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 DNSserver 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, 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:

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.

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.

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 selectProperties option.

STEP 3:

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

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:

Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS:

Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222
Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220

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.