Set or Change DNS Provider in Edge Browser
Your web browser relies on a Domain Name System (DNS) to translate website names into IP addresses that computers understand. Every time you type a website address like www.example.com, a DNS service helps your browser locate the correct server. By default, Microsoft Edge uses your network’s DNS provider, which is often supplied by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, you can manually change the DNS provider in Edge to improve privacy, security, and sometimes even website loading speed.
Microsoft Edge includes a feature called Secure DNS, which encrypts DNS requests using DNS over HTTPS (DoH). This makes it more difficult for third parties to monitor the websites you visit. It also lets you choose from several trusted DNS providers or enter a custom DNS service if you prefer.
Let’s learn the right way, so you can safely set or change the DNS provider in Microsoft Edge within just a few minutes.
Set or Change DNS Provider in Edge Browser
To set or change the DNS provider in Microsoft Edge, open Edge Settings, go to Privacy, Search, and Services, scroll to the Security section, enable Use secure DNS to specify how to look up the network address for websites, and select your preferred DNS provider from the available list or enter a custom provider. Save the settings and restart the browser if necessary.
Changing the DNS provider helps improve online privacy, enhances security through encrypted DNS requests, and may also provide faster domain name resolution depending on the provider you choose.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge Settings
Start by launching Microsoft Edge on your Windows PC. Once the browser opens, look toward the upper-right corner of the window. You will see the three horizontal dots that represent the browser menu.
Click the three dots to open the menu. A list of options will appear. Scroll toward the bottom and select Settings. This opens the main settings page, where you can customize nearly every feature of the browser.
If you’re having trouble finding the Settings page, you can also type edge://settings into the address bar and press Enter. This shortcut takes you directly to the browser settings without navigating through the menu.
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Settings page. The categories listed on the left side help organize all browser options, making it easier to locate the feature you want to change.
Step 2: Open the Privacy, Search, and Services Section
Inside the Settings page, look at the navigation panel on the left side of the screen. Click Privacy, Search, and Services.
This section contains settings related to your browsing privacy, website permissions, tracking prevention, security, and search features. Since Secure DNS is a security feature, it is located here.
Scroll down slowly until you reach the Security section. Depending on your browser version and screen size, you may need to scroll for a little while before you find it.
The Security section includes several important options that help protect your browsing experience, including Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, enhanced security settings, and Secure DNS.
Step 3: Enable Secure DNS
Once you’ve located the Security section, find the option labeled Use secure DNS to specify how to look up the network address for websites.
If this option is turned off, click the switch to enable it.
Enabling Secure DNS tells Microsoft Edge to use DNS over HTTPS (DoH) whenever possible. Unlike traditional DNS requests, which may be visible to your network or ISP, DoH encrypts DNS lookups before sending them to the DNS server.
This extra layer of encryption helps protect your browsing activity from interception while improving the security of your internet connection.
If the feature is already enabled, you can continue to the next step without making any changes here.
Step 4: Choose a Preferred DNS Provider
After enabling Secure DNS, you’ll notice a drop-down menu that lets you select how Edge chooses the DNS provider.
You can allow Edge to use your current provider if it supports Secure DNS, or you can manually select a trusted DNS service.
When you choose to specify a provider, Edge displays several well-known DNS providers that support encrypted DNS.
Select the provider that best matches your needs. Many users choose services that focus on speed, privacy, or security.
Changing the provider only affects DNS requests made through Microsoft Edge using Secure DNS. It does not automatically change the DNS settings for other browsers or applications installed on your computer.
Step 5: Add a Custom Secure DNS Provider
If your preferred DNS provider isn’t listed, Edge also lets you enter a custom Secure DNS service.
Choose the option to enter a custom provider. You’ll be asked to provide the Secure DNS template URL supplied by your chosen DNS service.
Carefully copy the correct DNS over HTTPS template from your DNS provider’s official documentation and paste it into the required field.
Double-check the URL before saving. An incorrect template may prevent Secure DNS from working correctly.
Once you’ve entered the information, Edge will begin using the custom provider whenever possible.
Step 6: Restart Edge and Verify the Changes
Although Microsoft Edge usually applies the new DNS settings immediately, restarting the browser ensures everything is refreshed properly.
Close every Edge window completely and then open the browser again.
Visit a few websites to make sure everything loads normally. If websites open without errors, your new DNS provider is working correctly.
If you experience connection issues after changing providers, simply return to the Secure DNS settings and choose another provider or restore the default option.
This flexibility makes it easy to experiment until you find the provider that offers the best balance of performance and privacy.
Additional Tips
Always use a trusted Secure DNS provider that supports DNS over HTTPS.
Remember that changing the DNS provider inside Microsoft Edge affects only the browser. Other applications continue using your system’s DNS settings unless you change them separately.
Keep Microsoft Edge updated to ensure you have access to the latest privacy and security improvements.
If certain websites stop loading after changing DNS providers, try switching to another provider or temporarily returning to the default settings to determine whether the issue is DNS-related.
Avoid using unknown DNS providers unless you trust the organization operating the service.
Restarting the browser after changing important settings can help ensure the new configuration works properly.
FAQs
Does changing the DNS provider make Edge faster?
It can. Some DNS providers respond more quickly than others, which may slightly reduce the time needed to resolve website addresses. However, your internet speed still depends mainly on your network connection.
What is Secure DNS?
Secure DNS uses DNS over HTTPS (DoH) to encrypt DNS requests, helping improve your online privacy and protecting your browsing activity from unauthorized monitoring.
Will changing the DNS provider affect my entire computer?
No. Changing the Secure DNS provider within Microsoft Edge only affects DNS lookups performed by the browser. Other apps continue using your operating system’s DNS settings unless those settings are changed separately.
Can I switch back to the default DNS provider?
Yes. Simply return to the Secure DNS settings in Edge and choose the default option or disable Secure DNS if you no longer want to use a custom provider.
Is it safe to use a custom DNS provider?
Yes, provided you choose a reputable provider that supports DNS over HTTPS. Always use the official Secure DNS template supplied by the provider.
Why can’t I see the Secure DNS option?
If the feature is missing, make sure you’re using the latest version of Microsoft Edge. Older browser versions may not include all Secure DNS settings.
Summary
Changing the DNS provider in Microsoft Edge is a simple way to improve your browsing privacy, security, and potentially your browsing performance. By enabling Secure DNS, you ensure that DNS requests are encrypted using DNS over HTTPS, reducing the chances of your browsing activity being monitored.
Whether you select one of Edge’s built-in providers or configure a custom Secure DNS service, the entire process takes only a few minutes. Following the steps in this guide allows even first-time users to safely update their browser’s DNS settings and enjoy a more secure browsing experience.