How to Configure DNS over HTTPS on Windows

This guide will help you set up and configure DNS over HTTPS (DoH) on your Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems, providing complete instructions from basic setup to advanced configuration.

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 (version 1903 or higher) or Windows 11
• Administrator privileges
• Stable network connection
• Basic network configuration knowledge

Windows 11 Configuration

Step 1: Access Network Settings

1. Right-click the Start menu
2. Select “Settings”
3. Click “Network & Internet”
4. Select “Advanced network settings”
5. Click “More network adapter options”

Step 2: Configure Network Adapter

1. Right-click the active network adapter
2. Select “Properties”
3. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”
4. Click “Properties”
5. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”

Step 3: Enable DoH

1. Open Windows PowerShell (as Administrator)
2. Run the following commands:

# Enable DoH
netsh dns add encryption server=1.1.1.1 dohtemplate=https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query autoupgrade=yes udpfallback=no
netsh dns add encryption server=8.8.8.8 dohtemplate=https://dns.google/dns-query autoupgrade=yes udpfallback=no

# Verify settings
netsh dns show encryption

Windows 10 Configuration

Step 1: System Update

1. Ensure system is updated to the latest version
2. Check DoH feature support
3. Install necessary updates

Step 2: Registry Configuration

1. Open Registry Editor
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters

3. Create or modify the following value:

   EnableAutoDoh    REG_DWORD    2

Step 3: PowerShell Configuration

# Set DNS servers
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex 12 -ServerAddresses "1.1.1.1","1.0.0.1"

# Configure DoH template
Add-DnsClientDohServerAddress -ServerAddress "1.1.1.1" -DohTemplate "https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query" -AllowFallbackToUdp $False -AutoUpgrade $True

Using Third-party Clients

Simple DNSCrypt

1. Installation

   • Download latest version
   • Run installer
   • Select installation options

2. Configuration

   • Launch program
   • Select servers
   • Enable DNSSEC
   • Configure advanced options

YogaDNS

1. Installation Steps

   • Download installer
   • Run as administrator
   • Complete installation wizard

2. Basic Configuration

   • Add DoH servers
   • Set resolution rules
   • Enable DNSSEC

Verify Configuration

Method 1: Using PowerShell

# Check DNS settings
Get-DnsClientServerAddress

# Test DNS resolution
Resolve-DnsName example.com

# Verify DoH status
Get-DnsClientDohServerAddress

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

# Display DNS cache
ipconfig /displaydns

# Flush DNS cache
ipconfig /flushdns

# Check DNS resolution
nslookup example.com

Method 3: Online Testing

1. Visit DNS leak test website
2. Run standard test
3. Verify DNS request routing

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. DoH Cannot Be Enabled

   • Check system version
   • Verify administrator privileges
   • Update network drivers
   • Restart DNS client

2. Connection Issues

   • Check network connection
   • Verify DNS settings
   • Test alternative servers
   • Clear DNS cache

3. Performance Issues

   • Choose nearest server
   • Optimize cache settings
   • Monitor response time
   • Check system resources

Log Analysis

1. System Logs

   • Open Event Viewer
   • Check system logs
   • Filter DNS-related events
   • Analyze error messages

2. Network Diagnostics

   # Network diagnostics
   Test-NetConnection -ComputerName 1.1.1.1 -Port 443
   
   # Route tracing
   tracert 1.1.1.1
   
   # DNS diagnostics
   Get-DnsClientServerAddress | Format-List

Best Practices

1. Provider Selection

   • Evaluate privacy policies
   • Check service availability
   • Consider geographical location
   • Test connection speed

2. Security Recommendations

   • Enable DNSSEC
   • Use trusted providers
   • Regular system updates
   • Monitor for suspicious activity

3. Performance Optimization

   • Configure local cache
   • Optimize timeout settings
   • Use load balancing
   • Monitor system resources

Enterprise Deployment

Group Policy Configuration

1. Create Policy

   • Open Group Policy Editor
   • Navigate to DNS client settings
   • Configure DoH parameters
   • Apply policy

2. Bulk Deployment

   # Export configuration
   $config = @{
       ServerAddress = "1.1.1.1"
       DohTemplate = "https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query"
       AutoUpgrade = $true
   }
   Export-CliXml -Path "doh-config.xml" -InputObject $config
   
   # Import configuration
   $config = Import-CliXml -Path "doh-config.xml"
   Add-DnsClientDohServerAddress @config

Monitoring and Maintenance

1. Performance Monitoring

   • Deploy monitoring tools
   • Set up alert rules
   • Collect performance metrics
   • Generate reports