It does not matter which operating system you are using windows 10 or Windows 11, understanding how to change your DNS server on Windows 11 settings can significantly enhance your experience.
In this article you are going to learn the step-by-step guide of how to Change DNS Server on Windows 11 or how to modify your DNS settings, ensuring a smoother, faster, and more secure online journey.
But before getting started with How to Change DNS Server on Windows 11, you need to understand what is a DNS and why should you change your DNS.
What is a DNS?
DNS is the most fundamental component of Internet infrastructure and it stands for domain name system. You may know that the default language of a computer is zeroes and ones so, by default the communication between the computer and human goes through numerical numbers.
What is the role of DNS in this numerical environment?
Well, The main job of DNS is to translate human-readable domain names such as Google.com into numerical IP addresses (IPv4 and IPV6).
Let me give you another example, think of DNS as a phonebook for the Internet which is helping users to access websites. Instead of remembering a complete IP address, all you have to do is just simply type the name of the website and then go ahead and use the website.
The moment you type a domain name on the Internet, DNS starts working. It is going to take the name to the corresponding IP address allowing the devices to connect to the server and load the request content.
If there would not be a DNS, you would have to simply remember the IP addresses for each website each time that you visit. Now that would be extremely inconvenient.
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Why change the DNS Server in the first place?
Your ISP provider is going to provide you with the DNS automatically so you won’t have to configure it manually. However, there are moments when you may want to change your DNS for a better experience. Here are some of the reasons that I noticed from the users across the Internet that they wanted to change their DNS.
- Bypass restrictions: Each country has its own rules and regulations to allow which type of content in their country. If you want to bypass those restrictions you can just simply change your DNS.
- Fast Internet: Sometimes if your Internet connection is very slow, changing your DNS server to foster one can help improve the Internet speed. This will reduce buffering when streaming videos or browsing websites.
- Improved Security: There are also DNS providers who provide enhanced security features such as protection against phishing and malware attacks. For example, if you have seriously serious data then it is recommended to choose or purchase a DNS server.
Change DNS Server on Windows 11/10
In Windows 11/10, there are several ways and methods for How to Change DNS Server on Windows 11 that you can use to change DNS server settings. Below you will find the step-by-step process of changing the DNS using the Control Panel, Settings app, and Terminal.
Use Control Panel to DNS Server
To change the DNS server on Windows 11/10 using the Control Panel, follow these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel by typing Control Panel in the search bar, when it appears open it.
2. Following the above step, change the control view to category and then click on Network and Internet, and then select Network and Sharing Center.
3. After that on the left panel, click on Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click on the network adapter you want to change the DNS server for and select Properties.
5. Find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the Wi-Fi properties and double-click on it.
6. Now you have to choose select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. In my case, I will be entering the Public DNS of Google.
8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 are the Public and alternate DNS of Google.
7. Click OK to save the changes.
That’s it! You have successfully changed the DNS server on your Windows 11/10 computer using the Control Panel.
Change DNS using the Settings App
To change the DNS server in Windows 11/10 using the Settings App, follow these steps:
1. You need to open the settings app in your Windows 11/10 app however I would prefer using the shortcut called Windows button + I.
2. After the settings app in Windows 11 opens, click on Network & Internet.
3. You have to choose from the Ethernet or Wi-Fi network connection that you want to modify. In my case, I will be using the Wi-Fi since I am connected using a laptop.
4. Following the above step, click on the Properties button.
5. I need you to Scroll down to the DNS section and click on the Edit button (In Windows 11 it is written as DNS server assignment).
6. In the edit network settings, click on the drop-down menu and choose manual.
7. After that toggle to turn on the IPv4 and start entering your preferred and alternate DNS server.
8. Finally click on the Save button to apply the changes.
How to use Terminal to change DNS in Windows 11?
1. To change the DNS server in Windows 11 using the terminal, the first step is to launch the terminal as administrator. You can launch it from the search icon by typing Terminal> followed by right-clicking and choosing Run as Administrator.
2. Once the terminal has launched, I need you to type ipconfig to see the current networking configuration. I want to change the DNS of the Wi-Fi adapter, so look for it.
3. Following the above steps, I need you to execute the below command in the terminal.
netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8To set the alternate DNS, execute the below command.
netsh interface ip add dns name="Wi-Fi" 8.8.4.4 index=2
To check if the changes have been applied, type ipconfig /all
How to Change DNS in Windows 11 using PowerShell?
The final method that you should use to change the DNS on Windows 11 is using Powershell. Powershell is more powerful compared to CMD, so you should know how to change the DNS using PowerShell.
Steps to change DNS in Windows 11 using PowerShell:
1. I need you to run PowerShell as Administrator.
2. First, you have to get the current network integrations and the adapter that you want to change its DNS. For instance, I want to change the DNS in the Wi-Fi so, I will be looking for WiFi and its interface Index.
To get the information, I need you to execute the below command.
Get-NetIPConfiguration
2. Following the above steps, I need you to execute the below command.
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 21 -ServerAddresses 8.8.8.8
For the alternate DNS, use the below command.
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 21 -ServerAddresses 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
FAQ
Can changing DNS servers affect internet speed?
Yes, switching to faster DNS servers can improve internet speed by reducing the time it takes to resolve domain names and connect to websites.
Are there any risks associated with changing DNS servers?
Generally, changing DNS servers is safe. However, choose reputable DNS providers and be cautious of potential phishing attacks.
What are common reasons to change DNS servers?
Common reasons include improving security against cyber threats, enhancing internet speed, bypassing internet restrictions, and accessing geo-restricted content.
How do I view my current DNS settings on Windows 11?
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator and type ipconfig /all to view your current DNS settings.
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