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Set custom DNS servers on Windows (all versions)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38P8qD8ps1s]

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 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

  1. Click Start > and search for "Control Panel", then click the "Desktop App" result For Windows XP/Vista/7 go to Start > Control PanelSet Custom DNS - Search for Control Panel
  2. Click Network and InternetSet Custom DNS - Click Network & Internet
  3. Now click Network and Sharing CenterSet Custom DNS - Click Network & Sharing Center
  4. Click on Local Area Connection or Wireless Network Connection (it might named something else, but click on anyway)Set Custom DNS - Click Local Arear Connection
  5. In the Status window, click on Properties buttonSet Custom DNS - Click Properties button
  6. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click on Properties buttonSet Custom DNS - Click on Internet Protocol Version 4, then click Properties
  7. Select Use the following DNS server addresses option, then enter your custom IPv4 DNS server IP addresses, then click OKSet Custom DNS - Click Use the following DNS servers, then enter DNS IP addresses for both fields
  8. (optional) Click on Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), then click PropertiesSet Custom DNS - Click on Internet Protocol Version 6, then click Properties
  9. Select the Use the following DNS server addresses option, then enter your custom IPv6 DNS server IP addresses, then click OKSet Custom DNS - Click Use the following DNS server address, then enter custom DNS server IP addresses for both fields
  10. Click on OK to close the Properties windowSet Custom DNS - Click on OK
  11. Click the Close button to exit the Status windowSet Custom DNS - Click the Close button to finish
  12. Type "CMD" in your desktop search box, then right-click on Command Prompt result and choose to Run as AdministratorCustom DNS - Type cmd in search box, then right-click on Command Prompt and Run as Administrator
  13. Click Yes to allow the app to runCustom DNS - Click Yes to allow the program to run as Administrator
  14. At the command prompt type: ipconfig /flushdns then hit Enter keyCustom DNS - Type ipconfig /flushdns at command prompt
  15. You should see a success message, you can now close the Command Prompt windowCustom DNS - You should now see a success message
  16. Your DNS servers are now set, congrats!

Show hidden files & folders in Windows

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=106uBxh0AC4]

Sometimes you need to view, edit or even delete hidden files and folders on Windows, but by default, Windows hides some system files (applications can also create hidden files). But there is a way to show these hidden files/folders and I’ll show you how in this guide.

Works for all version of Windows.

Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Show hidden files & folders on Windows (all versions)

  1. Depending on your version of Windows:
    1. Win XP/Vista/7: Click the Windows Start Windows 7 Start button icon
    2. Win 8/8.1: Search Windows 8 Search Icon (Metro) for "Control Panel" & click the Control Panel result
  2. Click on the Control Panel menu item
  3. Depending on your view settings:
    1. (In Category view) Click the Appearance & Personalization icon, then click the Folder Options icon
    2. (In icon view) Click on the Folder Options icon
  4. Click on the View tab
  5. Under the Hidden files & folders item, select the "Show hidden files, folders & drives"
  6. (optional) Uncheck the "Hide empty drives in the Computer folder" checkbox
  7. (optional) Uncheck the "Hide extensions of known file types" checkbox
  8. Uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" checkbox
  9. Click Yes to Alert Warning
  10. Now click on Apply, and then OK to save settings
  11. All done!
  12. NOTE* I recommend setting the "Hide protected operating system files" back to hidden after you have finished working with hidden files/folders

Perform a Disk Check on Windows (all versions)

Perform a Disk Check on Windows (all versions)

Sometimes it’s necessary to run a Disk Check on Windows if your hard drive and/or system is throwing up errors, crashing/freezing or constantly accessing the hard drive (and therefore slowing the system down). It can take a while but it will be well worth your time and solves many issues. It’s also pretty easy and I will show you how in this guide.

Perform Disk Check on Windows – Choose Version

  1. Windows 8/8.1
  2. Windows 7
  3. Windows Vista
  4. Windows XP

Perform a Disk Check on Windows XP

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aacAdp2jVz8]

Sometimes it’s necessary to run a Windows XP Disk Check if your hard drive and/or system is throwing up errors, crashing/freezing or constantly accessing the hard drive (and therefore slowing the system down). It can take a while but it will be well worth your time and solves many issues. It’s also pretty easy and I will show you how in this guide.

Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Perform Disk Check on Windows XP

  1. Click on the Start Menu Windows XP Start Button icon bottom-left
  2. Click on the My Computer menu item
  3. Look for "Local Disk (C:)" or "System Drive (C:)" under Hard Disk Drives
  4. Right-click on the drive icon and choose Properties
  5. Click on the Tools tab
  6. Now click the Check Now… button under Error Checking
  7. Check the "Automatically fix file system errors" checkbox
  8. Check the "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" checkbox
  9. Now click the Start button, if an alert pops up, click Yes
  10. Restart your computer (do not press any keys or "skip disk check")
  11. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours so be patient
  12. Your PC will return to logon screen when completed
  13. All done!

Fix overheating laptop or desktop running Windows

Fix overheating laptop or desktop running on Windows

If your desktop or laptop is persistently overheating and switching off, there is a nifty trick I’ll let you in on that normally only Pro’s know. Nine times out of ten it will solve the overheating issue, even for laptops widely know to have recurrent overheating issues like the Lenovo Y560.

I will presume you have already done the following?

  • Clean all air vents, fans & filters
  • All Windows Updates installed
  • Virus Scanned & infections removed
  • Malware scanned & infections removed

If you’ve checked those issues and you’re still having overheating issues and shutdowns, choose your operating system below to view the video & text guide.

Fix overheating issue: Choose Windows version: