Learn How DNS Changes Work on Windows 10
Understanding DNS and Why It Matters on Windows 10
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It works like a phonebook for the internet. When you type a website address into your browser, your computer needs to find the actual location of that website on the internet. DNS translates human-readable website names (like www.example.com) into numerical addresses called IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1). Without DNS, you would need to memorize long strings of numbers to visit any website.
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On Windows 10, DNS settings determine which server your computer contacts to look up website addresses. Your computer typically uses DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP), but you can change these settings to use different DNS providers. Some people change DNS settings to improve internet speed, increase privacy, or block unwanted content. Others change DNS settings to troubleshoot connection problems.
Windows 10 stores DNS settings in multiple locations. Some settings apply to your entire computer, while others apply only to specific network connections. Understanding where these settings live and how they interact helps you make changes correctly.
The DNS process happens automatically thousands of times per day while you browse. When a change occurs, Windows 10 may need time to recognize it. Some changes take effect within seconds, while others may require waiting several minutes or even restarting your computer. This guide explains how DNS changes work and what to expect during the process.
Practical Takeaway: DNS functions as a translation service between website names and internet addresses. Changes to DNS settings on Windows 10 may not take effect immediately, and understanding this delay helps you troubleshoot connection issues more effectively.
How to Change DNS Settings in Windows 10 Network Settings
The most straightforward way to change DNS settings on Windows 10 involves the Settings application. This method changes DNS settings for a specific network connection, such as your Wi-Fi network or ethernet connection. Start by opening the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings" or by clicking the gear icon on your Start menu.
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Once Settings opens, navigate to "Network & Internet" and then select your connection type. If you use Wi-Fi, click "Wi-Fi" in the left sidebar. If you use an ethernet cable, click "Ethernet." Next, find your current network in the list and click it. A details page appears showing your current connection status.
Look for a button or link labeled "Edit" or "Properties" near your network name. Click this to open the network settings editor. Scroll down until you see DNS server assignment, which typically shows "Automatic" as the current setting. Click on the dropdown menu and select "Manual" to enable the ability to enter custom DNS addresses.
After selecting Manual, toggles appear for IPv4 and IPv6. Most users work with IPv4, which uses addresses like 8.8.8.8. Toggle on the IPv4 switch if it is not already active. Two text fields appear below: one for the preferred DNS server and one for an alternate DNS server. Enter your chosen DNS server addresses in these fields. Popular options include Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), or Quad9 DNS (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112).
After entering the addresses, click Save. Windows 10 applies the new settings within seconds. You can verify the change by opening a Command Prompt and typing "ipconfig /all" to view your current DNS configuration.
Practical Takeaway: Changing DNS through Windows 10 Settings provides a user-friendly interface for modifying DNS on individual network connections. The change takes effect immediately, though your browser may continue using cached results from previous DNS lookups for a short period.
Modifying DNS Through Command Prompt and PowerShell
Windows 10 offers command-line tools for users who prefer technical methods or need to automate DNS changes. Command Prompt and PowerShell both allow you to view and modify DNS settings through text commands. This approach proves useful when managing multiple computers or when the graphical Settings interface is unavailable.
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To view your current DNS settings using Command Prompt, open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing "cmd", and pressing Enter. Type "ipconfig /all" and press Enter. This displays detailed information about all your network connections, including current DNS server addresses. Look for lines labeled "DNS Servers" under each network adapter.
To change DNS settings using Command Prompt, you need to open it as Administrator. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator." Type the following command: "netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="Local Area Connection" static 8.8.8.8 primary" (replacing "Local Area Connection" with your actual connection name and 8.8.8.8 with your chosen DNS server). Add a secondary server with another command: "netsh interface ipv4 add dns name="Local Area Connection" 8.8.4.4 index=2".
PowerShell offers another command-line option with different syntax. Open PowerShell as Administrator and use the "Set-DnsClientServerAddress" command. For example: "Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ServerAddresses ("8.8.8.8","8.8.4.4")". Replace "Wi-Fi" with your connection name and the IP addresses with your chosen DNS servers.
Command-line methods provide more control but require careful typing. A single mistyped character can produce an error message without applying changes. These methods work identically whether you use Wi-Fi, ethernet, or other connection types. Changes take effect within seconds, though some programs may need restarting to recognize the new settings.
Practical Takeaway: Command Prompt and PowerShell allow advanced users to modify DNS settings through text commands, offering flexibility and the ability to batch multiple changes together. These tools require careful attention to syntax but provide more precise control than the graphical Settings interface.
Understanding DNS Propagation and Cache Timing
DNS changes do not always take effect immediately, and understanding why helps you manage expectations during the modification process. When you change your DNS settings, Windows 10 uses the new servers going forward. However, several layers of caching can cause delays in seeing the effects of your changes.
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Your computer stores DNS information in its local cache, a temporary storage area that remembers previous DNS lookups. When you request a website, Windows 10 checks this local cache before contacting a DNS server. If the website address is already cached, your computer uses the stored information without consulting DNS servers. This cache typically stores information for several minutes to several hours, depending on what the DNS server specified. You can clear this cache manually by opening Command Prompt as Administrator and typing "ipconfig /flushdns" and pressing Enter.
Beyond your computer's local cache, your internet service provider maintains its own DNS cache. When your computer contacts your ISP's DNS server, that server may already have the information cached from previous requests by other customers. If you changed from your ISP's DNS server to an outside service like Google DNS, the new service may not have certain information cached yet. This can cause lookups to take longer until information is cached on the new service.
Your web browser also caches DNS information separately. Even after clearing Windows' DNS cache and successfully obtaining new information from DNS servers, your browser may continue using cached website addresses. Clearing your browser's cache and cookies resolves this issue. Most browsers allow you to clear cache through the Settings or Preferences menu, typically found under History or Privacy options.
In rare cases, other programs on your computer may cache DNS information independently. Network monitoring tools, VPN applications, and security software sometimes maintain their own DNS caches. If you change DNS settings and still experience issues, restarting your computer ensures all programs obtain fresh DNS information from the new servers.
Practical Takeaway: Multiple layers of DNS caching exist between your computer and the internet. While DNS server changes take effect quickly at the system level, cached information may delay the visible effects for several minutes. Clearing Windows DNS cache with "ipconfig /flushdns" and restarting your browser accelerates the process of seeing results from DNS changes.
Changing DNS at the Router Level for All Devices
If you want to change DNS settings for all devices on your
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