How to change the DNS settings on your Windows PC

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For the internet, the DNS, or Domain Name System, functions like a phone book to translate between IP addresses and domain names. Your home Windows computer automatically utilizes whichever DNS server your internet service provider has configured. But you’re not required to continue using that server.

An internet service known as a domain name system (DNS) enables you to type a familiar domain name into your web browser to open a website (often at no cost to you). And using the internet without it would be a nightmare. The problem is that every device needs an IP address to communicate with other devices (for instance, 104.18.189.55).

Although these addresses are difficult for people to remember, DNS servers offer the technology to convert familiar domain names. We have mentioned steps below to change the DNS settings on your Windows PC.

Steps to change the DNS settings on your Windows PC

Open Control Panel

Select Network and Internet.

In the Network and Internet window, select Network and Sharing Center to open that applet.

In the Network and Sharing Center window, select Change adapter settings.

The Network Connections window lists connections to the computer. Wired connections are labeled as Ethernet or Local Area Connection, while wireless ones are labeled as Wi-Fi.

Open the network connection you want to change the DNS servers for by double-clicking or double-tapping on its icon.

In the Status window, select Properties.

In the Properties window, go to the This connection uses the following items section and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to select the IPv4 option, or select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) to change the IPv6 DNS server settings.

Select Properties.

In the Internet Protocol Properties window, choose Use the following DNS server addresses.

Enter the IP address for the Preferred DNS server and for the Alternate DNS server.

Select OK to make the DNS server changes.

Close Control Panel.

Verify that the new DNS servers work properly in Windows. Visit several websites in your favorite web browser. If the web pages show up as quickly as before, the new DNS servers are working properly.

Final Words

So here we conclude our article on how to change the DNS settings on your Windows PC. The domain name system (DNS) addresses are provided to the local network by the internet service provider (ISP) as part of your internet access subscription, enabling access to your preferred websites and online services as well as file downloads.