Uncover Your Device Identity: Locating Your Computer’s IP Address

Have you ever asked yourself how do I find the IP of my computer when setting up network access or troubleshooting connectivity? Whether you are an IT manager overseeing corporate endpoints, a cybersecurity professional ensuring device compliance, or a CEO wanting to understand your infrastructure, knowing how to find the IP of your computer is foundational. In this comprehensive article we’ll cover why this matters, how to locate both your internal (private) and external (public) addresses, methods across multiple platforms, advanced tips for enterprises, and best practices to keep your network secure.

Why Knowing How to Find the IP of My Computer Matters

An IP address acts as a unique label that identifies your device on a network. Understanding this information enables you to:

• Diagnose connectivity or address-conflict issues within a local network.
• Manage remote access, VPNs, or device monitoring systems.
• Support endpoint security by confirming correct network assignment and monitoring for anomalies.
• Ensure proper configuration of firewalls, routers and network services.
  In short, when you know how to find the IP of your computer, you gain visibility into your network environment—an essential capability for modern professionals.

Types of IP Addresses and Their Uses

Before diving into how to find the IP of your computer, let’s review the types of IP addresses you’ll encounter.

Private (Local) IP Address

This is the address assigned to your device by a router or local network (for example 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x). It lets other devices on your network communicate with your computer.

Public (External) IP Address

This is the address your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns to your network. Devices on the internet see this address when you connect.

IPv4 vs IPv6

• IPv4 uses four sets of numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.2).
• IPv6 uses a longer alphanumeric format separated by colons.
  Making sense of both helps you determine how your computer is identified on modern networks.

How to Find the IP of My Computer on Windows

Here are several reliable methods to discover your computer’s IP address when using Windows.

Method 1: Using the Settings App (Windows 10/11)

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet → Status → Properties (for Wi-Fi) or Ethernet → Properties.
3. Scroll to the section showing IPv4 address (and IPv6 if applicable).
   This method is intuitive and useful for everyday users.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter (or open PowerShell).
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
3. Look for your active adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and find the IPv4 Address line.
   This is a fast method—especially useful for IT professionals.

Method 3: Using Task Manager or System Information

• Open Task Manager → Performance → Ethernet/Wi-Fi to check your connectivity and see local IP information.
• Alternatively, run msinfo32 to open System Information and locate network adapter details including IP address.
  These methods offer additional context such as network speed and adapter name.

Method 4: Finding Your Public IP Address

Your computer might show your local IP, but to find your external address:

• Open a web browser and search “What is my IP”.
• The result will display your public IP—the one visible on the internet.
  Knowing both your public and local IPs helps you secure and manage network access.

How to Find the IP of My Computer on macOS and Mobile Devices

Not just Windows—other platforms also let you reveal IP addresses easily.

On macOS

1. Click the Apple menu → System Settings → Network.
2. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Under “Status” you’ll see the IP address listed as IPv4 or IPv6.
   You can also open Terminal and run ifconfig to view detailed information.

On Mobile (iOS / Android)

• iOS: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap the connected network → Scroll to “IPv4 Address” or “IPv6 Address”.
• Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Tap the network name → Advanced → IP address.
  These steps help you when mobile devices are part of your endpoint ecosystem.

On a Router (Device List)

If you manage a network:

• Log into your router’s admin panel.
• Navigate to the section listing connected devices (often under “Attached Devices” or “Client List”).
• Find your computer’s name and its corresponding IP address.
  This is useful when performing device audits or mapping network assets.

Using IP Address for Troubleshooting and Security

Once you know how to find the IP of your computer, you can apply that knowledge for practical operational and security use.

Use Cases for Troubleshooting

• Identify IP conflicts when two devices share the same address and encounter network issues.
• Determine which device is causing high traffic or unusual behaviour by matching IP with device name.
• Configure port forwarding or remote access for specific IP addresses or devices.

Use Cases for Cybersecurity & Endpoint Management

• Ensure devices are on correct subnets and no rogue devices have entered the network.
• Integrate with endpoint monitoring tools to correlate IP addresses with security events.
• Use IP information to define firewall rules or access controls for corporate VPNs or remote work.
  By linking device identity (IP address) with monitoring systems, you strengthen visibility and control.

Privacy Considerations and Best Practices

Knowing your computer’s IP is powerful, but it also comes with responsibilities—especially regarding privacy and security.

• Avoid sharing your public IP address publicly; it can assist malicious actors in identifying your network.
• Use VPNs or proxies when connecting from public Wi-Fi hotspots to mask your actual IP.
• Regularly check which devices are using your network and assign static IPs or use DHCP reservation for managed endpoints.
• Document authorized IP ranges and use network access controls to minimise risk from unauthorized connections.

Advanced Techniques: Scripted and Batch Methods for IT Professionals

For administrators managing fleets of devices, manual checks aren’t scalable—these techniques help.

PowerShell Script to Find IP Address Across Endpoints

Use a command such as:

Get-NetIPConfiguration | Where { $_.IPv4Address -ne $null } | Select InterfaceAlias, IPv4Address

This lists each interface and its IPv4 address on a device, which can then be exported for audit.

Use Network Scanners for Asset Discovery

Network scanning tools like Nmap allow you to enumerate all IP addresses in your network segment, detect unknown devices and map configurations automatically. This supports asset inventory and compliance.

Automate Documentation

• Export IP address lists into spreadsheets or device management systems.
• Track changes over time and correlate with device names, MAC addresses and user assignments.
  These practices turn “how do I find the IP of my computer” from a one-off question into a managed process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there two IP addresses listed for my computer?
A1: Your computer may have multiple network adapters (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN). Each adapter receives its own IP address. You should identify the active one used for your current connection.

Q2: What’s the difference between my local IP and my public IP?
A2: Your local IP is assigned by your router within your private network. Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and visible on the internet. Knowing both helps when setting up remote access or troubleshooting connectivity.

Q3: Can my IP address change?
A3: Yes. If your device uses DHCP, your local IP may change when you restart or reconnect. Your public IP may also change unless you have a static address from your ISP. For consistent remote access, consider using DHCP reservation or dynamic DNS.

Q4: Should I share my IP address?
A4: Be cautious. Sharing your public IP publicly can expose your network to risk. In professional contexts, limit IP exposure and use VPNs or secure tunnels for sensitive connections.

Q5: How can I locate IP addresses on remote devices or across an entire network?
A5: Use endpoint management tools or run scripted commands (via PowerShell, SSH) on remote machines. Also, deploy network discovery tools to map devices and track IP assignments across your infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

When you ask how do I find the IP of my computer, you start a vital journey into network awareness, device management, and security oversight. Whether you’re troubleshooting a home network or managing corporate endpoints across multiple locations, knowing how to locate and interpret IP addresses gives you control and visibility.

From locating local IPs on Windows, macOS or mobile devices, to querying your public address and building large-scale documentation processes, this knowledge supports your operational readiness and cybersecurity strategy.

Start your free trial now and strengthen your device management and network visibility with Comodo’s unified endpoint platform—ensuring every computer’s IP address and security status are under your control.