How to Change DNS Server on Windows 10 and 11: Boost Speed & Security

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a critical part of the internet infrastructure, often described as the internet’s phonebook. Whenever you type a website address like rental-server.net into your browser, your computer uses DNS servers to translate that human-friendly name into a numerical IP address that computers understand. By default, your Windows PC automatically uses the DNS server assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, sticking with your default ISP’s DNS isn’t your only option.

Changing your DNS server can offer several benefits, including enhanced online security and potentially faster browsing speeds. Certain third-party DNS services are specifically designed to provide improved security features and performance compared to standard ISP-provided DNS.

This guide will walk you through the process of How To Change Dns Server settings on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. We’ll also introduce you to some reputable third-party DNS providers you might consider using to optimize your internet experience.

Let’s first explore the steps to modify your DNS server settings on your computer. Then, we’ll delve into some popular third-party DNS providers that can offer advantages over your default settings. Please note that the exact steps to change the DNS server differ slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11. We will start with instructions for Windows 10.

How to Change the DNS Settings in Windows 10

The process to change your DNS server on Windows 10 involves navigating through network settings and modifying adapter options. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Access Advanced Network Settings

Begin by opening the Settings app in Windows 10. Click on the “Network & Internet” category. Within the Network & Internet settings, locate the section labeled “Advanced network settings” and click on “Change adapter options.” This will open the Network Connections Control Panel.

2. Open Connection Properties

In the Network Connections window, you will see a list of your network adapters. Right-click on the network connection you want to configure. This could be “Ethernet” for a wired connection or “Wi-Fi” for a wireless connection. From the context menu, select “Properties”.

3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

In the Properties window for your network connection, scroll through the list of items until you find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”. Select this entry by clicking on it once. Then, click the “Properties” button located below the list.

4. Input New DNS Server Addresses

Within the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window, you will see options for IP address and DNS server settings. By default, “Obtain DNS server address automatically” is usually selected. To change your DNS server, select the radio button next to “Use the following DNS server addresses”.

You will now see fields for “Preferred DNS server” and “Alternate DNS server”. The alternate DNS server acts as a backup if the preferred server is unavailable or slow to respond. Enter the IPv4 addresses provided by your chosen third-party DNS service into these fields. For example, if you choose Google Public DNS, you would enter 8.8.8.8 as the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the Alternate DNS server. Once you have entered the addresses, click “OK” in this window and then “Close” in the previous Properties window to save your changes.

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How to Change the DNS Settings in Windows 11

Changing DNS server settings on Windows 11 is a similar process to Windows 10, but with slightly different menu navigation. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to Advanced Network Settings

Open the Settings app in Windows 11. Click on “Network & internet” in the left sidebar. Then, on the Network & internet page, click on “Advanced network settings.”

2. Access Additional Adapter Properties

In the Advanced network settings page, locate the section for “Network adapters.” Click on the entry corresponding to the type of connection you want to modify, either “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi.” On the next screen, select “View additional properties.”

3. Edit DNS Server Settings

On the Properties page for your network adapter, find the “DNS server assignment” section. Click the “Edit” button next to “DNS server assignment.” In the “Edit DNS settings” window, you’ll see a dropdown menu currently set to “Automatic (DHCP).” Change this dropdown to “Manual.” Toggle the switch for “IPv4” to the “On” position. Now you can enter the IP addresses for your “Preferred DNS” and “Alternate DNS” servers in the provided fields. Remember to correctly input the dots in the IP addresses. Once you’ve entered the addresses, click “Save.”

Should You Change the IPv6 Address?

While IPv4 addresses are still widely used, the internet is transitioning to IPv6 due to the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. IPv6 offers a vastly larger address space. You might wonder if you should also change the DNS servers for IPv6.

The answer is, not necessarily. Many ISPs are still in the process of adopting or testing IPv6, or may not fully support it yet.

To check if your ISP supports IPv6, you can visit the Test-IPv6 website using your current internet connection. This website will analyze your connection and tell you if IPv6 is supported. If your ISP does support IPv6, most third-party DNS providers also offer IPv6 addresses. You can configure these in the same settings windows where you changed your IPv4 DNS settings, looking for the IPv6 sections.

Third-Party DNS Providers

Now that you understand how to change your DNS server settings, let’s explore some reputable third-party DNS providers that are worth considering. These providers often offer benefits such as improved speed, enhanced security, and sometimes additional features like content filtering.

Google Public DNS

Google Public DNS is one of the most widely used third-party DNS services globally. It is known for its speed and reliability in resolving domain names to IP addresses. Google’s DNS servers are designed with security in mind, offering protection against DNS spoofing attacks, which attempt to redirect you to malicious websites. Google provides detailed information about the performance and security features of their DNS service on their website, along with an issue tracker and user forums for support.

Google Public DNS Addresses:

IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844

Related Article: Hate Windows 11? Here’s how to make it work more like Windows 10

Cloudflare DNS

Cloudflare DNS is another popular alternative DNS provider that focuses on speed and privacy. Cloudflare claims to be one of the fastest DNS services available. A key differentiator for Cloudflare is their commitment to privacy; they state they do not log your IP address, a practice common among many ISPs which allows them to track your browsing history.

Cloudflare DNS Addresses:

IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001

OpenDNS

OpenDNS, owned by Cisco, offers a range of DNS services, including free options for home users. OpenDNS Home provides basic DNS service, while OpenDNS Family Shield includes content filtering to block adult content, making it suitable for families with children. OpenDNS is known for its reliability and security features.

OpenDNS Home Addresses:

IPv4: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

IPv6: 2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53

OpenDNS Family Shield Addresses:

IPv4: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123

Comodo SecureDNS

Comodo SecureDNS comes from Comodo, a well-known cybersecurity company, making it a strong choice if online security is a primary concern. Comodo SecureDNS aims to protect users from threats like phishing attacks and malware by filtering malicious websites. SecureDNS maintains a real-time blacklist of harmful websites and will warn you if you attempt to access one.

Comodo SecureDNS Addresses:

IPv4: 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20

Related Article: This new Windows feature makes password-hacking attacks much harder

Change Your Router’s DNS Settings

For a more comprehensive approach, you can change the DNS settings directly on your router. This will apply the new DNS settings to all devices connected to your home network, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.

To do this, you will need to access your router’s firmware settings, typically by typing your router’s IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into your web browser. Once logged in, look for network or internet settings and find the DNS server configuration section.

The current DNS setting is likely set to “Obtain DNS automatically from ISP.” Change this to “Manual” or “Use custom DNS servers.” Then, enter the preferred and alternate IPv4 addresses from your chosen DNS provider. Save or apply the new settings in your router’s firmware. Refer to your router’s manual for specific instructions as the interface varies between router models.

Changing your DNS server is a simple yet effective way to potentially improve your internet speed, enhance your online security, and gain more control over your internet experience. Consider trying out one of the third-party providers mentioned to see if it makes a positive difference for you.