You may want to consider changing your default DNS server on your Windows 7 computer to Google Public DNS.  There are a few reasons why you’d want to do this:

• More speed
• Enhanced security (debatable)
• Perhaps most importantly, goodbye sponsored DNS error pages from your ISP.

You’re running Windows 7, so you’re either fresh off an upgrade or have a relatively new computer.  Either way, now is the time to switch over to Google Public DNS.

DNS (Domain Name System) is the Internet’s lookup system whereby easily remembered domain names are translated on-the-fly to cryptic IP addresses where the content resides that you’re trying to access.  In an effort to speed up the web, Google launched a free DNS service in 2009.

To switch over to Google Public DNS on Windows 7, please follow these instructions (or check out Google’s):

1. Click the “Start” button
2. Click “Control Panel” in the menu
3. Click “Network and Sharing Center
4. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS (I recommend doing this for all connections)
5. A prompt will open showing the connection’s status, click “Properties”
6. Under the “Networking” tab, double click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” beneath “This connection uses the following items”
7. IMPORTANT: Make note of the current settings (write them down!) and also write down Google’s Public DNS telephone support numbers which are 877-590-4367 (inside the USA) and 770-200-1201 (outside the USA).  You’ll need this stuff if you mess up.
8. Select “Use the following DNS server addresses:”  (Note: do not modify the IP address section)
   1. Change the “Preferred DNS server” to 8.8.8.8
   2. Change the “Alternate DNS server” to 8.8.4.4
9. Click “OK”
10. Click “OK” again (on the Connection Properties window)
11. Repeat these steps for all connections you wish to enable Google DNS for (wireless, LAN, etc.)
12. Restart the computer

After this, you’re all good to go!  Remember, if you want to use Google Public DNS on future connections (at the office, for instance), you’ll need to configure it for each new connection.  Just remember to use the DNS servers 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.   The steps above can also be roughly followed on other versions of Windows, but the prompts may be slightly different.

If you run into problems getting Internet access after making these changes, Google Public DNS telephone support can be reached at 877-590-4367 (inside the USA) and 770-200-1201 (outside the USA).