How To Enable DNS Over HTTPS In Windows 11

When it comes to securing your online activities, enabling DNS over HTTPS (DoH) can be a game-changer. DoH encrypts your domain name system (DNS) traffic, offering an additional layer of privacy and security. With Windows 11, you can easily enable DoH and enhance your browsing experience. But how exactly can you do that? Let's explore the steps together.

Enabling DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 is a straightforward process. By configuring your DNS settings to use a DoH server, you can ensure that your DNS queries are encrypted and protected from malicious actors. Not only does this safeguard your privacy, but it also helps prevent potential DNS-based attacks. With the rise in cyber threats, enabling DNS over HTTPS has become increasingly important, providing a solution that combines security and convenience.

Understanding DNS Over HTTPS in Windows 11

DNS, or Domain Name System, is responsible for translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. DNS queries are traditionally sent in plain text, which means the data can be intercepted and tampered with. DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a protocol that encrypts and secures DNS traffic by encapsulating it within the HTTPS protocol. This provides an additional layer of privacy and security by preventing third parties from eavesdropping on your DNS requests. Windows 11 now includes built-in support for DNS over HTTPS, allowing users to easily enable this feature to enhance their online privacy and security.

Enabling DNS Over HTTPS in Windows 11

To enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Open the Start menu and click on "Settings" to launch the Windows Settings app.
• Step 2: In the Settings app, click on "Network & internet" to access network settings.
• Step 3: Under the "Advanced network settings" section, click on "DNS" to manage DNS settings.
• Step 4: Scroll down to the "Use encrypted DNS" section and toggle the switch to "On" to enable DNS over HTTPS.

Once enabled, Windows 11 will use DNS over HTTPS for all DNS queries, ensuring that your DNS traffic is encrypted and secure. It's important to note that DNS over HTTPS relies on DNS servers that support this protocol, so make sure your DNS provider supports DoH before enabling this feature.

Choosing a DNS over HTTPS Provider

When enabling DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11, you have the option to choose a DNS over HTTPS provider. This allows you to select the DNS service that will handle your encrypted DNS requests. Here are a few popular DNS over HTTPS providers:

Cloudflare	Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS service offers support for DNS over HTTPS and is known for its focus on privacy and security.
Google Public DNS	Google Public DNS also supports DNS over HTTPS, providing fast and reliable DNS resolution.
Quad9	Quad9 is a DNS service that focuses on security and blocks access to known malicious websites.

These are just a few examples of DNS over HTTPS providers. You can choose any provider that supports DNS over HTTPS and meets your requirements for privacy, security, and performance.

Customizing DNS Server Settings

In addition to enabling DNS over HTTPS and choosing a provider, Windows 11 also allows you to customize your DNS server settings. This gives you more control over how DNS queries are handled. Here's how you can customize DNS server settings:

• Step 1: Open the Windows Settings app and navigate to "Network & internet" > "DNS" as described earlier.
• Step 2: Scroll down to the "Customize DNS server settings" section and click on the "Properties" button.
• Step 3: In the DNS server properties window, you can manually enter the IP addresses of your preferred DNS servers.
• Step 4: Click on "OK" to save the changes.

By customizing DNS server settings, you can choose specific DNS servers that you trust or that offer enhanced features, such as blocking ads or filtering malicious content.

Exploring Additional DNS Over HTTPS Features in Windows 11

Aside from enabling DNS over HTTPS and customizing DNS server settings, Windows 11 offers additional features related to DNS over HTTPS that can further enhance your online experience. Let's explore some of these features:

DNS Caching

Windows 11 includes a DNS cache that stores recently accessed domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. This cache improves the speed and efficiency of DNS resolution, reducing the latency of subsequent DNS queries. DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 takes advantage of this DNS cache, ensuring that even encrypted DNS queries benefit from the caching mechanism.

Clearing the DNS Cache

If you encounter DNS-related issues or want to refresh the DNS cache, you can clear the DNS cache in Windows 11 using the Command Prompt. Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)".
• Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the command ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

This will clear the DNS cache in Windows 11, and the system will start fresh when resolving domain names.

DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions)

DNSSEC is a set of extensions to DNS that adds an additional layer of security by digitally signing DNS records. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of DNS data, preventing DNS spoofing and other malicious activities. Windows 11 includes built-in support for DNSSEC, allowing you to verify the authenticity of DNS responses when using DNS over HTTPS.

Verifying DNSSEC in Windows 11

To verify whether a DNS response is DNSSEC-signed in Windows 11, you can use the Command Prompt. Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open the Command Prompt.
• Step 2: Type the command nslookup -type=DS <domain name> and replace "<domain name>" with the domain name you want to check.
• Step 3: If the response includes the "ad" flag (e.g., "adflag = 1"), it means the DNS response is DNSSEC-signed.

This allows you to verify the authenticity and integrity of DNS records, further enhancing the security of your DNS queries in Windows 11.

By enabling DNS over HTTPS, customizing DNS server settings, and exploring additional features like DNS caching and DNSSEC in Windows 11, you can enhance your online privacy, security, and browsing experience. Take advantage of these features and ensure that your DNS queries are encrypted and protected from prying eyes.

Enabling DNS Over HTTPS in Windows 11

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a protocol that encrypts your DNS traffic, enhancing your online privacy and security. With Windows 11, you can enable DoH to further protect your DNS queries. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Using the Settings App

1. Open the "Settings" app by clicking on the "Start" button and selecting the gear icon.

2. Click on "Network & Internet."

3. Select "Advanced network settings" and then click on "DNS settings."

4. Scroll down and click on "Use provider" to enable DoH. Choose a provider from the dropdown menu or enter a custom DoH server address.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

1. Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."

2. Type the following command: netsh interface ipv4 set dns name="YOUR_CONNECTION_NAME" source=dhcp register=PRIMARY validate=no

3. Replace "YOUR_CONNECTION_NAME" with the name of your network connection.

4. Press Enter to execute the command.

By following these steps, you can easily enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 and enjoy a safer and more secure browsing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a privacy-focused feature that encrypts DNS queries, providing an additional layer of security for users. Enabling DoH in Windows 11 allows you to protect your DNS traffic from eavesdropping and manipulation. Here are some frequently asked questions about enabling DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11:

1. How can I check if DNS over HTTPS is enabled on my Windows 11 device?

To check if DNS over HTTPS is enabled on your Windows 11 device, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

2. Click on "Network & internet" and select "Advanced network settings."

3. Scroll down and click on "Manage known networks."

4. Select your active network and click on "Properties."

5. Under "IP settings," check if "DNS over HTTPS" is enabled. If it is, you'll see "Enabled" next to it.

2. How do I enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11?

To enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11, you can follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

2. Click on "Network & internet" and select "Advanced network settings."

3. Scroll down and click on "Manage known networks."

4. Select your active network and click on "Properties."

5. Under "IP settings," toggle the switch next to "DNS over HTTPS" to enable it.

3. Can I use DNS over HTTPS with any DNS provider in Windows 11?

Yes, DNS over HTTPS can be used with any DNS provider that supports the DoH protocol. Windows 11 provides a default DNS over HTTPS provider, but you can also manually configure a custom provider of your choice.

To configure a custom DNS over HTTPS provider, you can follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

2. Click on "Network & internet" and select "Advanced network settings."

3. Scroll down and click on "Manage known networks."

4. Select your active network and click on "Properties."

5. Under "IP settings," click on "Edit DNS settings."

6. Select "Use a custom DNS server" and enter the DNS server address of your preferred provider that supports DNS over HTTPS.

4. What are the benefits of enabling DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11?

Enabling DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 has several benefits:

1. Privacy: DNS queries are encrypted, providing an additional layer of privacy as your DNS traffic cannot be easily intercepted or monitored.

2. Security: DNS over HTTPS helps protect against DNS spoofing attacks and safeguards your browsing activities from potential manipulation.

3. Reliability: By utilizing a secure connection for DNS queries, you can ensure a more reliable and consistent browsing experience.

5. Can I disable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11?

Yes, you can disable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 if you prefer not to use this feature. To disable DNS over HTTPS, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

Enabling DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows 11 is a simple and effective way to enhance your online privacy and security. By encrypting your DNS queries, you can prevent your internet service provider and other third parties from eavesdropping on your browsing activity and collecting your data.

To enable DoH in Windows 11, you'll need to use a compatible DNS resolver that supports DoH, such as Cloudflare or Google Public DNS. Once you've chosen your preferred DNS resolver, you can configure Windows 11 to use DoH by following a few steps. Open the Network & Internet settings, click on the "Advanced network settings," select your network connection, and click on the "Properties" button. From there, you can enable the "Use DNS over HTTPS" option by toggling the switch, and then enter the DoH server address provided by your DNS resolver. Finally, click "Ok" to save the changes, and you've successfully enabled DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11.

By enabling DNS over HTTPS, you can enjoy a more secure and private browsing experience on your Windows 11 device. Your DNS queries will be encrypted, preventing unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Take control of your online privacy and stay one step ahead of potential threats by enabling DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 today.