Changing DNS servers in Windows 10 and 11 can significantly improve your internet experience by enhancing privacy, speed, and security. This comprehensive guide covers all methods, from the traditional Control Panel approach to the modern Settings app with DNS over HTTPS (DoH) support, ensuring you can configure DNS regardless of your Windows version or preference.

🎯 Why Change DNS?

Privacy: ISP DNS servers log all your browsing
Speed: Public DNS often faster than ISP
Security: Block malware and phishing domains
Reliability: Avoid ISP DNS outages
Content Access: Bypass DNS-based blocking

Recommended DNS Providers

Provider	Primary DNS	Secondary DNS	DoH Support	Features	Privacy
TorGuard DNS	10.8.0.1	10.8.0.2	✅	No logs, VPN users	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1	1.0.0.1	✅	Fastest, malware option	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quad9	9.9.9.9	149.112.112.112	✅	Malware blocking	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NextDNS	45.90.28.0	45.90.30.0	✅	Custom filtering	⭐⭐⭐⭐
AdGuard	94.140.14.14	94.140.15.15	✅	Ad blocking	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Google	8.8.8.8	8.8.4.4	✅	Fast, reliable	⭐⭐

Method 1: Windows 11 Settings App (Newest)

Recommended: This method supports DNS over HTTPS for encrypted queries!

For Wi-Fi Connections:

Press Win + I to open Settings
Navigate to Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
Click Hardware properties
Click Edit next to DNS server assignment
Change from Automatic to Manual
Toggle IPv4 on
Enter DNS servers:
- Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
- Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
- DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)
Click Save

For Ethernet Connections:

Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet
Click your Ethernet connection
Follow same steps as Wi-Fi above

Method 2: Windows 10 Settings App

Windows 10 version 2004 and later:

Open Settings (Win + I)
Go to Network & Internet
Select Status → Properties
Under IP settings, click Edit
Change to Manual
Enable IPv4 and enter DNS servers
Save changes

Method 3: Control Panel (Traditional)

Step 1: Open Network and Sharing Center

Right-click network icon in system tray → Open Network and Sharing Center:

Windows 10 Network and Sharing Center — Access Network and Sharing Center

Step 2: Select Your Connection

Click on your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet):

Windows 10 connection properties — Click Properties to modify settings

Step 3: Configure IPv4 DNS

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Click Properties
Select Use the following DNS server addresses
Enter your chosen DNS servers
Click OK to save

Windows 10 DNS configuration — Enter DNS server addresses

Method 4: Command Line (PowerShell/CMD)

PowerShell (Administrator):

# View current DNS servers
Get-DnsClientServerAddress

# Set DNS for Wi-Fi
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ServerAddresses 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1

# Set DNS for Ethernet
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses 9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112

# Reset to automatic
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ResetServerAddresses

Command Prompt (Administrator):

# Set primary DNS
netsh interface ip set dns "Wi-Fi" static 1.1.1.1

# Add secondary DNS
netsh interface ip add dns "Wi-Fi" 1.0.0.1 index=2

# Reset to DHCP
netsh interface ip set dns "Wi-Fi" dhcp

Configure DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

🔒 Encrypt Your DNS Queries

DNS over HTTPS prevents ISPs and attackers from seeing your DNS queries.

Windows 11 DoH Setup:

Use Method 1 above
When entering DNS servers, select:
- DNS over HTTPS: On (automatic template)
- Or: On (manual template) and enter DoH URL

DoH URLs for Popular Providers:

Provider	DoH URL
Cloudflare	https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query
Quad9	https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query
NextDNS	https://dns.nextdns.io/YOUR_ID
AdGuard	https://dns.adguard.com/dns-query

IPv6 DNS Configuration

For networks with IPv6 support:

Provider	Primary IPv6	Secondary IPv6
Cloudflare	2606:4700:4700::1111	2606:4700:4700::1001
Quad9	2620:fe::fe	2620:fe::9
Google	2001:4860:4860::8888	2001:4860:4860::8844

Verify DNS Configuration

Method 1: Windows Commands

# Check current DNS servers
nslookup
> server

# Test DNS resolution
nslookup google.com

# View all DNS settings
ipconfig /all

Method 2: Online Tests

DNS Leak Test - Check which DNS you're using
Cloudflare Browser Check - Verify DoH is working
IPLeak.net - Comprehensive DNS/IP test

Clear DNS Cache

After changing DNS, clear the cache:

# Flush DNS cache
ipconfig /flushdns

# Verify cache is cleared
ipconfig /displaydns

# Additional reset commands
netsh winsock reset
nbtstat -R
nbtstat -RR

Per-Application DNS (Advanced)

Configure specific DNS for certain apps:

Use browser with built-in DoH (Firefox, Chrome, Edge)
Configure proxy with custom DNS
Use VPN with specific DNS servers

Firefox DoH Configuration:

Settings → General → Network Settings
Enable "DNS over HTTPS"
Choose provider or custom

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

DNS Not Changing:

Run commands as Administrator
Disable IPv6 if not needed
Check for VPN DNS override
Verify no Group Policy restrictions

Slow DNS Resolution:

Test different DNS servers
Use DNS benchmark tool
Check for ISP interference
Try DNS over HTTPS

DNS Leaks with VPN:

Enable DNS leak protection in VPN
Use VPN provider's DNS
Configure firewall rules
Test at dnsleaktest.com

Router DNS vs Device DNS

Configuration	Pros	Cons
Router DNS	• All devices protected • Single configuration • Guest networks covered	• Less flexibility • Router limitations • No DoH on most routers
Device DNS	• Per-device control • DoH support • Easy testing	• Must configure each device • Can be overridden • Mobile devices roam

DNS Security Best Practices

Use DoH when possible: Encrypts DNS queries
Avoid ISP DNS: Often logged and censored
Test regularly: DNS settings can revert
Multiple DNS servers: Add redundancy
VPN DNS: Use VPN provider's DNS when connected
DNSSEC: Verify DNS responses aren't tampered

💡 Pro Tip: DNS Benchmark

Use Steve Gibson's DNS Benchmark tool to find the fastest DNS servers for your location:

Download from GRC.com
Run benchmark test
Choose fastest servers
Configure as shown above

Need DNS Configuration Help?

Our support team can help you choose the best DNS servers for your needs and troubleshoot any configuration issues.

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Changing DNS in Windows 10/11 - All Methods