DNS is a required component for domain-based networking in Windows. It enables your computer to resolve hostnames to IP addresses.
Without DNS, you would be unable to access resources on other computers in your network.
In Windows 8 and Windows 10, the DNS Server role is included in the Windows Server operating system. This means that DNS is automatically enabled on a server when it is installed.
You can also enable DNS on a server by using the Server Manager tool.
If you want to use a third-party DNS service, you must also install the DNS Server role on your computer.
Windows 10 includes a new feature called the Network Location Awareness service. This service uses DNS to enable your computer to discover the network locations of other devices on your network.
This feature is disabled by default. You can enable it by following these steps:.
1. In the Start menu, click Settings.
2. Click System and Security.
3. Click Network and Internet.
4. In the left pane, under Network, click Connections.
5. Under Local Area Networks, click your network connection.
6. Under That connection, click Properties.
7. In the General tab, under Network and Internet, click DNS.
8. In the Use the following DNS server addresses field, type the addresses of the DNS servers that you want to use.
9. (Optional) In the Preferred DNS server field, type the address of the DNS server that you want to use.
10. (Optional) In the Alternate DNS server field, type the address of the DNS server that you want to use.
11. (Optional) Under Use the following TCP port for DNS services field, type the port number that you want to use for DNS services.
12. (Optional) Under Use the following UDP port for DNS services field, type the port number that you want to use for DNS services.
13. (Optional) Under Use the following SMB port for DNS services field, type the port number that you want to use for DNS services.
14. (Optional) Under Allow other programs to open this port for DNS services field, type the name of a program that you want to allow to open the TCP port for DNS services and the SMB port for DNS services.
15. (Optional) Under Allow other programs to open this port for DNS services for diagnostic purposes field, type the name of a program that you want to allow to open the TCP port for DNS services and the SMB port for DNS services for diagnostic purposes.
16. (Optional) Under Use the following domain name suffix for DNS services field, type the suffix of the domain name that you want to use for DNS services.
17. (Optional) Click OK.
You can also configure your computer to use a DNS server by using the Network and Sharing Center.
To configure your computer to use a DNS server by using the Network and Sharing Center, follow these steps:
1. Open the Network and Sharing Center. In the left pane, under Network connections, click your network connection. In the right pane, under Local Area Networks, click Change adapter settings. Under Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), click Properties. Under Use the following DNS server addresses, type the addresses of the DNS servers that you want to use. (Optional) Under Use the following domain name suffix for DNS services field, type the suffix of the domain name that you want.
