How to Change DNS Server in Windows 10, 8.1 and Windows 7

If you have problems opening sites, such as ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED and many others, one of the first recommended actions is to change the DNS server in the Windows connection properties. Using a different server may be faster (and more accurate) than your ISP's DNS server, thereby speeding up page loading. Also, some servers provide functions for filtering unwanted traffic.

This guide details how to change the DNS server in Windows 10, 8.1 and Windows 7 - one universal method for all these systems and one additional, only for Windows 10. The article also provides popular fast and secure DNS servers. 

Changing the DNS Server in Windows

If you need to change the DNS server in Windows 10, 8.1 or Windows 7, use the following steps, which will work for all the specified OS versions:

Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard, type ncpa.cpl into the Run window and press Enter. 

In the window that opens, right-click on the connection used to access the Internet and select "Properties" from the context menu. 

In the list of connection components, select "IP version 4" or "TCP/IPv4" and click the "Properties" button. 

Check the box "Use the following DNS server addresses" and specify the desired addresses. 

Apply the settings with the OK button.

If necessary (usually not available), change DNS for IP version 6 in the same way.

After changing the DNS settings, it is not necessary, but it is advisable to reset the DNS cache .

This will complete the process, and when you open sites on the Internet, you will use the DNS server address you specified.

Another way to change the DNS server in Windows 10

To change the DNS server for an Internet connection Windows 10 has an additional method :

Go to Settings - Network and Internet, on the left select the type of connection (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) for which you want to change. 

Click on the name of the active network. 

Do the Scroll down for next page to the "IP Settings" section and click the "Edit" button. 

Change from "Automatic" to "Manual". 

Enable IPv4, scroll down and set the preferred and secondary DNS server settings as desired, save the settings.

If necessary, set DNS to IPv6 (generally not needed).

It's same, as the previous case, it is advisable to clear the DNS cache after the applying settings.

Addresses of popular DNS servers

Many well-known Internet companies provide access to their DNS servers: you can enter them in the settings and they will be used by your connection. Popular DNS servers include:

Popular DNS servers

• Google - 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (for IP version 4), 
• 2001:4860:4860::8888
• 2001:4860:4860::8844 (IP version 6).

• Yandex - 77.88.8.8 and 77.88.8.1 (Yandex also provides additional features for its DNS, you can read more on the dns.yandex.ru page).

• Cloudflare - 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (IPv4), 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 (IPv6).

I hope everything worked out in your case. If you decide to change the DNS server due to any errors when opening sites, I recommend trying to enter the text of the error in the search on this site: maybe I have a solution for your problem.