Switching your DNS servers can improve web performance, enhance security and help you reach some sites you can’t normally access.

It’s awkward to do this manually, but Change DNS Helper is a free tool which makes the process much easier.

A straightforward interface displays everything you need to know in a single tab. Choose a target network adapter, your preferred DNS server, click “Change DNS” and you’re done.

The initial DNS server list includes more than 20 options, including Google, OpenDNS, Comodo, Yandex, Norton.

These are stored in an INI file and very easy to change. Here’s the basic format.

[IPV4]
US – Google Public DNS=8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4
US – Comodo Secure DNS=8.26.56.26,8.20.247.20

Choose a network adapter, one of 20+ DNS servers, click a button- done.

Just add your new DNS server and IP addresses in the form name=1.1.1.1,2.2.2.2 and it’ll appear in the list.

Unusually, Change DNS Helper enables changing DNS servers for IPv4 and IPv6 connections separately.

There are also some handy options to reset, save or back up your DNS settings.

You’ll be briefly annoyed by features like a “Hide IP Address” button, which doesn’t hide your IP address itself, instead opening your web browser at the Hide My Ass site (gee, thanks). But once you know not to click it, this doesn’t really matter.

There’s no shortage of similar tools around, but Change DNS Helper’s IPv4 and IPv6 support and it’s lengthy, editable default list of DNS servers help the program stand out. Give it a try.

Change DNS Helper requires Windows XP or later.