How to Change DNS Server on Windows 11

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:

• Cloudflare : 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• Google : 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• OpenDNS : 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

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:

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app .
2. Navigate to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings .
3. Click on the available network adapter in the Network Adapters section . For example, if you are connected via Ethernet, select that option. Similarly, select Wi-Fi if you are using a wireless Internet connection.
4. Select the View Additional Properties option .
5. Click the Edit button next to DNS server assignment .
6. In Edit DNS Settings , use the drop-down menu to select Manual and enable IPv4 or IPv6 switching.
7. Enter the DNS server numbers in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS fields .
8. Click Save .

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.