How to Enable or Disable Microsoft Edge Secure Network VPN

This guide explains how to turn secure DNS on or off in Microsoft Edge. Secure DNS adds an extra layer of privacy by encrypting how your browser finds websites on the internet.

Microsoft Edge is the default browser for Windows 11 users, though you can  switch to their preferred or favorite browser whenever you like. Because Edge is built on Chromium, it works similarly to other popular browsers.

Why use secure DNS?

Normally, your internet provider decides how your computer finds websites. By using secure DNS, you take control of that process. You can choose trusted providers like Cloudflare, Google, or OpenDNS to help keep your browsing habits private.

What happens when done: Your browser will send website lookup requests to your chosen provider instead of your internet company. This stops third parties from easily seeing which websites you visit. Keep in mind that if a website stops loading, the DNS provider might be the cause.

How to enable secure DNS in Microsoft Edge settings

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Click the Settings and more button (the three dots in the top right corner) or press Alt+F.
3. Select Settings.

1. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left side of the menu.

1. Scroll down to the Security section.
2. Find the option labeled “Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites.”
3. Toggle the switch to On or Off.

Once enabled, you can pick your preferred provider from the list, such as Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, or NextDNS.

How to enable or disable secure DNS using the Windows Registry Editor

You can also change this setting using the Registry Editor. Note: This method requires admin privileges.

⚠ Admin privileges required for this method

1. Open the Windows Registry.
2. Go to this folder path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

If you do not see the Edge folder, right-click on the Microsoft folder, select New, and create a Key named Edge.

1. Right-click in the empty space on the right side.
2. Select New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
3. Name the new item: BuiltInDnsClientEnabled

1. Double-click on BuiltInDnsClientEnabled.
2. In the value box, type 1 to turn it on or 0 to turn it off.

Restart your computer to save your changes.

You can also easily enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows 11 if preferred.

Summary

Enabling secure DNS is a great way to improve your online privacy. You can do this easily through the browser settings, or use the Registry Editor if you prefer an advanced method. Always remember to restart your device after making registry changes. If you encounter issues with websites loading, try switching your DNS provider or reverting to your default settings.