Configure TCP/IP from the command line

To configure TCP/IP like IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS and WINS addresses and many other options you can use Netsh.exe or Netsh command .

Netsh.exe is a command-line utility that allows you to display or change the network configuration (both local and remote) of a currently running computer. Netsh.exe also provides a scripting feature that allows you to run a group of commands in batch mode against a specified computer. Netsh.exe can also save a configuration script to a text file for archival purposes or to help you configure other servers.

Netsh.exe is available on Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 and above. If you are using Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 you can still use the Netsh command normally.

You can use the Netsh.exe tool to perform the following tasks:

• Interface configuration
• Configure routing protocols.
• Filter configuration.
• Configure routes.
• Configuring remote access for remote routers depends on Windows, these routers are running on the Routing and Remote Access Server service.
• Displays the current running router configuration on any computer
• Use the script feature to run a series of commands in batch mode against a specified router.

What can you do with Netsh.exe

With netsh.exe you can easily view your TCP/IP settings. Type the following command into cmd:

netsh interface ip show config

With Netsh.exe, you can easily configure your computer's IP address and other related TCP/IP settings. For example:

The following command configures an interface named Local Area Connection with a static IP address of 192.168.0.100, its subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, and its default gateway of 192.168.0.1:

netsh interface ip set address name="Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.0.1 1

Other TCP/IP settings:

netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.100 index=1
netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.101 index=2
netsh interface ip set wins "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.100

Netsh.exe is also useful in situations such as when you have a laptop that needs to be re-located between 2 or more offices, while still maintaining a static and specified IP address configuration. With Netsh.exe, you can easily save and restore the appropriate network configuration.

First, connect your laptop to location #1, then manually configure the required settings (like IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS and WINS).

Now, you need to export your current IP settings to a text file. Use the following command:

netsh -c interface dump > c:'location1.txt

When you get to position #2, do the same, just keep the new settings on a different file:

netsh -c interface dump > c:'location2.txt

You can continue with whatever positions you need, but we'll keep it simple and just use 2 as an example.

Now, any time you need to import your IP settings and change it between #1 and #2, just type the following command into cmd:

netsh -f c:'location1.txt

or:

netsh -f c:'location2.txt

You can also use the EXEC parameter instead of -F :

netsh exec c:'location2.txt

Netsh.exe can also be used to configure your Nic to automatically obtain an IP address from a DHCP server:

netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" dhcp

Do you want to configure DNS and WINS addresses from the command line? You can do this. See the example below for DNS:

netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.200

and this for WINS:

netsh interface ip set wins "Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.200

Or if you prefer, you can configure the NIC to automatically retrieve its DNS settings.

As you can see, Netsh.exe has a lot of very useful features. In addition, it has many other valuable options waiting for you to explore.