How to Add a Secondary/Multiple IP Address in Windows 11

Take a closer look at our quick procedures now

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Key notes

  • Want to add a secondary IP address in Windows 11? We will tell you all the ways to make that happen.
  • You can do it either via Network Connections or an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Also, find out how to add multiple IP addresses in a single go in Windows 11.
Add secondary IP address in Windows 11

IP (Internet Protocol) address is basically an identity assigned to every device on the network, to help identify it on LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Many users wonder if they can add a secondary IP address in Windows 11.

The answer is Yes. You could do it on the previous iterations as well as the latest, i.e., Windows 11.

But before you do, there are a few things you must know about the IP address concept and the need to add multiple addresses. Once you understand it, we will walk you through the process of adding a secondary IP address in Windows 11.

What are the various versions/types of IP address?

If you navigate to the network properties, you will find both IPv4 and IPv6, which are different versions of an IP address, with the latter being more advanced.

IPv4 and IPv6 in Network Properties

The need for IPv6 arises due to an increase in the number of devices connected to the Internet. Since IPv4 could only cater to 4.29 billion addresses, there’s IPv6 now that can support 1028 times more devices.

Then comes the concept of static and dynamic IP addresses. As the name suggests, the former remains the same throughout while the latter keeps changing periodically. A normal user will likely have a dynamic IP address since the static ones cost more.

To fully understand the concept, check our guide on IP addresses. Though it’s for Windows 10, the ideas and steps listed there also work the same on Windows 11.

Why do I need to assign a secondary IP address in Windows 11?

Now, we come to the most important question, why do you need to assign a secondary IP address or even multiple ones in Windows 11?

Say, you have a device with a default IP address and want to use another one; this may require adding a secondary one. Apart from that, it’s used when you are hosting various SSL websites.

In case you have to send bulk emails in a short duration, getting multiple IP addresses could help, since there’s a limit to how many can be sent from one in a particular time frame.

Also, several users set it up to avoid being blacklisted under the spamming filter. Besides, adding a secondary IP address helps evade firewalls.

Apart from these, users add secondary or multiple IP addresses in Windows 11 for several other reasons. Now, that you have a basic understanding of the concept, let’s see how you can do that.

How can I add secondary & multiple IP addresses in Windows 11?

1. Via Network Connections

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter ncpa.cpl in the text field, and either click OK or hit Enter to launch the Network Connections window.Launch Network connections to fix Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  2. Now, right-click on the relevant network adapter, and select Properties from the context menu.Network properties
  3. Either double-click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) entry here or select it and click on Properties.Double-click on IPv4 to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  4. Now, select the Use the following IP address and Use the following DNS server addresses options and enter the desired addresses in the fields under both.Use the following IP address
  5. Once done, click on the Advanced button.Advanced to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  6. Next, click on the Add button.Add
  7. You can now enter the IP address and Subnet in the relevant fields here and then click on Add.Type values to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  8. Once done, click on OK at the bottom of every window to save the changes.
  9. Similarly, you can add multiple IP address by clicking on the Add button and entering the other IP’s.

2. Via Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Terminal in the text field at the top, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.Windows Terminal
  2. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.Click Yes
  3. Next, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a new tab.Open Command Prompt to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  4. Next, execute the following command while replacing the NIC (Network Interface Card) name, IP address, and subnet:netsh int ipv4 add address "NIC name" 192.168.21.102 255.255.255.0Add IP address

That’s it! The secondary IP address will now be added, and you can verify the same in the network properties or use the ipconfig /all command.

There are several users who prefer executing commands, rather the going with the conventional GUI (Graphic User Interface) method, and this method will help them do that.

Also, check the next section to find out how to add multiple IP addresses in Windows 11.

3. Add multiple IP addresses using Command Prompt

  1. Launch an elevated Windows Terminal, and then open the Command Prompt tab in it.
  2. You will now have to execute the the following command to automatically add multiple IP addresses while replacing the relevant entries here, as you did earlier:FOR /L %variable IN (Start,Increase/Decrease,Stop) DO netsh interface ipv4 add address "NIC name" IP address (with variable) Subnet
  3. If you want to add the IP addresses 192.168.21.101 to 192.168.21.103 to the required network adapter, here is what the command would look like:FOR /L %x IN (101,1,103) DO netsh interface ipv4 add address "NIC name" 192.168.21.%x 255.255.255.0Execute Netsh command to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  4. The command may take a few seconds to execute, depending on the number of IP addresses to be added, so wait patiently. IP addresses added
  5. Once done, you can check the new IP addresses using the following command:ipconfig /all

This method is somewhat tricky and requires the use of For loop, often used in computing languages. But it will save considerable time when adding multiple IP addresses at once in Windows 11.

How do I remove a secondary IP address in Windows 11?

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter View network connections in the text field, and click on the relevant search result that appears.View network connections
  2. Right-click on the relevant network adapter, and select Properties from the context menu.Properties to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  3. Double-click on the Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) entry to launch its Properties.TCP/IPv4
  4. Now, click on the Advanced button near the bottom.Click Advanced to remove secondary IP address
  5. Finally, select the IP address not required anymore, and click on the Remove buttonRemove secondary IP address
  6. Once done, click on OK at the bottom for every window to save the changes.

The process to remove a secondary IP address is as simple as adding it. But do make sure not to remove a critical address or even enter any random one, since it could lead to problems connecting to the Internet.

How can I hide or mask my IP address on a LAN (Local Area Network)?

There are a couple of arguments in favor of hiding or masking your IP address, but they certainly don’t apply to a large number of users. Many argue that it maintains anonymity and safety, two of the most critical things on the Internet.

Apart from that, certain websites or data are not accessible to the people of a particular country due to geographical restrictions, but by masking the IP address, you can easily access that, since that’s the only way to identify your location on the web.

So, if you are keen on hiding your IP address, check out this guide to learn all the ways you can do it. Though it’s for Windows 10, we have verified that it works just as effectively on the latest iteration.

As you can see, it’s easy to add secondary or multiple IP addresses in Windows 11, and all that you have to do is to check network connection details, and adjust your network settings to do so.

Along with that, you now also know how to remove or hide your IP address. Use this information to make your presence on the web safer and avoid being located or scammed. Also, find out how to connect to a DHCP server in Windows 11.

Tell us your experience of adding a secondary IP address and the need for it, in the comments section below.

More about the topics: IP address, Windows 11