Finding Your DNS Server Address for Windows Vista and XP

The DNS server is where your computer goes to convert internet addresses like "yahoo.com" to the series of numbers that the internet protocols understand. It works behind the scenes to direct your browser, applications and gaming systems to the correct internet address. The DNS server can address information for your computer that can be very useful in several circumstances. This information is needed in order to connect some gaming systems to the Internet, setting up a static Internet connection to your router and other applications. It is not difficult to find this information but it is not something that you can find intuitively with the Windows systems.

To find your information in Vista, you start out by clicking the windows icon in the lower left side of your screen. Next go to all programs and select accessories. Once in your accessories menu, select "Run". This will bring up a pop up box on your screen. Where it says open, type in "cmd" with no quotations. This will bring up your cmd window. At this point type in "ipconfig /all" without the quotations. There is a space between ipconfig and /all. This will bring up a whole bunch of information. If you scroll up near the top you will find your DNS server information. The top series of numbers is your preferred DNS server and the second number is your alternative DNS server. You can also find your IP address information on this screen.

To find your information in XP is even easier. You start out by clicking the start button in the lower left side of your screen. You will then see run in the bottom of the left hand column that pops up on your screen. Click on run. This will bring up a pop up box on your screen. Where it says open, type in "cmd" with no quotations. This will bring up your cmd window. At this point type in "ipconfig /all" without the quotations. There is a space between ipconfig and /all. This will bring up a whole bunch of information. If you scroll up near the top you will find your DNS server information. The top series of numbers is your preferred DNS server and the second number is your alternative DNS server. You can also find your IP address information on this screen.

The pictures with this article shows the steps involved for the Vista operating system.