Change DNS Settings Easily in Windows 11/10

DNS, or Domain Name System, translates website names such as example.com into IP addresses that computers can understand. Windows normally obtains DNS server addresses automatically from your internet connection, but you can also configure them manually.

Changing DNS settings can be useful when you want to use a different DNS provider, troubleshoot website or connection problems, or configure a specific DNS service on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer.

Windows provides several ways to change DNS settings. You can use the Settings app, Control Panel, or command-line tools. The easiest option for most users is the network settings available in Windows.

Method 1: Change DNS From Windows 11 Settings

Windows 11 provides a direct way to configure DNS for a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
4. Select the network connection you are currently using.
5. Find DNS server assignment.
6. Select Edit.
7. Change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
8. Turn on IPv4.
9. Enter your preferred DNS server address.
10. Enter an alternate DNS server if required.
11. Select Save.

If you also want to configure IPv6 DNS, enable IPv6 and enter the appropriate IPv6 DNS addresses.

After saving the settings, disconnecting and reconnecting to the network can help Windows apply the new configuration.

Method 2: Change DNS Using Control Panel

The traditional Control Panel method works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

ncpa.cpl

3. Press Enter.
4. The Network Connections window will open.
5. Right-click your active network connection.
6. Select Properties.
7. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
8. Select Properties.
9. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
10. Enter the preferred DNS server.
11. Enter the alternate DNS server.
12. Select OK.
13. Select Close.

If you want to configure IPv6 DNS separately, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and configure its DNS addresses.

Method 3: Change DNS for Wi-Fi in Windows 10

Windows 10 uses a slightly different Settings layout.

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi.
4. Select Change adapter options.
5. Right-click the active Wi-Fi connection.
6. Select Properties.
7. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
8. Select Properties.
9. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
10. Enter the DNS addresses.
11. Select OK.
12. Select Close.

The new DNS configuration will apply to that network adapter.

Method 4: Change DNS Using Command Prompt

Advanced users can configure DNS through Command Prompt.

First, open Command Prompt as administrator.

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. Enter the following command to view your network interfaces:

netsh interface show interface

Note the exact name of the active interface, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

You can then configure the DNS server with a command such as:

netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 1.1.1.1

Replace Wi-Fi with your actual interface name and replace the DNS address with the server you want to use.

To configure an alternate DNS server, you can add another server with the appropriate netsh command.

Be careful when entering the interface name because Windows requires it to match the actual adapter name.

Method 5: Change DNS Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides another command-line method for managing DNS configuration.

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. Use PowerShell networking commands to identify the appropriate network adapter and configure its DNS settings.

For example, you can first list network adapters with:

Get-NetAdapter

This helps you identify the adapter name and status.

For more advanced configuration, Windows provides the Set-DnsClientServerAddress command. For example:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")

Replace Wi-Fi with the name of your actual network adapter.

Method 6: Return DNS Settings to Automatic

If manually configured DNS causes problems, you can return Windows to automatic DNS configuration.

In Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. Open the properties of your active connection.
5. Find DNS server assignment.
6. Select Edit.
7. Select Automatic (DHCP).
8. Save the changes.

You can also return to the IPv4 properties through Control Panel and select:

Obtain DNS server address automatically

Windows will then normally obtain DNS information from the network’s DHCP server.

Method 7: Flush the DNS Cache After Changing DNS

After changing DNS servers, clearing the existing DNS cache can help Windows request fresh DNS information.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type:

ipconfig /flushdns

3. Press Enter.

Windows should report that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.

You can then close Command Prompt and try opening the website or service again.

Flushing DNS does not change your DNS server. It only clears cached DNS information stored on the computer.

Method 8: Check the New DNS Configuration

After changing DNS settings, you can verify that Windows is using the configuration you selected.

Open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig /all

Find the active network adapter and look for the DNS Servers entry.

You can also use:

nslookup example.com

The output can show which DNS server is being used for the lookup.

If the expected server does not appear, check the network adapter settings again and make sure you changed the DNS configuration for the active connection.

What DNS Server Should You Use?

There is no single DNS server that is required for every Windows computer.

You can use the DNS service provided automatically by your internet provider or manually configure a public DNS service.

Common public DNS providers include Cloudflare, Google, and Quad9. Their addresses and policies differ, so check the provider’s current documentation before configuring them.

Changing DNS does not increase your internet connection’s maximum bandwidth. Any improvement you experience generally relates to DNS lookup behavior rather than the underlying speed of your internet connection.

Does Changing DNS Improve Internet Speed?

Changing DNS can sometimes make website name lookups feel faster, but it does not increase the bandwidth provided by your internet connection.

The difference depends on factors such as your location, network, DNS provider, caching, and the services you access.

If your internet connection itself is slow, changing DNS alone will not fix the underlying connection problem.

What Happens If DNS Settings Are Incorrect?

Incorrect DNS settings can prevent your computer from resolving website names.

You may still appear to be connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but websites may fail to open.

If this happens, return the DNS configuration to Automatic (DHCP) and test the connection again.

Conclusion

Changing DNS settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is relatively straightforward. Windows 11 users can configure DNS directly through Settings > Network & internet, while Windows 10 users can use the network adapter properties in Control Panel.

Advanced users can also use Command Prompt or PowerShell to configure DNS settings. After changing the server, flushing the DNS cache can help ensure that Windows performs fresh DNS lookups.

If the new configuration causes connection problems, simply return the DNS setting to Automatic (DHCP). Remember that DNS changes affect how domain names are resolved; they do not increase the actual bandwidth of your internet connection.

FAQs

1. How do I change DNS in Windows 11?

Go to Settings > Network & internet, select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, find DNS server assignment, select Edit, choose Manual, enter your DNS servers, and save the changes.

2. How do I change DNS in Windows 10?

Open Network Connections, right-click your active adapter, select Properties, open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and enter your preferred DNS server addresses.

3. How do I reset DNS settings in Windows?

Change the DNS configuration back to Automatic (DHCP) or select Obtain DNS server address automatically in the adapter’s IPv4 properties.

4. Should I flush DNS after changing DNS servers?

It can be useful. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /flushdns to clear cached DNS information.

Quick Summary

• Windows 11 lets you change DNS directly from Network & internet settings.
• Windows 10 can use the network adapter’s IPv4 properties.
• ipconfig /flushdns clears the local DNS cache.
• If manual DNS causes problems, return the connection to Automatic (DHCP).