Changing DNS servers on Windows 10 can be a strategic move to improve your online experience. In this guide, we will show you step by step how to change DNS to optimize your connection.
How to change DNS on Windows 10
If you have recently installed Windows 10 or have been using it, follow these simple steps to update your DNS:
To begin, open the Control Panel. You can do this by typing “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and selecting the corresponding application. You may be interested in our guide on how to get into the Windows 10 Bios.
Once in the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet and then Network and Sharing Center. Here you will find all the settings related to your network connection.
Within the Network and Sharing Center, click on Change Network Adapter Settings. This will take you to the list of network connections available on your computer.
Right-click on the connection you wish to modify (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties. You will be prompted to provide administrator permission.
In the Properties window, scroll down until you find Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6), depending on your connection. Select the desired version and click on Properties.
In the new window, select the option Use the following DNS server addresses. Here you can enter your preferred DNS addresses. For example, you could use 1.1.1.1 for Cloudflare or 8.8.8.8 for Google.
After entering the new DNS, click OK to save the settings. You may want to run a browsing test to make sure everything is working properly.
Change DNS on Windows 10 via command prompt – IPv4 Protocol
Changing DNS on Windows 10 via the command prompt is an operation that can be performed by system administrators and experienced users who prefer to use the command-line interface instead of the GUI. Here is how to proceed:
- Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Type “cmd” in the search bar.
- Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
- At the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
- netsh interface show interface
- Take note of the name of the network interface on which to change DNS (e.g., “Ethernet” or “Wi-Fi”).
- To set the primary DNS server, use the following command, replacing “InterfaceName” with the name of the network interface and “PrimaryDNSP Address” with the IP address of the desired DNS server:
netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers “InterfaceName” static AddressDNSPrimary primary
- To set the secondary DNS server, use the following command, replacing “SecondaryDNSSecondaryAddress” with the IP address of the secondary DNS server:
netsh interface ipv4 add dnsservers “InterfaceName” SecondaryDNSS Address index=2
- To verify that the new DNS has been set correctly, type in:
ipconfig /all
- Check in the network interface information that the DNS matches the one you just set.
- To ensure that the changes take effect immediately, you should clear the DNS cache with the command:
ipconfig /flushdns
- After changing DNS, it is a good idea to test the Internet connection to make sure everything is working properly. This can be done by visiting some websites or using the “ping” command to check connectivity.
By performing these steps, you will have successfully changed the DNS servers for your connection on Windows 10 via the command prompt. Remember that it is always advisable to note the old DNS before making changes, in case you want to revert to the previous configuration.
Changing DNS on Windows 10 with IPv6 protocol
To change DNS servers on a connection using IPv6 in Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Select the gear icon to open Settings.
- In the Settings window, click on “Network and Internet.“
- In the “Status” section, click on “Change adapter options.”
- In the window that opens, right-click on the network adapter you are using (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select “Properties.”
- In the list, look for and select “Internet Protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6).”
- Click on the “Properties” button found below the list of items.
- In the IPv6 properties window, select “Use the following DNS server addresses.”
- Enter the IPv6 address of the DNS server you wish to use in the “Preferred DNS Server” field.
- If necessary, enter the IPv6 address of the alternate DNS server in the “Alternate DNS Server” field.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
- Close all property windows.
- To make sure that the new DNS have been set correctly, open the Command Prompt and type: ipconfig /all
- Check in the network interface information that the DNS matches the DNS you just set.
- Don’t forget to clear the DNS cache. Again from the command prompt, type: ipconfig /flushdns.
- After changing the DNS, test the connection by visiting some websites or using the “ping” command, as explained earlier.
Remember that IPv6 DNS servers have a different format than IPv4 addresses and are not interchangeable. Be sure to use IPv6-specific DNS addresses.
Change DNS on Windows 10 directly from the router
Changing DNS directly from the router is an operation that affects all devices connected to the network. Here’s how to change DNS on Windows 10 by acting on the router:
- Open the browser and type the IP address of the router in the address bar. Common IP addresses for routers are 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.254. If you do not know the router’s IP address, you can find it through the Windows Command Prompt by typing ipconfig and searching for “Default Gateway.“
- Enter your login credentials. If you have not changed them, these are usually “admin” for both fields; alternatively, you can find them in the router manual or on a sticker on the router itself.
- Once you are logged in, look for the section on network settings. This can vary depending on the model and manufacturer of the router, but is generally found under “LAN Settings,” “Network Configuration,” “DHCP Settings,” or similar.
- In the network settings section, look for the entries “Primary DNS Server” and “Secondary DNS Server” or “DNS 1” and “DNS 2.” Enter the IP addresses of the new DNS servers you wish to use. For example, you might enter 8.8.8.8 for Google’s primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 for the secondary.
- After entering the new DNS addresses, look for the “Apply,” “Save,” or “Run” button to save your changes. You may need to restart the router to apply the changes.
- To make sure the new DNS have been set correctly, you can restart the devices connected to the network or disconnect and reconnect them. Then, on a Windows 10 computer, open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to verify that the new DNS are in use.
- As a final step, you may want to test your Internet connection to make sure everything is working properly. Visit some websites or use the “ping” command to check connectivity.
Changing DNS directly from the router is an effective way to apply the change to all devices in the home or business network without having to configure each individual device.
What are the Best DNS for Windows 10
Choosing the best DNS for Windows 10 depends on several factors, including speed, privacy, security and stability. Here are some of the most reliable and high-performing DNSs you can consider:
- Google Public DNS
- Addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- Advantages: high speed, reliability and improved security against attacks such as spoofing and cache poisoning.
Cloudflare
- Addresses: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- Advantages: focused on privacy, do not use browsing data for advertising purposes, and promise to clear all logs every 24 hours.
OpenDNS
- Addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
- Advantages: parental control options and phishing protection, plus good browsing speed.
Quad9
- Addresses: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
- Benefits: enhanced security with automatic blocking of sites known to be malicious and maintaining user privacy
DNS.Watch
- Addresses: 84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40
- Advantages: no censorship, no filtering and no tracking, with a promise of neutrality and speed.
Comodo Secure DNS
- Addresses: 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20
- Benefits: focused on security, offer safer browsing by blocking risky websites.
CleanBrowsing
- Addresses: 185.228.168.9 and 185.228.169.9
- Benefits: family content filters and privacy protection, with three levels of filtering to choose from.
When choosing a DNS, it is important to consider your geographic location, as the physical distance from the DNS server can affect response speed. Also, some users may prefer providers that offer additional features, such as ad blocking or content filtering for child safety. To test which DNS is faster for your specific connection, you can use tools such as DNS Benchmark or Namebench, which analyze and compare the performance of various DNS.
Remember that changing DNS can greatly improve your browsing experience on Windows 10, but it is always a good idea to proceed with caution and make sure that the provider you choose meets your privacy and security standards.
Changing DNS on Windows 10: Why It’s A Beneficial Choice
The Domain Name System (DNS) is often compared to the Internet phone book; it is the service that associates domain names, which are easily stored, with the numeric IP addresses of the servers where websites reside. Changing the default DNS provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to customized ones on Windows 10 can lead to several significant benefits. One of the main reasons for changing DNS is to optimize browsing speed. Better-performing DNS servers can reduce the time it takes to resolve domain names, effectively speeding up the loading of web pages. This is especially useful if the ISP’s current DNS are overloaded or slow.
Security is another important reason. Some DNS providers offer additional security services, such as protection from phishing and other types of cyber attacks. These advanced DNS can detect and block access to malicious websites, thereby protecting personal data and the health of devices. Privacy is an increasingly important concern for users. Many alternative DNS providers pledge not to track users’ browsing activities or sell this information to third parties, unlike what an ISP might do. Alternative DNS servers often boast higher uptime than ISPs, thus ensuring a more stable and reliable connection. This means fewer connection errors and a reduction in problems accessing online content.
Finally, changing DNS allows for greater customization. Some DNSs allow you to configure filters to block unwanted content or set parental controls, offering browsing tailored to the specific needs of each user or family.
Useful Tips
- Choose reliable DNS: opt for DNS servers known for their speed and reliability.
- Check compatibility: make sure the DNS you choose are compatible with your Internet service provider.
- Update regularly: DNS servers can change; check periodically for available updates or enhancements.
Conclusion
Changing DNS on Windows 10 is a simple process that can lead to significant improvements in your online experience. By following these steps, you can browse faster and more securely.
