How to Change DNS Server Addresses in Windows 11 Settings for IPv4 and IPv6

Domain Name System (DNS) servers translate human-readable website names (such as digitash.com) into numerical IP addresses required to route network traffic. By default, Windows 11 inherits DNS servers assigned automatically by your local broadband router and internet service provider (ISP). However, ISP DNS servers often suffer from slow response latencies, log browsing queries, or fail to resolve newly registered domains. Configuring fast, secure third-party DNS resolvers (such as Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8) directly in Windows 11 Settings improves browsing speed and security.

Configuring Custom DNS in Windows 11 Network Settings

Windows 11 modernises network configuration, allowing you to configure DNS per network adapter without opening the legacy Control Panel:

1. Press Windows Key + I to launch the Settings app.
2. Select Network & internet from the navigation sidebar on the left.
3. Click on your active connection type: Wi-Fi (and then click Hardware properties) or Ethernet.
4. Scroll down to the section labelled DNS server assignment.
5. Click the Edit button.
6. In the pop-up modal, change the top drop-down from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
7. Toggle on the switch for IPv4.

Entering Primary and Alternate DNS Addresses

Enter the numerical addresses for your chosen privacy-focused resolver service:

• Cloudflare DNS:
  • Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
  • Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
• Google Public DNS:
  • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
• DNS over HTTPS (DoH) Encryption: If your chosen provider supports encrypted DNS, click the DNS encryption selector beneath each address field and choose Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS). This scrambles all lookup queries against local ISP snooping.
• Click Save.

Configuring IPv6 DNS Addresses (Optional)

If your local internet provider supports native IPv6 connectivity, toggle on the IPv6 switch in the same dialogue and enter corresponding IPv6 resolvers:

• Cloudflare IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
• Google IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844

Flushing the Windows DNS Resolver Cache

To ensure Windows immediately clears old cached lookups and routes queries through your new resolvers, open Windows Terminal and run:

ipconfig /flushdns