How to Enable Secure DNS in Microsoft Edge

Choose secure DNS in the Microsoft Edge browser.

As mentioned, the Microsoft Edge browser typically uses the default DNS assigned by your internet service provider.

If you want to use custom secure DNS providers, Edge offers options.

Here’s how to set that up.

First, open the Microsoft Edge browser.

Then, click the 3 horizontal dots button for Settings and more (Alt+F) in the top right corner and select Settings.

Next, select Privacy, search, and services from the left-hand menu.

In the Settings -> Privacy, search, and services pane, look under the Security section. Toggle the switch on the tile that reads "Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites" to On or Off.

If you turn this on, you'll also need to select a DNS provider:

• Use the current service provider
• Choose a service provider:
  • NextDNS
  • OpenDNS
  • Google (Public DNS)
  • Cloudflare
  • CleanBrowsing (Family Filter)

Enable or disable the use of secure DNS in Edge via the Windows Registry Editor

You can also use the Windows Registry to enable or disable secure DNS in Microsoft Edge.

To do this, first open the Windows Registry and navigate to the registry folder path shown below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

If the Edge folder key isn't there, right-click the parent Microsoft key and create a new subkey named Edge.

Next, right-click in the Edge folder key's right pane and select New › DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new item BuiltInDnsClientEnabled.

Double-click BuiltInDnsClientEnabled. Enter 1 for the Value data to enable secure DNS in Microsoft Edge. A Value data of 0 will disable it.

That should do it. Remember to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If you enable secure DNS and choose a compatible provider, Edge will use it. If the provider doesn't support it, Edge will fall back to no security.

When you enable secure DNS and select a provider from the list, your browser's DNS traffic will be routed through that provider's infrastructure.

Alternatively, you can easily enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows 11.

All set!

Conclusion:

• The article provides comprehensive guidance on enabling or disabling secure DNS in the Microsoft Edge browser.
• Users can choose from a list of trusted secure DNS providers, including NextDNS, OpenDNS, Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, and others, to enhance their browsing security.
• It also offers an alternative method, using the Windows Registry Editor, to turn on or off secure DNS in Microsoft Edge.
• Users are reminded to restart their computers for the changes to take effect.
• Additionally, it suggests enabling DNS over HTTPS (DoH) as an alternative option for enhancing browsing security in Windows 11.