Enable DNR in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

This article explains how to turn “Discovery of Network-designated Resolvers (DNR)” on or off in Windows 11.

The discovery of Network-designated Resolvers (DNR) is an upcoming IETF standard for discovering encrypted DNS servers. DNR enables devices to use encrypted DNS protocols like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) on the client side without requiring manual endpoint configuration.

Beginning with Windows 11 build 25982, client-side DNR is now supported in Windows 11. It’s only supported on machines registered in the Windows Insider Preview program.

By turning on DNR in Windows 11, you can use encrypted DNS protocols’ enhanced security and privacy features. This can help protect your online activities from eavesdropping, tampering, and other malicious attacks.

How to use DNR on Windows

As mentioned above, DNR is an upcoming IETF standard to discover encrypted DNS servers. It’s only supported on machines registered in the Windows Insider Preview program.

If your machine is enrolled in the Microsoft Insider Preview program, you can turn it on and use it in Windows 11.

Here’s how to do it.

First, open Windows Registry Editor.

Then, navigate to the registry key below.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters

Next, double-click the EnableDnr (REG_DWORD) name on the Explorer key’s right pane to open it. Then, enter a value 1 to enable DNR.

To disable it, enter a value of 0.

If you do not see the ‘EnableDnr ‘item, simply right-click a blank area and create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value. Then, enter the name ‘EnableDnr ‘.

You may have to restart your computer to apply the changes.

That should do it!

Reference:

Microsoft

Conclusion:

• Enabling DNR in Windows 11 enhances security and privacy by utilizing encrypted DNS protocols like DoH and DoT.
• This feature is currently supported on machines registered in the Windows Insider Preview program.
• Following the steps provided, users can easily enable or disable DNR in Windows 11 to safeguard their online activities from potential threats and attacks.