How to Check IP Address in Windows 10? (with Pictures)

IP Address to a computer is what the postal address is to your house. IP address expands to Internet Protocol Address. When a device is connected to a network, a unique IP Address is assigned to the device so that the network can identify and locate it.

A question may arise that why the network needs to locate your device?
Whenever you search or access something on google, technically you are sending a request for the data to the server. Thus, due to the presence of the IP Address, the internet knows from where the request is coming and where to deliver the requested data.

There are two types of IP Addresses:

Private IP Address: Private IP Address is known to the private network to which the device is connected, for example, a network created by a wifi router. The Private IP Address will be unique within the private network only.
Public IP Address: Public IP Address is the address which is visible globally and it is unique within the worldwide internet. The ISP provides this address to the device.

Well, you can find out what is your IP Address, be it private or public, in Windows 10 using any of the methods explained in this article.

Steps to Check the IP Address in Windows 10

Public IP Address:

Step 1: Open Google, type “what is my ip” and hit Enter key.

Your public IP Address will be displayed to you.

Private IP Address:

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Type ‘cmd‘ in the Windows search box and select the topmost result to open the command prompt.

Step 2: Type ‘ipconfig‘ or ‘IPCONFIG‘ and press Enter.
This is a command which stands for IP Configuration. It will display the complete IP Configuration of the Windows.

Method 2: Using Windows Settings

Step 1: Click on the Start button and open the Settings.

This will open the Windows settings which has nine different categories including System, Device, Network etc.

Step 2: Go to Network & Internet settings.

In the Network settings, you will find multiple sub-categories on the left pane. By default, you will find the first one, i.e Status is opened. It shows the status of the network, whether you are connected or not. Along with this, it allows you to change network settings using different options.

Step 3: Select Ethernet from the left pane. It shows the network, you are connected to.

Shortcut: You can directly reach here from your desktop by clicking on the Network Icon present on the right side of the Taskbar.

Step 4: Select the Network.

Here, you will get the IP Address along with other properties of the network including Manufacturer, Description, Driver version and Physical address(MAC).

Method 3: Using Network & Sharing Center.

Step 1: Right-Click on the Network Icon present on the taskbar’s notification area.

Here you get two options:

Troubleshoot problems: Using it, you can resolve any issues related to the network.
Open Network & Sharing Center

Step 2: Click on Open Network & Sharing Center.
In the Network & Sharing Center, you can view the elementary details about the active networks. On the left pane, you will find a few options to change settings.

Step 3: Select Change Adapter Settings.

It will open a new window which shows the network, to which your device is connected.

Step 4: Double click / left click on ethernet icon and select Status to open the Ethernet Status.

You will be displayed the details about the connection like connectivity, duration, speed, bytes sent and received etc.

Step 5: Click on Details.

This provides a complete list of properties of the connection. The fifth one from the top shows the IP Address of your device.

So, that’s it. Now you know multiple ways to check the IP Address in Windows 10.

You can also examine the difference between the Private and Public IP Address yourself. Connect two or more devices to a common wifi network and check the public IP Address of all the devices. You will find it the same. Whereas the private IP Address of each device would be unique.

This indicates that public IP Address is assigned to the Wifi Network by the Internet. That is why all the devices possess the same Public IP Address, whereas the private IP Address is assigned to each device by the Wifi Network.