If the default DNS server provided by your ISP seems slow, insecure, or unreliable, you don't have to use it. Here's how you can change the DNS server settings on your Windows 11 computer .
How to change DNS server in Windows 11
The Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses , allowing browsers to load web pages on your screen. When your ISP first establishes your Internet connection, they also configure your default DNS settings.
However, for most ISPs, DNS security or privacy isn’t a big priority, leaving you vulnerable to all sorts of security issues. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of good third-party options, like Google, Cloudflare, and OpenDNS, that offer better internet speeds and enhanced protection.
Here are the primary and alternate DNS numbers from Cloudflare, Google, and OpenDNS that you can use for your new DNS server:
While there are a few ways to change DNS servers in Windows 11, the easiest way is through the Settings app. Here's what to do:
The above instructions used Google DNS, but you can choose any DNS server you like. Once you do this, your Windows 11 DNS server settings will be updated. To verify the change, open the Wi-Fi or Ethernet properties to check which DNS server Windows 11 is using.
Changing your DNS server will result in better internet speeds and tighter security in most cases. You can also use DNS speed testing tools like NameBench and GRC DNS Benchmark to find the fastest DNS and optimize your internet speed.
Sometimes you'll want to see which DNS server your PC is connecting to, either because the server you're using is down or because you want to switch to a faster or more secure alternative server.
Changing the DNS provider is a less common but extremely effective computer security method that you should apply if you have to work, online transactions daily.
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