How to Enable or Disable DNR in Windows 11
Network-designated Resolvers (DNR) in Windows 11 is a built-in privacy setting that automatically finds and uses secure DNS servers on your network. Turning on DNR keeps your web browsing private by stopping your internet service provider from tracking the websites you visit.
You can turn this feature on or off directly in Windows 11 without needing any extra software. Secure DNS traffic protects your data from prying eyes every time you open a web page.
Enable or disable DNR in Windows 11 by editing the Registry Editor. Navigate to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesDnscacheParameters, find or create the EnableDnr DWORD value, and set it to 1 to enable or 0 to disable, then restart your computer.
What is DNR?
DNR (Discovery of Network-designated Resolvers) sends online requests through protected channels, making internet use more private. This capability remains exclusive to Windows Insider Preview program participants for now.
Membership grants access to early builds before public rollouts.
How to Turn On DNR in 🪟 Windows 11
Members of the Windows Insider Preview program can apply these steps:
Step 1Open the Registry Editor
- Press
Windows + Ron your keyboard. - Type
regeditand press Enter. - ⚠️ Admin Required: If a message appears asking for permission, click Yes.
Step 2Go to the DNS Cache Location
- Navigate to this location in the Registry Editor:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters
Step 3Find or Create the EnableDnr Setting
You can turn DNR on or off by changing the EnableDnr value inside Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced system settings). Press the Windows key, type regedit, and press Enter to open it. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft to find your setting, then change the number to 1 to turn DNR on or 0 to turn it off.
- Look for
EnableDnrin the right pane. - Double-click it.
- Change the value to
1to turn on DNR. - Change the value to
0to turn it off.
If `EnableDnr` is missing:
- Right-click on an empty space in the right pane.
- Choose
New → DWORD (32-bit) Value. - Name it
EnableDnr. - Double-click it and set its value to
1to enable.
Step 4Restart Your Computer
- Close Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Windows 11 automatically utilizes encrypted DNS servers for heightened security. DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) hides online activity from eavesdroppers, safeguarding personal information.
More About DNR
DNR (DNS Name Resolution) encrypts your internet traffic by automatically finding secure DNS servers for your connection. This works using modern security standards like DoH (DNS over HTTPS) to keep your web browsing private from prying eyes. Right now, this feature is only available if you use Windows Insider Preview builds.
Participation requires enrollment in the Windows Insider Preview program. Readers seeking access can review this guide: How to Get Windows 11 Insider Preview.
Helpful Links and References
Summary
DNR in Windows 11 helps your PC automatically find and use secure DNS servers to improve your online privacy. It works by encrypting your DNS requests so your browsing stays safer. You can manage this feature on Windows Insider Preview builds by editing the Windows Registry.
- DNR helps your PC find and use secure DNS servers automatically.
- This improves your online privacy by encrypting DNS requests.
- It's only available in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds for now.
- You can turn DNR on or off by editing a simple setting in the Windows Registry.
- If you want safer browsing and are part of the Insider program, turning on DNR is a great step!
What is DNR domain name resolution?
Domain Name Resolution, or DNR, is how computers determine website addresses for navigation.
Does 🪟 Windows 11 collect your data?
Privacy-conscious users often wonder how Microsoft handles background data collection. While adjusting system privacy settings helps limit data sharing, telemetry services remain active across Windows 11.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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