Internet Protocol version 6, also known as IPv6, is the successor to the current Internet Protocol IPv4. It is set to eventually replace IPv4 as the standard protocol, as it increases the number of available IP addresses and even improves the routing capabilities of IPv4. IPv6 uses 128-bit internet addresses as opposed to the 32-bit addresses used by IPv4, which essentially means that the latest protocol can support 2^128 internet addresses, which is a huge number to say the least. We’ll eventually have to switch to IPv6, as we’ve run out of IP addresses supported by IPv4. However, IPv6 has its fair share of disadvantages. The new Internet Protocol has security flaws that essentially open up the possibilities for attackers to infiltrate your network. In addition, addresses supported by IPv6 include hardware MAC addresses, which can be a major concern when it comes to privacy. Since the usage of IPv6 is extremely low, you can disable it if you are worried about its current flaws. So, if you are interested, let’s have a look How to disable IPv6 in Windows 10:
Disable IPv6 in Windows 10
Note: I was able to successfully disable IPv6 for a network on my PC running Windows 10, but the procedure is similar for systems running older versions of Windows like Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
To turn off IPv6, go to the Control Panel on your Windows 10 PC and follow these steps to get it done without any hassle:
- Once in the Control Panel, click on it. “Network and Internet” option in the left pane.
- In the next menu, “Network and sharing center” which is pretty much the first option displayed.
- Now, click “Change adapter settings” to make changes to your network.
- Once done, right click on network you want to disable IPv6 and “Properties”.
- Now a new window will open on your screen and scroll down a bit and you will see the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) option. To disable or turn it off, simply uncheck the box right next to it and click on it OK To save your settings
That’s pretty much all you need to disable IPv6 for a network on your system. However, if you have set up more than one network, Disable IPv6 for each individually.
SEE ALSO: IPv4 and IPv6: The Future of Internet Protocols
Disable IPv6 on Windows PCs to Fix Connection Issues
If you’re worried about IPv6-related security vulnerabilities or are experiencing connectivity issues on your computer, it’s okay to disable the newest protocol, as IPv4 is still the dominant protocol used by the majority of servers worldwide. However, it is worth noting that the tides will change and IPv6 will eventually become the dominant protocol within two years despite its slow adoption rate. So, have you already disabled IPv6 for a network on your computer? Let us know the specific reasons by pulling your valuable feedback in the comments section below.
