Set a static IP and add additional IPs on Windows Server

Windows Server VPS templates usually configure the main IP for you. When your provider assigns extra IPs, for an SSL site, a second service or a separate mail IP, you add them to the network adapter yourself. Changing the wrong value cuts RDP, so prepare first.

Before you start

• An administrator RDP session.
• The IP, subnet mask (or prefix), gateway and DNS from your provider, plus the additional IPs.
• The VNC console from your VPS panel open in another tab, so you can fix mistakes if RDP drops.

Check the current configuration

Open PowerShell as administrator:

Get-NetIPConfiguration
Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 | Format-Table InterfaceAlias,IPAddress,PrefixLength

Note the InterfaceAlias, usually Ethernet or Ethernet 2.

Method 1: the graphical interface

1. Press Win+R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
2. Right-click the adapter → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
3. Choose Use the following IP address and enter the IP, subnet mask and default gateway exactly as provided. Enter DNS servers such as 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8.
4. To add more IPs, click Advanced… → under IP addresses click Add…, enter each extra IP with its subnet mask.
5. Click OK on every window. The RDP session may freeze for a few seconds.

Method 2: PowerShell

Add an additional IP to the existing adapter:

New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress 203.0.113.26 -PrefixLength 24

Set DNS servers:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses 1.1.1.1,8.8.8.8

Keep outgoing traffic on the main IP by marking the extra address as not used for sources:

Set-NetIPAddress -IPAddress 203.0.113.26 -SkipAsSource $true

Check afterwards

ipconfig /all
Test-NetConnection 1.1.1.1
Resolve-DnsName mdmhost.com

From your own computer, ping each new IP. Remember Windows Firewall blocks ping by default; use Test-NetConnection IP -Port 3389 instead.

Troubleshooting

• RDP dropped and does not return: log in via VNC and re-enable DHCP or correct the gateway.
• "Duplicate IP" warning: the IP is assigned elsewhere; confirm with support.
• Extra IP unreachable: it must be routed to your VPS by the provider, and the firewall must allow the service on it.

Next steps

• Windows Firewall rule for RDP
• Change the RDP port
• Static IPs on Linux