How to Turn On DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows 11
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows 11 hides the web addresses you visit from your internet provider by scrambling your web traffic. Windows 11 version 21H2 and newer versions include this privacy setting right inside the network menus so you do not need extra software.
Every website address you type goes through a Domain Name System (DNS), which acts like a phone book to turn web names into numeric IP addresses. Standard DNS requests are easy for snoops on your network to read, but DoH wraps those requests in web encryption to keep your browsing private.
Enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Windows 11 by navigating to Settings Network & internet, selecting your connection, and editing DNS server assignment to Manual. Choose your preferred DNS provider and set encryption to “Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).
What is DNS over HTTPS (DoH)?
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a security feature that hides your web browsing requests by encrypting them. Standard web requests travel in plain text that anyone on your network can read. DNS over HTTPS Windows 11 wraps these lookups in an encrypted HTTPS connection, stopping internet service providers and snoopers from seeing which websites you visit.
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) encrypts internet address lookups. This encryption sends requests through a secure connection, much like your web browser connects securely to websites. This secure method helps keep your online activity private from unauthorized access.
How to Turn On DNS over HTTPS in 🪟 Windows 11
You can turn on DNS over HTTPS Windows 11 directly inside the main Settings app using your network properties. Open Settings, go to Network & internet, and select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection. Click your network properties, find the DNS server assignment setting, and change it to a provider that supports encryption.
- Open Settings : Click the Start button (Windows logo) at the bottom left of your screen. Then click the Settings gear icon.
- Go to Network settings: In the Settings window, click Network & internet from the left menu.
- Choose your connection: Click on the network you use. If you have a wired connection, click Ethernet. If you use Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi instead.
- Find DNS settings: Scroll down until you see DNS server assignment. Click the Edit button next to it.
- Change to manual: In the Edit DNS settings window, click the dropdown menu. Change it from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4 or IPv6: Turn on the switch for IPv4 or IPv6. You can turn on both if you want.
- Add DNS addresses: Type in the DNS addresses you want to use. See the list below for popular choices.
- Enable encryption: Under Encryption, select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).
- Save your changes: Click Save to apply the settings.
Popular DNS Servers You Can Use
Popular DNS servers for Windows 11 include trusted providers like Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, and Quad9. These companies support DNS over HTTPS Windows 11 and offer fast, secure connections that protect your privacy. Using a reliable third-party provider instead of your internet provider's default settings often speeds up page loading times too.
| DNS Provider | Type | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS (IPv4) | IPv4 | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare (IPv4) | IPv4 | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 (IPv4) | IPv4 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
| Google Public DNS (IPv6) | IPv6 | 2001:4860:4860::8888 | 2001:4860:4860::8844 |
| Cloudflare (IPv6) | IPv6 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 | 2606:4700:4700::1001 |
| Quad9 (IPv6) | IPv6 | 2620:fe::fe | 2620:fe::fe:9 |
After saving changes, your DNS configuration matches this layout:
This practice keeps all outbound internet traffic safe.
Summary
- Turning on DNS over HTTPS (DoH) makes your web browsing more private and secure.
- It stops others from spying on or changing the websites you visit.
- You can choose from trusted DNS services like Google, Cloudflare, or Quad9.
- The setup is quick and easy. You do it right inside Windows 11's Network settings.
- Remember to update all your network connections for full protection.
- If you want to learn more about DNS over HTTPS, check out this simple Cloudflare explanation page.
Turning on DNS over HTTPS Windows 11 is a quick way to protect your browsing data from prying eyes. The process takes less than two minutes through your network settings and works with major providers like Cloudflare and Google. Once enabled, your DNS lookups stay private and secure across all your web browsing.
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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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