How to Check an IP Address in Windows Vista
Windows Vista is just one of many operating systems capable of connecting users to the Internet. Each user receives an IP (Internet Protocol) address that identifies their computer to any others it communicates with. In fact, any device that communicates over the Internet receives an IP address. It is very simple to check an IP address in Windows Vista.
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Instructions
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Check an IP Address in Windows Vista
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Start Windows Vista and log on to your account. If you are the sole user of the computer then your computer will automatically load to your account, and you will have administrator privileges in order to check or change an IP address.
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Check to make sure that you have an active connection to the Internet. You cannot check an IP address using Windows Vista without having access to the Internet.
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Head to the whatismyip.com website to determine your current IP address (see Resources below). Once the web page loads, you will automatically see a display of your current IP address.
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Alter your IP address manually by using the Windows Vista Network and Sharing Center. Click "Start" then "Control Panel" and double-click on the "Manage network connections" link.
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Click the "Network" tab. You will see that Windows Vista is set to "Automatically assign an IP address."
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Click the "Use the following IP settings." This will allow you to change the settings to your own specific needs.
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Enter all of the required IP information, including the IP address, Subnet mask and Default gateway. The system administrator and/or the network administrator will have this information.
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Click "OK" once you have finished.
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Attempt to return to whatismyip.com to verify your changes have been implemented. If not, then it will either display a dynamic IP address (overriding your changes) or whatismyip.com simply will not load.
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Tips & Warnings
Your IP address can change frequently if you are on a dynamic IP system. Many computers, particularly those that use dialup to connect to the Internet will have their IP address changed whenever they log in.
Be careful about giving out your IP address to other users or other computers without authorization. In many cases this is completely unavoidable, but willfully giving your IP address can lead to viruses and malicious attacks by outside sources.
