How to Change or Use Custom DNS Server Settings in Windows?

Many times people face problems while accessing a particular website. It might be due to website server problem. But sometimes it might be a fault of your Internet service provider as their DNS server was not updated within time. That’s why its recommended to use external DNS instead of the DNS provided by your ISP. There are many DNS available to use like Google Public DNS, Cloudflare DNS, Open DNS, etc.

But changing DNS settings is not an easy task and requires some steps to follow. So today in this tutorial we are going to tell you how to use custom 3rd party DNS Server settings in Windows operating system.

This tutorial will work for all Windows versions. If you are also facing problems with your Internet connection speed and want to use custom DNS server settings, follow these simple steps:

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STEP 1:

First of all we’ll need to open Network Connections window. We can open it in many ways:

Method 1.a:

Right-click on Network icon present in Taskbar notification area and select “Open Network and Sharing Center” option.

Network_Sharing_Center_Menu_Option.png

It’ll open Network and Sharing Center window. Now click on “Change adapter settings” link given in left sidebar. It’ll open classic Network Connections window.

Change_Network_Adapter_Settings.png

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Method 1.b:

You can directly open Network Connections window by using following command in RUN dialog box:

explorer shell:::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}

The above command shortcut has been discussed exclusively in following topic:

How to Pin “Network Connections” Shortcut to Windows 7 Taskbar?

STEP 2:

Now select the connection/adapter you want to change DNS settings for, right-click on it and select Properties option.

STEP 3:

In connection properties window, under Networking tab, scroll down and you’ll see Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option.

Internet_Connection_Properties.png

Double-click on the option and it’ll open TCP/IPv4 properties window.

STEP 4:

Now enable “Use the following DNS server addresses” option and type any of following DNS server values:

Google Public DNS:

For IPv4:
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
For IPv6:
Preferred DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8888
Alternate DNS server: 2001:4860:4860::8844

Cloudflare DNS:

For IPv4:
Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
For IPv6:
Preferred DNS server: 2606:4700:4700::1111
Alternate DNS server: 2606:4700:4700::1001

Cisco OpenDNS:

For IPv4:
Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220

Custom_DNS_Server_Settings.png

That’s it. Apply the changes and it should immediately start working on your Internet connection.

PS: If you don’t notice any changes, you can try to clear DNS cache. Open Command Prompt as Administrator as mentioned here and then execute ipconfig /flushdns command to clear DNS cache.

NOTE: If you want to use custom DNS settings in your Android mobile phone, check out following tutorial:

How to Use Custom DNS Settings in Android Mobile Phones

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Thank you so much, I followed step by step to your guide and I can at last open microsoft and related pages in my laptop. Thanks!

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