Configuring network settings on a Windows machine is an essential task for ensuring proper connectivity and network performance. This article will guide you through the process of configuring network settings using both the graphical interface and command-line tools available in Windows.

Configuring Network Settings via Control Panel

1. Access Network and Sharing Center:

   • Open the Control Panel.
   • Navigate to "Network and Internet" and then "Network and Sharing Center."

2. Change Adapter Settings:

   • Click on "Change adapter settings" on the left sidebar.
   • Right-click on the network adapter you wish to configure and select "Properties."

3. Configure TCP/IP Settings:

   • Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."
   • Here, you can set a static IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers if needed.

4. Save Changes:

   • After configuring the settings, click "OK" and then "Close" to apply the changes.

Configuring Network Settings via Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt:

   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

2. View Current Network Configuration:

   • Use the command ipconfig to display the current network configuration.

3. Set a Static IP Address:

   • Use the netsh command to configure a static IP address. Replace the placeholders with your actual network details:

     netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet" static 192.168.1.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

4. Set DNS Servers:

   • Configure DNS servers using the following command:

     netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet" static 8.8.8.8
     netsh interface ip add dns name="Ethernet" 8.8.4.4 index=2

5. Revert to DHCP:

   • If you need to revert back to DHCP, use these commands:

     netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet" source=dhcp
     netsh interface ip set dns name="Ethernet" source=dhcp

Configuring Network Settings via PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell:

   • Press Win + X and select "Windows PowerShell" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" for elevated privileges.

2. View Network Configuration:

   • Use the command Get-NetIPConfiguration to view current settings.

3. Set a Static IP Address:

   • Use the New-NetIPAddress cmdlet to set a static IP address:

     New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress 192.168.1.100 -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway 192.168.1.1

4. Set DNS Servers:

   • Configure DNS using the Set-DnsClientServerAddress cmdlet:

     Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses ("8.8.8.8","8.8.4.4")

5. Revert to DHCP:

   • Use the Remove-NetIPAddress cmdlet to remove the static IP and revert to DHCP:

     Remove-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -Confirm:$false

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and configure network settings on a Windows machine using both the graphical interface and command-line tools.