How to Change DNS Server on Windows 11 Easily

Your internet connection can improve significantly without spending a penny. Changing your DNS server is one of those optimizations many people overlook, but it can make a real difference in speed and security. I’ll show you exactly how to change DNS server on Windows 11 easily.

Table of contents

Why change your DNS server?

DNS works like the internet’s phone book. When you type a web address, your internet provider (ISP) uses its own DNS server to translate that name into an IP address. The problem is that ISP DNS servers tend to be slow, insecure, and can log your browsing history.

The main reasons to learn how to change DNS server on Windows 11 are:

• Faster browsing speed
• Better protection against malicious sites
• Greater privacy by not logging your history
• Ability to access blocked content
• Superior reliability in name resolution

Pro-tip: Your ISP’s DNS isn’t inherently bad, but there are free alternatives that outperform in both speed and privacy. It’s like switching browsers: it’s not mandatory, but once you do, you don’t go back.

Best free DNS servers in 2026

Before explaining how to change DNS server on Windows 11, you need to know your options. These are the most popular and reliable DNS servers:

DNS server comparison

My personal recommendation is Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) if you prioritize speed, or Quad9 (9.9.9.9) if you want built-in malware protection. For home use, any of these will outperform your ISP’s DNS.

What does each one do?

• Google DNS: The most well-known, fast, and reliable. Google may log usage data, which concerns some users.
• Cloudflare DNS: The fastest according to multiple independent tests. Committed to not permanently logging data.
• Quad9: Security-focused, automatically blocks malicious domains. Excellent for families.
• OpenDNS: Offers customizable content filtering, ideal for parental control.
• AdGuard DNS: Blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level, improving the browsing experience.

Method 1: Change DNS from Windows Settings

This is the official and easiest way to change DNS server on Windows 11. No additional tools or advanced technical knowledge required.

Detailed steps

1. Open Settings with Win + I
2. Go to Network & internet in the left menu
3. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection type
4. Select Properties of your current network
5. Find DNS server assignment and click Edit
6. Change from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual
7. Enable IPv4 and enter your chosen DNS servers

Example with Cloudflare

If you choose Cloudflare, enter these values:

• Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
• Preferred DNS (IPv6): 2606:4700:4700::1111
• Alternate DNS (IPv6): 2606:4700:4700::1001

8. Click Save
9. Restart your browser for changes to take effect

The entire process takes less than 2 minutes. I’ve configured this on all my devices and the difference in loading speed is noticeable, especially with sites I visit frequently.

Method 2: Change DNS via Control Panel

The classic Control Panel is still available in Windows 11 and offers another way to change DNS server. Some users prefer this interface because it’s more familiar.

Procedure

1. Open Control Panel (type control in Start menu)
2. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
3. Click Change adapter settings
4. Right-click on your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) > Properties
5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties
6. Check Use the following DNS server addresses
7. Enter your chosen DNS servers and confirm

For IPv6 connections

If you also want to configure IPv6:

1. Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties
2. Repeat the process with your preferred IPv6 DNS addresses

Warning: Don’t modify other network settings if you don’t know what you’re doing. Only change the DNS fields. Altering IP, subnet mask, or gateway can disable your connection.

Method 3: Change DNS with PowerShell

For advanced users or system administrators, PowerShell offers a fast and scriptable way to change DNS server on Windows 11.

Basic command

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex (Get-NetAdapter).InterfaceIndex -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")

Identify your network adapter

If you have multiple adapters, first identify the correct one:

Get-NetAdapter | Format-Table Name, InterfaceIndex, Status

Then use the correct index:

Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 5 -ServerAddresses ("1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1")

Verify the change

To confirm the change was applied correctly:

Get-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 5

Results will show the new configured DNS servers. This method is ideal if you need to apply the same change to multiple devices through automation scripts.

Method 4: Change DNS from CMD (Command Prompt)

Another option to change DNS server on Windows 11 is using the Command Prompt (CMD). It’s similar to PowerShell but with different syntax.

Command to change DNS

Open CMD as administrator and run:

netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" static 1.1.1.1
netsh interface ip add dns name="Wi-Fi" 1.0.0.1 index=2

Change the interface name

If your adapter isn’t named “Wi-Fi”, check the correct name:

netsh interface show interface

Then replace “Wi-Fi” with the actual adapter name. For Ethernet connections, the name is usually “Ethernet” or “Local Area Connection”.

How to verify the change worked

Once you’ve completed any of the methods to change DNS server on Windows 11, it’s important to verify everything works correctly.

Quick method

1. Open your browser
2. Visit 1.1.1.1/help (if you used Cloudflare) or dnsleaktest.com
3. The site will show which DNS servers you’re using
4. The ones you configured should appear

CMD method

Run in CMD:

nslookup google.com

The response will show the DNS server used. If 1.1.1.1 appears (or the one you configured), the change was successful.

DNS speed test

You can compare your old DNS speed with the new one using online tools like DNS Benchmark or Namebench. These tools measure response times of multiple DNS servers and show you which is fastest from your location.

Common troubleshooting

Sometimes after changing DNS server on Windows 11, issues can arise. Here are the most common and how to fix them:

Can’t browse after the change

1. Verify you entered the DNS addresses correctly
2. Run ipconfig /flushdns in CMD as administrator
3. Restart your browser
4. If it persists, temporarily revert to automatic DNS

Speed didn’t improve

• Run ipconfig /flushdns to clear DNS cache
• Try a different DNS server
• The issue may be your internet speed, not the DNS
• Use DNS Benchmark to find the fastest one

Some sites won’t load

• Temporarily revert to automatic DNS
• If you use a DNS with malware blocking (Quad9, AdGuard), some legitimate sites may be blocked
• Switch to Google or Cloudflare DNS which don’t filter content

Pro-tip: If after changing DNS you have intermittent issues, configure different primary and secondary DNS servers. If the primary fails, Windows will automatically use the secondary.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Does changing DNS affect internet speed?

It doesn’t affect download speed or connection latency. It only improves name resolution time (how long it takes to find a website’s IP address). The difference shows in initial page load.

Is it legal to change DNS?

Completely legal. DNS is a name translation service and you have the right to use whichever server you prefer. No ISP can prevent you from changing it, and it’s not illegal.

Do I need to change DNS on the router or Windows?

It depends on your goals. If you change it on Windows, it only affects that device. If you change it on the router, all devices in your home will use the new DNS. For complete protection, I recommend configuring it on both.

Are free DNS servers safe?

Those from reputable providers (Google, Cloudflare, Quad9) are safe. Avoid DNS from unknown or suspicious providers, as they could redirect your traffic or log your searches. The ones I mention in this article are all trustworthy.

Conclusion

Learning how to change DNS server on Windows 11 is one of the simplest and most effective optimizations you can make. In less than 2 minutes, you can improve your browsing speed, increase your privacy, and add an extra layer of security. I recommend starting with Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and you’ll notice the difference immediately.