your general vicinity—usually your ISP's central office or your city. It doesn't give someone your street address or your name. However, it can be used for DDoS attacks, which basically floods your internet connection with so much junk traffic that you can’t use it. This is a common prank in the gaming world. If you suspect you're being targeted, simply unplugging your router for five minutes and plugging it back in often forces your ISP to give you a new public IP.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you follow these steps and see nothing. Or you see Media Disconnected.

This usually means your network card is disabled or your drivers are acting up. If ipconfig shows nothing, try this:

• Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
• Find Network adapters.
• If there’s a yellow triangle next to your Wi-Fi card, right-click it and select Uninstall device.
• Don't worry, just restart your computer. Windows will realize it’s missing and reinstall a fresh driver automatically.

Another weird trick? The "Release and Renew." In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig /release and then ipconfig /renew. This forces your computer to drop its current connection and ask the router for a fresh identity. It fixes about 90% of "Limited Connectivity" errors in Windows 10.

Moving Forward

Knowing your IP is just the first step. If you’re doing this for gaming, you’ll likely need to look into Port Forwarding next, which tells your router to send specific types of traffic (like a game lobby) directly to your PC’s local IP. If you’re worried about privacy, your next move should be looking into a reputable VPN service to mask that public IP we found earlier. Always remember that your internal IP is for your home "lan party" stuff, and your external IP is your face to the world. Keep them straight, and networking becomes a lot less of a headache. Check your network properties once a month just to make sure everything looks consistent, especially after a major Windows Update, as those have a nasty habit of resetting your custom network configurations.