Set custom DNS servers on Windows (all versions)

Setting custom DNS servers on your Windows PC can improve performance, increase your privacy and thwart Geo-blocking for some websites and services, and I will show you how to do it in this guide.

Normally your ISP sets your DNS servers via your modem or upstream connection, but you don’t have to use these, and it’s highly recommended you change to free, public DNS servers that don’t necessarily track you.

Before changing DNS servers you’ll need to find a third-party DNS provider, there are plenty of good (and free) services available too. I personally recommend Google DNS which is what I use and have never had an issue. I will list here the most popular DNS providers:

GOOGLE
Primary IPv4: 8.8.8.8
Secondary IPv4: 8.8.4.4
Preferred IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888
Alternate IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8844
OPENDNS
Primary: 208.67.222.222
Secondary: 208.67.220.220
Preferred IPv6: 2620:0:ccc::2
Alternate IPv6: 2620:0:ccd::2
DNS.WATCH
Primary: 84.200.69.80
Secondary: 84.200.70.40
LEVEL3
Primary: 209.244.0.3
Secondary: 209.244.0.4
NORTON
Primary: 199.85.126.10
Secondary: 199.85.127.10
COMMODO
Primary: 8.26.56.26
Secondary: 8.20.247.20
VERISIGN
Primary: 64.6.64.6
Secondary: 64.6.65.6
MORE SERVERS…
See: Free and Public DNS Servers
See: Public DNS Server List (extensive)

These instructions apply to Windows XP, VISTA, 7, 8.1 and Windows 10. Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

How to set custom DNS servers on Windows

Click Start > and search for "Control Panel", then click the "Desktop App" result For Windows XP/Vista/7 go to Start > Control Panel
Click Network and Internet
Now click Network and Sharing Center
Click on Local Area Connection or Wireless Network Connection (it may be named something else, but click on anyway)
In the Status window, click on Properties button
Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click on Properties button
Select Use the following DNS server addresses option, then enter your custom IPv4 DNS server IP addresses, then click OK
(optional) Click on Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), then click Properties
Select the Use the following DNS server addresses option, then enter your custom IPv6 DNS server IP addresses, then click OK
Click on OK to close the Properties window
Click the Close button to exit the Status window
Type "CMD" in your desktop search box, then right-click on Command Prompt result and choose to Run as Administrator
Click Yes to allow the app to run
At the command prompt type: ipconfig /flushdns then hit Enter key
You should see a success message, you can now close the Command Prompt window
Your DNS servers are now set, congrats!