How to Switch to Google DNS on Windows and What to Expect

Setting Up Google DNS on Windows: My Confusing Journey, But Here’s How I Got It Sorted

So, if websites are taking ages to load or your browsing feels a bit patchy, switching your DNS to a service like Google’s might actually help. It’s not guaranteed to fix everything, but it’s worth a shot. Google DNS is known for being quick, reliable, and offering some extra security—like helping prevent DNS hijacking or malicious redirects. Just a quick heads-up, tweaking DNS settings can sometimes interfere with features like BitLocker, so if you use that, be cautious. Changing or clearing DNS could cause BitLocker to lose your recovery key, which might stop your device from booting without it. Best to back that up first, just in case.

Why Bother Changing?

Many people notice faster load times after switching to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4—Google’s public DNS servers. If your internet provider’s DNS is slow or flaky—maybe overloaded or badly maintained—changing over can make browsing a lot smoother. Plus, Google DNS has some security perks, offering protection against certain types of spoofing attacks. But keep in mind, speed isn’t always guaranteed; it depends on your location, network setup, and hardware. So don’t expect miracles, but it’s a simple tweak that could make a difference.

How to Check Your Current DNS Settings

Before diving in, it’s worth knowing what DNS servers you’re currently using. Sometimes the problem isn’t DNS at all, but your hardware or connection quality. To check, I usually open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all. Among the details there, you’ll see your current DNS servers. If your internet feels sluggish, switching DNS is a quick troubleshooting step—since the settings are buried in Windows’ network options, it can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

How to Change DNS on Windows (The Slightly Clunky Way)

This is where I got a bit stuck—finding the right menu, especially on an older ASUS laptop. The DNS settings are tucked away in a less-than-intuitive spot, so I’ll share what finally worked for me. It’s not the most straightforward process, so bear with me.

1. Open the Control Panel

   I usually press the Windows key, then hit S and type “Control Panel”. Hit Enter. Sometimes it’s inside “Network & Internet” or the Settings app, but Control Panel feels more direct. Just remember, it can be a bit tucked away, especially on newer Windows versions.

2. Navigate to Network and Sharing Centre

   Inside Control Panel, click on Network and Internet, then select Network and Sharing Centre. It can be a bit hidden if you’re not used to exploring—it’s often buried in there. For quicker access, right-click your network icon in the taskbar tray, then choose Open Network & Internet settings, and click “Change adapter options” under “Advanced network settings”. That’s usually faster. I tend to do that myself.

3. Select Your Active Connection

   Look for your current connection—either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Click on the link next to “Connections”, which might be labelled with your network’s name or “Ethernet”. A window pops up showing connection details. Find the Properties button—sometimes it’s easy to miss. In that window, you’ll see a list of network protocols used, which is where the DNS settings are hidden.

4. Edit TCP/IP Settings

   In the list, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). It’s usually selected by default. Highlight it, then click Properties. If you’re feeling advanced, you can also adjust IPv6—but unless you know what you’re doing, I recommend sticking with IPv4 for now. Messing with IPv6 can lead to extra headaches, and I focused on IPv4 first.

5. Enter Google DNS Manually

   In the properties window, select Use the following DNS server addresses. Change the dropdown if needed. Then, in Preferred DNS server, enter 8.8.8.8. In Alternate DNS server, put 8.8.4.4. If you want an alternative DNS with a focus on privacy, you could try Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, but in my experience, Google usually does the trick well enough.

6. Save and Restart

   Click OK on all windows, then close them up. To be sure your new settings take effect, I recommend opening Command Prompt as an administrator and typing ipconfig /flushdns to clear the local DNS cache. Alternatively, disabling and re-enabling your network adapter in Device Manager, or simply rebooting the machine, will also do the trick.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Sometimes, you might see errors like “This connection uses the network’s assigned DNS server” or permission issues. If your internet stops working after making the change, double-check you’ve entered the DNS addresses correctly. Also, if you’re experiencing DNS-related issues, disabling IPv6 can sometimes help. For many, turning off IPv6 in the adapter properties has cleared up the weird DNS behaviour. And remember, changing DNS could interfere with features like BitLocker—so back up your recovery key beforehand just to be safe.

Not all devices or networks will play nicely with all DNS servers. If stuff stops working, reboot your PC, recheck your entries, or revert to your original settings. Some hardware providers or OEM setups might limit what you can change, so keep that in mind.

At the end of the day, switching to Google’s DNS isn’t a magic solution for every issue—browsing can still be slow for other reasons—but it gives you a new tool to troubleshoot. Personally, it made my browsing a bit less frustrating, and I feel more in control of my network settings now.

Hope this rambling guide helps! It took me ages to figure out all the options, especially since they’re scattered and hidden. If you decide to give it a go, double-check your entries, consider disabling IPv6 if DNS keeps acting up, and maybe reboot to be safe. Good luck!