How to Configure Windows as a DHCP Server
6 min read
Set up Windows Server DHCP role to assign IP addresses automatically. Create scopes, reservations, configure options and manage leases via PowerShell.
Windows Server includes a full DHCP server role. Here's how to install it, create scopes and manage it entirely from PowerShell.
Install DHCP Server Role (Windows Server)
# Install DHCP role with management tools
Install-WindowsFeature DHCP -IncludeManagementTools
# Post-install: authorize the server in Active Directory
Add-DhcpServerInDC -DnsName "DHCPServer.domain.com" -IPAddress 192.168.1.10
# Verify
Get-DhcpServerInDC
Create a DHCP Scope
# Add scope (address pool)
Add-DhcpServerv4Scope -Name "Office LAN" `
-StartRange "192.168.1.100" `
-EndRange "192.168.1.200" `
-SubnetMask "255.255.255.0" `
-State Active `
-LeaseDuration "8.00:00:00" # 8 days
# Configure scope options
Set-DhcpServerv4OptionValue -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" `
-Router "192.168.1.1" ` # default gateway
-DnsServer "192.168.1.2","8.8.8.8" `
-DomainName "company.local"
# Verify
Get-DhcpServerv4Scope
Exclusion Ranges (Reserve IPs for Static Devices)
# Exclude a range from DHCP assignment
Add-DhcpServerv4ExclusionRange -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" `
-StartRange "192.168.1.100" `
-EndRange "192.168.1.110"
# View exclusions
Get-DhcpServerv4ExclusionRange -ScopeId "192.168.1.0"
IP Reservations (Always Same IP for Specific Device)
# Reserve IP for a specific MAC address
Add-DhcpServerv4Reservation -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" `
-IPAddress "192.168.1.50" `
-ClientId "AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF" `
-Name "Printer-1" `
-Description "Office LaserJet"
# View all reservations
Get-DhcpServerv4Reservation -ScopeId "192.168.1.0"
# Remove reservation
Remove-DhcpServerv4Reservation -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" -IPAddress "192.168.1.50"
View Active Leases
# All current leases
Get-DhcpServerv4Lease -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" |
Select-Object IPAddress, ClientId, HostName, LeaseExpiryTime, AddressState
# Find device by hostname
Get-DhcpServerv4Lease -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" | Where-Object {$_.HostName -like "*printer*"}
# Find by IP
Get-DhcpServerv4Lease -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" -IPAddress "192.168.1.105"
Manage Scopes
# Disable a scope (stops assigning from it)
Set-DhcpServerv4Scope -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" -State InActive
# Enable scope
Set-DhcpServerv4Scope -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" -State Active
# Delete scope and all leases
Remove-DhcpServerv4Scope -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" -Force
# View all scopes with statistics
Get-DhcpServerv4ScopeStatistics | Select-Object ScopeId, Free, InUse, Reserved
DHCP Failover (High Availability)
# Configure DHCP failover between two servers
Add-DhcpServerv4Failover -Name "DHCPFailover" `
-PartnerServer "DHCPServer2" `
-ScopeId "192.168.1.0" `
-Mode HotStandby `
-ReservePercent 5 `
-MaxClientLeadTime "00:01:00" `
-SharedSecret "P@ssw0rd123"
Backup and Restore DHCP Database
# Backup DHCP configuration
Backup-DhcpServer -Path "C:\DHCP-Backup"
# Restore on same or new server
Restore-DhcpServer -Path "C:\DHCP-Backup"
Summary
Install role with Install-WindowsFeature DHCP. Create scope with Add-DhcpServerv4Scope and configure gateway/DNS with Set-DhcpServerv4OptionValue. Use reservations for printers and servers. View leases with Get-DhcpServerv4Lease. Backup with Backup-DhcpServer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Windows Server for DHCP or will Windows 10/11 work?
Windows 10/11 doesn't include the full DHCP Server role. For small home labs, use a router's built-in DHCP. For production, use Windows Server, pfSense, or a dedicated DHCP appliance.
How do I find which device has a specific IP on the network?
Get-DhcpServerv4Lease -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" | Where-Object {$_.IPAddress -eq "192.168.1.105"}
Shows hostname and MAC address for that IP.
DHCP scope is full and devices can't connect — how to expand it?
# Extend the scope range
Set-DhcpServerv4Scope -ScopeId "192.168.1.0" -EndRange "192.168.1.250"