Reference number: CH001161

How can I change my computers DNS address?

Question:

How can I change my computers DNS address?

Answer:

Note: Before changing your DNS addresses, you must have the new DNS address ready to be entered. If you do not know the DNS address, contact your ISP or the company/school IT department. If you're wanting to use OpenDNS, the addresses are: DNS1: 208.67.222.222 and DNS2: 208.67.220.220. We also suggest that if a DNS address is already entered, you write the address information down in case you need to change it back.

Microsoft Windows 7 users

1. Click Start and then Control Panel
2. Click View network status and tasks
3. Click Change adapter settings on the left portion of the Window.
4. Double-click the icon for the Internet connection you're using. Often this will be labeled "Local Area Connection" or the name of your ISP. If you have multiple connections, make sure not to click the one with the red X.
5. Click the Properties button.
6. Click and highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
7. If not already selected, select Use the following DNS server addresses
8. Enter the new DNS addresses and then click Ok and close out of all other windows.

Microsoft Windows Vista users

1. Click Start and then Control Panel
2. Click View network status and tasks
3. Click View status for the network connection.
4. Click Properties and Continue.
5. Click and highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
6. If not already selected, select Use the following DNS server addresses
7. Enter the new DNS addresses and then click Ok and close out of all other windows.

Microsoft Windows XP users

1. Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel window double-click the Network Connections icon.
3. Double-click the icon for the Internet connection you're using. Often this will be labeled "Local Area Connection" or the name of your ISP.  If you have multiple connections, make sure not to click the one with the red X.
4. Click the Properties button.
5. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the connection items list and click the Properties button.
6. Select Use the following DNS server addresses if not already selected.
7. Enter the new DNS addresses and then click Ok and close out of all other windows.

Windows 98 users

1. Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel window double-click the Network icon.
3. Highlight TCP/IP Ethernet adapter in the connection items list and click the Properties button.
4. In the Properties Window click the DNS Configuration tab and select Enable DNS.
5. If any DNS Server is listed, highlight each and click the Remove button.
6. Once no DNS is listed type in the new addresses and click the Add button.
7. Once all added, click Ok and close out of all other windows.

Additional information:

• See our DNS and TCP/IP dictionary definitions for additional information about this term and related links