How to Enable Secure DNS in Microsoft Edge
Secure DNS in Microsoft Edge is a built-in browser setting that hides the websites you visit from your internet provider by scrambling your web traffic. Standard internet requests travel in plain text, but turning on this feature routes your connection through a secure service like Cloudflare or Google.
Edge serves as the default web browser on Windows 11 and Windows 10, meaning you do not need to install extra software to protect your web history. Pick a trusted provider from the settings menu to block snoops from seeing your online activity.
Open Microsoft Edge, go to Settings Privacy, search, and services, then toggle “Use secure DNS” on or off under the Security section. You can then select a preferred DNS provider.
Choose secure DNS in the Microsoft Edge browser.
Most internet service providers route browser traffic through their own servers by default.
Custom secure DNS providers offer better privacy, and Edge gives you full control over them.
Here’s how to configure the feature.
Open Microsoft Edge, click the 3 horizontal dots button for Settings and more (Alt+F) in the top right corner, and select Settings.
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.
Activating this setting requires picking a DNS provider from the available list:
- 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
The Windows Registry offers another method for managing secure DNS in Microsoft Edge.
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.
Right-click inside the Edge folder key's right pane, select New DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name the new item BuiltInDnsClientEnabled.
Double-click BuiltInDnsClientEnabled. Enter 1 for the Value data to enable secure DNS in Microsoft Edge, or enter 0 to disable it.
Restart the computer to apply the registry modifications.
Edge routes traffic through the chosen compatible provider once configured. Unsupported providers cause the browser to fall back to standard unencrypted resolution.
Selecting a provider directs all browser DNS queries through that specific network infrastructure.
System-wide protection is also available by configuring 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.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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