Configuring DNS settings in Windows can be done through the Control Panel, Settings app, or using Command Prompt/PowerShell. Below are the methods for each approach: Method 1: Using the Control Panel
Open Control Panel:
Press Win + R, type control, and press Enter.
Network and Sharing Center:
Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
Change Adapter Settings:
In the left pane, click on Change adapter settings.
Select Network Adapter:
Right-click on the network adapter you want to configure (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi) and select Properties.
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4):
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Configure DNS Servers:
Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. For example:
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google Public DNS)
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google Public DNS)
Click OK.
Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) (Optional):
If you are using IPv6, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties.
Enter the IPv6 DNS server addresses if needed.
Close and Apply:
Click OK to close the properties window.
Close the Network Connection Properties window.
Method 2: Using the Settings App (Windows 10 and Windows 11)
Open Settings:
Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
Network & Internet:
Go to Network & Internet.
Select Network Adapter:
Click on Status in the left pane.
Click on Change adapter options.
Select Network Adapter:
Right-click on the network adapter you want to configure (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi) and select Properties.
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4):
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Configure DNS Servers:
Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. For example:
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google Public DNS)
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google Public DNS)
Click OK.
Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) (Optional):
If you are using IPv6, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties.
Enter the IPv6 DNS server addresses if needed.
Close and Apply:
Click OK to close the properties window.
Close the Network Connection Properties window.
Method 3: Using Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Set DNS Server:
Use the following command to set the DNS server. Replace Wi-Fi with the name of your network adapter and the IP addresses with your preferred DNS servers:
cmd
netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" source=static addr=8.8.8.8
netsh interface ip add dns name="Wi-Fi" addr=8.8.4.4 index=2
Method 4: Using PowerShell
Open PowerShell as Administrator:
Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Set DNS Server:
Use the following command to set the DNS server. Replace Wi-Fi with the name of your network adapter and the IP addresses with your preferred DNS servers:
powershell
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -ServerAddresses 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4
These methods should allow you to configure DNS settings on your Windows machine effectively.