Changing your Domain Name System (DNS) server allows your computer to use a different service to translate domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses. This can potentially improve speed, privacy, or security. On Windows, this process involves modifying your network adapter settings.
Based on the provided information, here is the method to change your DNS server settings on a Windows computer:
Steps to Change DNS Server on Windows
To configure your network connection to use specific DNS server addresses, follow these steps:
- Access Control Panel: Begin by opening the Windows Control Panel.
- Navigate to Network Settings: Click on Network and Internet, then select Network and Sharing Center, and finally click on Change adapter settings. This will display a list of your network connections (like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.).
- Select Your Connection: Identify the network connection for which you want to change the DNS settings. This is the connection actively used to access the internet. You typically right-click this connection and select Properties.
- Go to Networking Tab: In the properties window for your selected connection, select the Networking tab.
- Access Advanced DNS Settings: Click Advanced and then select the DNS tab. (Note: The exact path to selecting "Use the following DNS server addresses" may vary slightly depending on your Windows version. This step, as described, leads to advanced DNS configurations which are related to, but distinct from, simply entering preferred/alternate DNS IPs directly in the IPv4/IPv6 properties).
- Confirm Changes (Intermediate Step): Click OK after making selections in the Advanced DNS tab.
- Specify DNS Addresses: Return to the main connection properties or TCP/IP properties (depending on the Windows version interface) and Select Use the following DNS server addresses. This option allows you to manually enter the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server addresses you wish to use (e.g., Google Public DNS addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). After entering the addresses, click OK to save the changes.
By selecting "Use the following DNS server addresses" and entering the desired server IPs, you instruct your computer to use those specific servers instead of obtaining DNS server addresses automatically from your network or router.
