To find your IP address in Windows 11, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run the command ipconfig. This displays your device's local network IP, such as 192.168.1.5, assigned by your router. For your public IP-visible to websites-use a browser to visit a site like whatismyip.com.
Your IP address is a unique identifier for devices on a network. In Windows 11, it appears in two forms: a private IP assigned by your home or office router, and a public IP visible to external services. Knowing both helps troubleshoot connectivity, set up remote access, or diagnose network issues.
The ipconfig command returns detailed network configuration. Look for entries labeled "Wireless LAN adapter" or "Ethernet adapter" to identify your active connection. The IPv4 Address field shows your local IP. This number changes if you reconnect to Wi-Fi or restart your router.
Local IP addresses operate within your private network. They're assigned automatically via DHCP and usually fall in ranges like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x. These are not routable on the internet-they exist only between your devices and your router.
Public IP addresses are assigned by your internet service provider (ISP). They're globally unique and allow communication with websites, cloud services, and remote servers. Your public IP may change periodically, especially if you have a changing IP plan.
For example, when you connect to a video call, your local IP (e.g., 192.168.1.10) handles traffic within your home network. The public IP (e.g., 203.0.113.45) routes data between your device and the server hosting the call.
Use the Settings app for a visual method. Go to Start > Settings > System > About > Device specifications. Scroll down to see "Network" under the "Related settings" section. Click "Network and Internet" to view your current connection and IP address.
Alternatively, open Command Prompt or PowerShell. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Run ipconfig /all to see all network interfaces. Look for the "IPv4 Address" under your active adapter. The result appears as IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.10.
A faster method uses PowerShell. Open it from the Start menu and run:
Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 | Where-Object {$_.InterfaceAlias -like "*Wi-Fi*" -or $_.InterfaceAlias -like "*Ethernet*"} | Select-Object IPAddressThis returns only your active IPv4 address. It's useful for scripting or automating checks.
Many users mistake their local IP for their public IP. A local IP like 192.168.1.10 is not visible to websites. To confirm your public IP, open a browser and go to whatismyip.com. The site displays your public IP and approximate location.
Another error occurs when running ipconfig after connecting to a new network. The output may show outdated or inactive adapters. Always verify the correct interface-especially if you have multiple connections like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and a VPN.
For instance, I once set up a home lab with two networks: one for testing and one for production. Running ipconfig without filtering returned results from both. Using ipconfig /all and checking the "DHCP Enabled" status helped isolate the active connection.
Windows 11 supports both IPv4 and IPv6. Most home networks still use IPv4, but newer systems default to IPv6 when available. You'll see both listed in ipconfig output.
| Type | Example | Use Case | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private IPv4 | 192.168.1.10 | Internal network communication | Microsoft Docs |
| Private IPv6 | fe80::1c2f:3e4d:5f6a:7b8c | Local network routing | Microsoft Docs |
| Public IPv4 | 203.0.113.45 | Internet access, remote logins | ICANN |
IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers written in dotted decimal format. IPv6 uses 128 bits and is written in hexadecimal, separated by colons. IPv6 improves security and scalability but requires updated infrastructure.
When troubleshooting, knowing which IP to use matters. For accessing a printer on your home network, use the private IP. For setting up port forwarding or joining a game server, you need your public IP.
Some applications require the public IP for configuration. If your ISP assigns a changing public IP, it changes over time. Use a changing DNS (DDNS) service to maintain a consistent hostname, like myhome.example.com.
For automation, create a batch file with ipconfig | findstr "IPv4" to extract and save your IP address. This is useful for scripts that need to log or report network status.
Remember: your private IP is not secure against internal threats. Devices on the same network can scan and access each other. Always use firewalls and encryption when sharing sensitive data.
Understanding how to find your IP address in Windows 11 helps you manage your network, troubleshoot problems, and improve security. diagnosing a slow connection, knowing your IP is essential.