You are not required to use your ISP’s default DNS server if it appears to be slow, insecure, or dishonest. Here’s how to modify a Windows 11 computer’s DNS server settings.
How to Change DNS Server in Windows 11
Browsers can load online pages on your screen thanks to a Domain Name System (DNS), which converts readable human domain names into IP addresses. Your ISP sets up the default DNS settings for you when it first connects you to the internet.
However, the majority of ISPs don’t place much emphasis on the security or privacy of your DNS, which leaves you open to a variety of security issues. Fortunately, there are many excellent third-party options that provide faster internet and more protection, such as Cloudflare, OpenDNS, and Google.
You can use the following DNS numbers for your new DNS server: Cloudflare, Google, and OpenDNS primary and alternate:
- 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
- To access the Settings app, press Win + I.
- Select Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings.
- In the Network Adapters section, select the available network adapter. For instance, choose that option if your connection is Ethernet-based. Similarly, if you’re connected to the internet wirelessly, go for Wi-Fi.
- Choose the option to View Additional Properties.
- Next to the DNS server assignment, click the Edit button.
- Switch between IPv4 and IPv6 using the drop-down menu under Edit DNS Settings and select Manual.
- In the Preferred DNS and Option DNS columns, type the DNS server number.
- Click Save.
While we use Google’s DNS in the preceding instructions, you are free to use any DNS server of your choice. When you do, Windows 11 will update your DNS server settings. Open the Ethernet or Wi-Fi properties and see which DNS server Windows 11 is using to confirm the change.
Most of the time, changing your DNS server should lead to faster internet and more security. In order to determine the quickest DNS and maximize your internet speed, you can also use DNS speed test programs like NameBench and the GRC DNS Benchmark.