Change DNS Settings Easily in Windows 11/10

If you’ve ever dealt with slow website loading, connection errors, or random browsing hiccups, there’s a good chance your DNS settings are part of the story. DNS, short for Domain Name System, works like the internet’s phonebook. It translates human-friendly domain names like google.com into IP addresses that your computer actually understands.

By default, your system uses DNS servers provided by your internet service provider. That setup works fine most of the time, but it’s not always the fastest, most secure, or most reliable option. Switching to a better DNS service can noticeably improve browsing speed, reduce latency, and even add an extra layer of privacy.

Changing DNS settings in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is straightforward once you know where to look. 

Let’s do this easily!

Change DNS Settings Easily in Windows 11/10

To change DNS settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your active connection, click Edit DNS settings, switch to Manual, enable IPv4 or IPv6, enter your preferred DNS server addresses, and save the changes. This allows you to use faster or more secure DNS providers instead of your default ISP DNS.

Below is a step-by-step walkthrough that works seamlessly across both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

Start by launching the Settings app, which is the central hub for most system configurations in modern Windows versions. You can do this quickly by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. This shortcut works universally across both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and gets you straight into the settings interface without navigating through menus.

Once you’re in Settings, you’ll see different categories like System, Devices, and Network & Internet. Since DNS is part of your internet configuration, that’s where you need to go next.

If you prefer using the Start menu instead, you can click the Start button, type “Settings,” and open it from the search results. Either way, the goal here is to get into the environment where you can control your network configuration.

Step 2: Navigate to Network and Internet Settings

Inside the Settings window, click on Network & Internet. This section contains all the controls related to your internet connection, whether you’re using WiFi or Ethernet.

In Windows 11, you’ll typically see options like WiFi, Ethernet, VPN, and Proxy listed on the left sidebar. In Windows 10, the layout is slightly different but still very intuitive, with similar categories visible.

At this point, it’s important to identify your active connection type. If you’re connected wirelessly, you’ll be working under WiFi settings. If you’re using a wired connection, you’ll go into Ethernet.

This distinction matters because DNS settings are configured per network adapter, so you want to make sure you’re modifying the one that’s actually in use.

Step 3: Select Your Active Network Connection

Now click on either WiFi or Ethernet, depending on your setup. Once inside, you’ll see details about your connection, including its status and properties.

For WiFi users, click on your currently connected network name to access its properties. For Ethernet users, you’ll usually see your connected network listed directly.

This is where Windows displays all the technical details about your connection, including IP assignment, DNS configuration, and network profile. It’s essentially the control panel for that specific connection.

Take a moment to confirm that you’re working on the correct network. If you have multiple networks saved or multiple adapters installed, picking the wrong one means your DNS changes won’t have any effect.

Step 4: Open DNS Settings Editor

Scroll down until you find the section labeled DNS server assignment. By default, this is usually set to Automatic, meaning your system is using DNS servers provided by your router or ISP.

Click on the Edit button next to this setting. This action opens a dialog box where you can manually configure your DNS settings.

When the editor opens, you’ll see a dropdown menu at the top. This is where you switch from Automatic to Manual configuration. This step is critical because you can’t input custom DNS servers unless you switch to manual mode.

Step 5: Switch to Manual DNS Configuration

In the DNS settings dialog, change the option from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual. Once you do this, additional options will appear for configuring IPv4 and IPv6 DNS settings.

Most users will focus on IPv4, as it’s still the most commonly used protocol. Toggle the IPv4 switch to On. If you’re comfortable with IPv6 and your network supports it, you can configure that as well, but it’s optional.

Once IPv4 is enabled, you’ll see fields where you can enter your preferred DNS server addresses. This is where you define which DNS service your system will use moving forward.

Step 6: Enter Preferred and Alternate DNS Addresses

Now it’s time to input your DNS servers. You’ll typically need two addresses: a Preferred DNS server and an Alternate DNS server.

For example, if you’re using Google DNS, you would enter 8.8.8.8 as the preferred server and 8.8.4.4 as the alternate. If you’re using Cloudflare DNS, you might use 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.

These addresses tell your computer where to send DNS queries. The preferred server is used first, and the alternate acts as a backup if the primary one fails.

Make sure you enter these values correctly. Even a small typo can result in connectivity issues or failure to resolve domain names.

Step 7: Save Changes and Apply Settings

After entering your DNS addresses, click Save to apply the changes. Windows will immediately start using the new DNS servers for your internet connection.

In most cases, the changes take effect instantly. However, if you notice any issues or delays, you can disconnect and reconnect your network or restart your system to ensure everything refreshes properly.

At this point, your DNS configuration is updated, and your system is now using the custom DNS servers you specified.

Step 8: Verify DNS Changes

To confirm that your new DNS settings are active, you can perform a quick check using the Command Prompt.

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all, then press Enter. Look for your active network adapter and check the DNS Servers field. It should display the addresses you entered earlier.

This step isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s a good way to verify that everything is configured correctly and working as expected.

FAQs

What is DNS, and why should I change it

DNS is the system that translates domain names into IP addresses. Changing it can improve browsing speed, enhance privacy, and provide better reliability compared to default ISP DNS servers.

Is it safe to change DNS settings?

Yes, changing DNS settings is completely safe as long as you use trusted DNS providers. Popular services like Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS are widely used and reliable.

Will changing DNS increase internet speed

It can improve website loading times by reducing DNS lookup delays. However, it won’t increase your actual internet bandwidth or download speeds.

Can I revert to the default DNS settings?

Yes, you can easily switch back by setting the DNS configuration to Automatic in the same settings menu. This restores your ISP-provided DNS.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the DNS

Not always. Changes usually apply instantly, but restarting your network connection or system can help if you run into issues.