How to change DNS under Windows

A DNS server is responsible for translating website names, such as www.google.com, to IP addresses. Normally DNS servers are assigned automatically, so you need not worry about it. In some cases, however, you need to choose DNS servers manually. To do this proceed as described below.

When complete, the settings should look like the below. You may choose to enter some other public DNS servers. The ones used here are Google’s public DNS servers, that are usually preferred:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

 

Below are the steps to reach these settings on different Windows versions.

You can also use the following script for setting the DNS:

set-dns.bat

Make sure you edit the script by replacing “Broadband Connection” with the name of the connection you want to change.

 

On Windows Vista and Windows 7 and 8

1. Click Start then Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet then open Network and Sharing Center, finally click Change adapter settings
3. Locate the connection that connects you to the Internet. It may be a PPPoE, a Wireless connection, or a Local Area Connection. If you’re unsure you can apply the following steps to all connections, until the problem is solved. The exception is the “TAP-Win32” adapter; you should leave that one to get DNS servers automatically.
4. Right-click the connection and choose Properties.
5. Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), found in the Networking tab, or the General tab depending on type of connection. Then click Properties
6. Click the radio button “Use the following DNS server addresses”, and fill in preferred and alternate DNS servers. For example use Google’s public DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
7. Click OK to apply the changes. Note that in some cases you may need to restart the connection for the changes to apply. Please do so!

 

On Windows XP

1. Click Start then Control Panel.
2. You may have to click Switch to Classic View
3. Double click Network Connections
4. Locate the connection that connects you to the Internet. It may be a PPPoE, a High-speed internet, or a LAN connection. If you’re unsure you can apply the following steps to all connections, until the problem is solved. The exception is the “TAP-Win32” adapter; you should leave that one to get DNS servers automatically.
5. Right-click the connection and choose Properties.
6. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), found in the Networking tab, or the General tab depending on type of connection. Then click Properties
7. Click the radio button “Use the following DNS server addresses”, and fill in preferred and alternate DNS servers. For example use Google’s public DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
8. Click OK to apply the changes. Note that in some cases you may need to restart the connection for the changes to apply. Please do so!