In networking, a dynamic IP address is an IP address that is assigned automatically to a device by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. This is in contrast to a static IP address, which is manually assigned and remains constant. Dynamic IP addresses are essential for simplifying network management, especially in environments where devices frequently join and leave the network, such as in homes, offices, and public Wi-Fi networks.

In the Windows environment, configuring a device to use a dynamic IP address is a straightforward process. This article will guide you through the steps to configure a dynamic IP address using both the graphical user interface (GUI) and the command line interface (CMD/PowerShell).

Examples:

Using the GUI:

1. Open Network and Sharing Center:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.


• Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter. This will open the Network Connections window.

2. Select Network Adapter:

• Right-click on the network adapter you want to configure (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties.

3. Configure TCP/IPv4:

• In the Properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.

4. Set to Obtain IP Address Automatically:

• In the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.


• Click OK to save the changes.

Using CMD:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

• Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Release Current IP Configuration:

• Type the following command and press Enter:
  

   ipconfig /release

3. Renew IP Configuration:

• Type the following command and press Enter:
  

   ipconfig /renew

Using PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

• Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Set Network Adapter to Use DHCP:

• Identify the network adapter name by running:
  

   Get-NetAdapter



• Set the adapter to use DHCP for both IP and DNS:
  

   Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -Dhcp Enabled
  
   Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ResetServerAddresses

These methods will configure your Windows machine to use a dynamic IP address, making network management simpler and more efficient.