DNS turns names like example.com into the numeric addresses computers use. Windows normally uses DNS from your router or internet provider, but you can change it to another provider for reliability, speed, filtering, or troubleshooting.
These steps work for Wi-Fi and Ethernet on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Does This Affect You?
Changing DNS is useful when websites resolve slowly, some sites do not load, your ISP DNS is unreliable, or a network administrator asks you to use specific DNS servers.
Change DNS in Settings
- Open Settings > Network & Internet.
- Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then open the active connection.
- Find DNS server assignment and click Edit.
- Change from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4. Enter preferred and alternate DNS addresses, such as 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare, or 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google.
- Click Save.
Change DNS in Control Panel
- Right-click Start and open Network Connections, or open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change adapter settings.
- Right-click the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and choose Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the preferred and alternate servers.
- Click OK and close the windows.
DNS Options and Notes
Popular Public DNS Choices
Cloudflare uses 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Google Public DNS uses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Quad9 uses 9.9.9.9 and can block known malicious domains.
Change DNS on the Router
Changing DNS on your router applies the setting to every device on the network. Look in the router admin page under WAN, Internet, or similar settings.
Switch Back to Automatic
Return to the same screen and select Automatic (DHCP) or Obtain DNS server address automatically to use your router or ISP DNS again.
DNS over HTTPS
Windows 11 supports DNS over HTTPS when the DNS provider supports it. Enable it from the same DNS edit screen for encrypted DNS lookups.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Change TCP/IP settings
- Cloudflare: Set up 1.1.1.1 on Windows
- Google Public DNS: Configure network settings