How to Change DNS Servers IP in Windows 11 and 10?

Domain Name System or DNS is the backbone of internet. It works like a telephone directory and helps to map the numerical IP addresses to website addresses. Your computer by default uses the DNS servers from the Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, sometimes changing the DNS server address is necessary to correct the IP related problems like resolving host issue in browsers. Using proper DNS servers will help the sites to load faster in all the browsers. This article explains the step by step process of adding public DNS to your network settings in Windows 11 computers. In addition, we will also explain the process in Windows 10, 8 and 7. If you are also using Mac, learn more on how to change DNS settings in macOS.

Change DNS in Windows 11

Follow the below instructions if you are using Windows 11.

• Right click on Start button on the taskbar and select “Settings” option.

• Go to “Network & internet” section and click on “Wi-Fi” option.

• On the next screen, click on “Hardware properties”.

• This will take you to Wi-Fi properties section and click on “Edit” button showing agsint “DNS server assignment” option.

• On the pop-up that appears, select “Manual” option and enable IPv4 and IPv6.

• Enter primary and alternate DNS server IP addresses for both IPv4 and IPv6. Since all your internet activities will be routed through the DNS servers entered here, only use known and reliable server addresses and avoid using unknown free server details for security reasons. Here we used the IPv4 addresses of Google’s public DNS server details for Preferred DNS server as 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server as 8.8.4.4 as shown in the picture. In case of IPv6, use preferred server as 2001:4860:4860 :: 8888 and alternate server as 2001:4860:4860 :: 8844.
• If required, select “Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS)” option for using secured DNS connection.

• Finally, click “Save” button to change the DNS in Windows 11 computer.

Note: If you find any connection problem after changing DNS servers, go back to Wi-Fi properties and disable IPv6 DNS servers and check if that helps to resolve the problem.

Change DNS Servers in Windows 10 / 8 / 7

First we will explain the process in Windows 10 which you can use on Windows 8 and 7 as well.

Step 1 – Open Network Sharing Center

Right click on the internet connection icon shown in the Windows task bar and click on the “Open Network Sharing Center” option. You can also use  the path “Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center” on File Explorer.

Step 2 – Open Wi-Fi or Ethernet Properties

Depending upon your internet connection, you will see Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Click on the connected network link under “View your active networks” as shown in the below picture.

Step 3 – Check Network Connection Status

• The network connection status window will open as shown in the picture below.
• Check which connection out of IPv4 or IPv6 is connected.
• Connected network is indicated by “Internet” status.
• Click on the “Properties” button.

Step 4 – Open Network Connection Properties

• Clicking on the “Properties” button in the previous step will open a new window for network connection properties.
• Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) under Networking tab. (Select IPv6 if it is your active connection in the previous step).
• Click on the “Properties” button.

Step 5 – Change DNS Server Addresses

• Another window for “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” will open as shown in the picture below.
• Choose the radio button “Use the following DNS server addresses” under “General” tab and provide the public DNS server details.
• Click “OK” button to apply the changes and close all the open windows.

If you are using the same Wi-Fi connection for your smartphone, it is a good idea to change DNS settings in your Android or iPhone to use public DNS servers.