How to Change DNS Settings in Windows 7: A Comprehensive Guide
Changing your DNS (Domain Name System) settings in Windows 7 can improve your internet speed, security, and access to websites. Your DNS server acts as a translator, converting human-readable domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. The default DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP) might not always be the fastest or most reliable. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how to change your DNS settings in Windows 7, along with reasons why you might want to do so, alternative DNS server options, and troubleshooting tips.
Why Change Your DNS Settings?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore the benefits of changing your DNS settings:
* **Improved Speed:** Some DNS servers are faster than others. Using a faster DNS server can significantly reduce the time it takes to resolve domain names, leading to quicker page loading times.
* **Enhanced Security:** Certain DNS servers offer enhanced security features, such as protection against phishing attacks and malware. These servers can block access to malicious websites, helping to keep your computer safe.
* **Bypass Censorship:** In some regions, ISPs may block access to certain websites. Changing your DNS server can sometimes bypass these restrictions, allowing you to access blocked content.
* **Increased Reliability:** While ISPs typically maintain their DNS servers, outages can occur. Using a public DNS server provides a backup option, ensuring you can still access the internet even if your ISP’s DNS servers are down.
* **Access Geo-Restricted Content:** In rare cases, certain public DNS servers can allow you to access content that is normally unavailable in your geographic location. This is less common than bypassing censorship, but it can be a benefit in specific scenarios.
Choosing a DNS Server
Several public DNS servers are available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are a few popular options:
* **Google Public DNS:** (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) Google’s DNS servers are known for their speed and reliability. They also offer some basic security features.
* **Cloudflare DNS:** (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) Cloudflare prioritizes privacy and speed. They claim to be the fastest DNS server available and offer strong encryption to protect your data.
* **OpenDNS:** (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) OpenDNS provides enhanced security features, including phishing protection and content filtering. They offer both free and paid plans.
* **Quad9:** (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112) Quad9 focuses on security, blocking access to malicious domains based on threat intelligence feeds. They also offer DNSSEC validation for added security.
* **Comodo Secure DNS:** (8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20) Comodo Secure DNS provides malware filtering and protection against phishing and other online threats.
Before changing your DNS settings, consider researching these options and choosing the server that best suits your needs. Factors to consider are speed, security features, privacy policy, and uptime guarantees.
How to Change DNS Settings in Windows 7: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a detailed guide on how to change your DNS settings in Windows 7:
**Method 1: Changing DNS Settings Through Network Connections (GUI)**
This is the most common and straightforward method.
**Step 1: Access the Network and Sharing Center**
* **Option 1 (Start Menu):** Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
* Type “Network and Sharing Center” in the search box.
* Click on “Network and Sharing Center” in the search results.
* **Option 2 (Control Panel):** Click the Start button.
* Click on “Control Panel”.
* In the Control Panel, if you’re in Category View, click on “Network and Internet” and then click on “Network and Sharing Center”.
* If you’re in Icon View, click on “Network and Sharing Center” directly.
**Step 2: Identify Your Active Network Connection**
In the Network and Sharing Center, you’ll see a section labeled “View your active networks”. This section displays the network(s) you’re currently connected to. Identify the connection you want to modify.
* **Wired Connection:** If you’re connected via Ethernet cable, you’ll see a connection labeled “Local Area Connection”.
* **Wireless Connection:** If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, you’ll see a connection with the name of your wireless network.
**Step 3: Access the Properties of Your Network Connection**
* Click on the name of your active network connection (e.g., “Local Area Connection” or the name of your Wi-Fi network). This will open the connection status window.
* In the connection status window, click the “Properties” button.
**Step 4: Locate Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)**
In the network connection properties window, you’ll see a list of items starting with “Client for Microsoft Networks”. Scroll down the list until you find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” or simply “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” on some systems. Make sure the box next to it is checked.
**Step 5: Open the Properties of Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)**
* Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” by clicking on it.
* Click the “Properties” button.
**Step 6: Configure DNS Server Addresses**
In the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window, you’ll see two options:
* **Obtain an IP address automatically:** This option is typically selected by default. It means your computer gets its IP address and DNS server addresses from your router or ISP automatically.
* **Use the following DNS server addresses:** Select this option to manually enter your DNS server addresses.
* Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
* Enter your preferred DNS server address in the “Preferred DNS server” field.
* Enter your alternate DNS server address in the “Alternate DNS server” field.
* For example, if you want to use Google Public DNS, you would enter `8.8.8.8` as the preferred DNS server and `8.8.4.4` as the alternate DNS server.
* If you want to use Cloudflare DNS, you would enter `1.1.1.1` as the preferred DNS server and `1.0.0.1` as the alternate DNS server.
**Step 7: Validate Settings Upon Exit (Optional)**
* Check the box next to “Validate settings upon exit” (this option may or may not be available depending on your specific Windows 7 configuration). This will run a network diagnostic test when you close the window, confirming your settings are working correctly.
**Step 8: Save Your Changes**
* Click the “OK” button in the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window.
* Click the “OK” button in the network connection properties window.
* Close the connection status window.
**Step 9: Flush Your DNS Cache**
After changing your DNS settings, it’s a good idea to flush your DNS cache. This will clear any previously cached DNS information and force your computer to use the new DNS servers immediately. To flush your DNS cache:
* Click the Start button.
* Type “cmd” in the search box.
* Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results and select “Run as administrator”.
* In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
* You should see a message confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.
* Close the Command Prompt window.
**Method 2: Changing DNS Settings via Command Line (Netsh)**
This method is more advanced and involves using the command line. It’s useful if you need to automate the process or prefer a command-line interface.
**Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator**
* Click the Start button.
* Type “cmd” in the search box.
* Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results and select “Run as administrator”.
**Step 2: Identify Your Network Adapter Name**
To change the DNS settings using the command line, you need to know the name of your network adapter. You can find this by using the following command:
netsh interface show interface
This command will display a list of your network interfaces. Note down the name of the interface you want to modify (e.g., “Local Area Connection” or “Wireless Network Connection”). The name might contain spaces, so make sure to enclose it in quotes when using it in subsequent commands.
**Step 3: Set the DNS Server Addresses**
Use the following commands to set the DNS server addresses. Replace `”Network Adapter Name”` with the actual name of your network adapter (enclosed in quotes if it contains spaces), and `8.8.8.8` and `8.8.4.4` with your desired DNS server addresses.
To set the preferred DNS server:
netsh interface ipv4 set dns name=”Network Adapter Name” static 8.8.8.8 primary
To add an alternate DNS server (secondary):
netsh interface ipv4 add dns name=”Network Adapter Name” address=8.8.4.4 index=2
* **Explanation of the command:**
* `netsh`: Network Shell, a command-line scripting utility that allows you to configure and monitor Windows network components.
* `interface ipv4`: Specifies that you are configuring the IPv4 interface.
* `set dns`: Sets the DNS server address for the specified interface.
* `name=”Network Adapter Name”`: Specifies the name of the network adapter to configure. Remember to use quotes if the name contains spaces.
* `static 8.8.8.8`: Sets the DNS server address to the specified IP address (in this case, Google’s primary DNS).
* `primary`: Indicates that this is the preferred DNS server.
* `add dns`: Adds another DNS server to the list of DNS servers.
* `address=8.8.4.4`: Specifies the IP address of the secondary DNS server (Google’s secondary DNS).
* `index=2`: Specifies the order in which this DNS server will be used. `index=1` is already used by the primary server, so we use `index=2` for the secondary server.
**Step 4: Verify the Changes**
To verify that the DNS settings have been changed successfully, you can use the following command:
netsh interface ipv4 show dns
This command will display the DNS server addresses configured for each network interface. Check that the output shows the DNS servers you just set.
**Step 5: Flush Your DNS Cache**
As with the GUI method, it’s important to flush your DNS cache after making changes via the command line. Use the following command:
ipconfig /flushdns
Close the Command Prompt window.
## Reverting to Default DNS Settings
If you want to revert to using your ISP’s default DNS servers, follow these steps:
**Method 1: GUI Method**
* Follow steps 1-5 from the GUI method above.
* In the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window, select “Obtain DNS server address automatically”.
* Click “OK” in both properties windows.
* Flush your DNS cache using the `ipconfig /flushdns` command in the command prompt.
**Method 2: Command Line Method**
* Open Command Prompt as administrator.
* Use the following command to revert to automatic DNS configuration. Replace `”Network Adapter Name”` with the name of your network adapter.
netsh interface ipv4 set dns name=”Network Adapter Name” source=dhcp
* Flush your DNS cache using the `ipconfig /flushdns` command.
## Troubleshooting
If you encounter problems after changing your DNS settings, consider the following:
* **Incorrect DNS Server Addresses:** Double-check that you’ve entered the DNS server addresses correctly. Even a small typo can prevent your computer from resolving domain names.
* **Firewall Interference:** Your firewall might be blocking access to the new DNS servers. Temporarily disable your firewall to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, you’ll need to configure your firewall to allow access to the DNS server ports (typically port 53).
* **Router Issues:** Some routers may override your DNS settings. Check your router’s configuration to ensure it’s not interfering with your custom DNS settings. Try rebooting your router.
* **ISP Issues:** In rare cases, your ISP might be blocking access to certain DNS servers. If you suspect this is the case, try using a different DNS server.
* **Conflicting Network Adapters:** If you have multiple network adapters (e.g., a wired and a wireless connection), make sure you’re configuring the correct adapter. Disabling unused network adapters can help.
* **DNS Cache Issues:** A corrupted DNS cache can sometimes cause problems. Try flushing your DNS cache multiple times.
* **Validate Settings Upon Exit Failure:** If the “Validate settings upon exit” test fails, carefully review the entered DNS server addresses. Sometimes, a simple restart of the network adapter or the computer can resolve the issue.
## Security Considerations
While changing your DNS settings can improve security, it’s important to choose a reputable DNS server. Some malicious actors may operate rogue DNS servers that redirect users to phishing websites or serve malware. Before switching to a new DNS server, research its reputation and security features.
Also, be aware of DNS hijacking or DNS poisoning attacks. These attacks involve attackers compromising DNS servers and redirecting traffic to malicious websites. Using DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) can help to mitigate these risks. Some DNS servers, like Quad9, offer DNSSEC validation.
## Conclusion
Changing your DNS settings in Windows 7 is a simple process that can provide significant benefits, including improved speed, security, and access to content. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily configure your DNS settings to use the DNS server of your choice. Remember to research your DNS options, double-check your settings, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. With the right DNS configuration, you can enhance your online experience and protect your computer from online threats.