Quickstart: Install and configure DNS Server

Here's how to install the DNS Server role using the Install-WindowsFeature command.

1. Run PowerShell on your computer in an elevated session.

2. To install the DNS role, run the following command. The installation doesn't require a reboot.

   Install-WindowsFeature -Name DNS
   

Here's how to install the DNS Server role using Server Manager from the Windows desktop.

1. From the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, then select the Server Manager tile.

2. On the menu, go to Manage, and then select Add Roles and Features.

3. On the Before you begin page, select Next to begin.

4. On the Select installation type page, select the Role-based or feature-based installation option, and select Next.

5. On the Select destination server page, leave the default options. Select Next.

6. On the Select server roles page, select the DNS Server checkbox, and then select on the Next button.

   1. You'll be prompted to add features that are required for DNS Server, if you're happy with the defaults, select Add Features.

7. On the Select features page, you can leave the default selections, and then select on the Next button.

8. On the DNS Server page, review the role description and things to note, select Next to continue.

9. On the Confirm installation selections page, review the selected roles and features, and then select on the Install button to begin the installation process.

10. Once the installation is complete, select Close. The installation doesn't require a reboot.

Here's how to configure the interface used to listen for DNS requests using the Set-DNSServerSetting command.

1. Run PowerShell on your computer in an elevated session.

2. Find your computers existing IP address by running the Get-NetIPAddress cmdlet. Make a note of the IP address that you want to use for your DNS server.

   Get-NetIPAddress | fl IPAddress,InterfaceAlias
   

3. Store the current DNS server setting in a temporary variable, set the ListeningIpAddress property, and apply the new settings by running the following commands. Replace the placeholder <ip_address> with the IP you made a note of earlier.

   $DnsServerSettings = Get-DnsServerSetting -ALL
   $DnsServerSettings.ListeningIpAddress = @("<ip_address>")
   Set-DNSServerSetting $DnsServerSettings
   

Here's how to configure the interface used to listen for DNS requests using the DNS Manager console.

1. From the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, select Windows Administrative Tools > DNS.

2. Select and hold (or right-click) your server, and then select Properties.

3. To limit the DNS server to use a specific IP address, select Only the following IP address, select the IP address you wish to use, and then select OK.

Here's how to update a DNS root hint name server using the Set-DnsServerRootHint command.

1. Run PowerShell on your computer in an elevated session.

2. Find your computers existing IP address by running the Get-DnsServerRootHint cmdlet. Make a note of the name server that you want to update.

   Get-DnsServerRootHint
   

3. Store the current DNS server setting in a variable by running the following commands. Replace the placeholder <root_hint_name_server> with the root hint name server you noted earlier.

   $RootHintServer = (Get-DnsServerRootHint | Where-Object {$_.NameServer.RecordData.NameServer -match "<root_hint_name_server>"} )
   

4. Set the Ipv4address property in the temporary variable by running the following commands. Replace the placeholder <ip_address> with the updated IP address.

   $RootHintServer.IPAddress[0].RecordData.Ipv4address = "<ip_address>"
   

5. Apply the updated record by running the following commands.

   Set-DnsServerRootHint $RootHintServer
   

6. To check the updated root hints, run the following command. You'll notice the name server has a trailing dot (.).

   Get-DnsServerRootHint
   

Here's how to root hints using the DNS Manager console.

1. From the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, select Windows Administrative Tools > DNS.

2. Select and hold (or right-click) your server, and then select Properties.

3. Select the Root Hints tab, select the item to edit, and then select Edit.

4. Enter the fully qualified domain name, then select Resolve. Verify the IP address, and if necessary edit the IP address.

5. Select OK.

6. Review the updated root hint server in the list, when you're ready select OK. You'll notice the name server has a trailing dot (.).

Here's how to install the DNS server role using the Install-WindowsFeature command.

1. Run PowerShell on your computer in an elevated session.

2. To configure DNS forwarders, replace the placeholders <ip_forwarder_1> and <ip_forwarder_2> with the IP address of the DNS server to be used as your forwarders. Then, run the following commands.

   $Forwarders = "<ip_forwarder_1>","<ip_forwarder_2>"
   Set-DnsServerForwarder -IPAddress $Forwarders
   

Here's how to configure DNS forwarders using the DNS Manager console.

1. From the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, select Windows Administrative Tools > DNS.

2. Select and hold (or right-click) your server, and then select Properties.

3. Select the Forwarders tab, then select Edit.

4. Enter the IP address of the DNS server to forward requests to. Repeat this step as many times as you need.

5. Select OK.

6. Review the DNS server in the list, select OK or Apply to complete your configuration.

Here's how to uninstall the DNS Server role using the Uninstall-WindowsFeature command.

1. In an elevated PowerShell prompt, run the following command:

   Uninstall-WindowsFeature -Name DNS
   

Here's how to uninstall the DNS server role using Server Manager from the Windows desktop.

1. From the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, then select the Server Manager tile.
2. On the menu, go to Manage, and then select Remove Roles and Features.
3. On the Before you begin page, Select Next to begin.
4. On the Select destination server page, select the server that you want to remove the DNS server role service from, then select Next.
5. From the list, clear the DNS Server checkbox.
   1. You'll be prompted to remove features that require DNS Server, select Remove Features, then Next to continue.
6. On the Remove features page, you can leave the default selections, and then select on the Next button.
7. On the Confirm removal selections page, review the selected roles and features, and then select on the Remove.
8. Once the role and feature is removed, select Close.
9. Restart your computer to complete the uninstall.