How to flush DNS cache in Windows XP / Vista / 7

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DNS request are cached by your operating system to speed up lookups. If you need to clear DNS cache for some reason(like testing your blog in a new host), you need to know the correct commands to be entered in the command prompt / terminal. We had shared the command to clear DNS cache in Mac OS X, here is the simple command line shortcut to do it in Windows.

In Windows 7 and Vista

  1. Hit Windows key and type in cmd (do not hit enter).
    Flush DNS cache in Windows
  2. In the search results that come up, right click “cmd” and run as administrator. When the screen flashes and asks for permission, accept it.
    Flush DNS cache in Windows
  3. In the command prompt, type in ipconfig /flushdns (or right click and paste it to the command prompt) and hit return.
    Flush DNS cache in Windows
  4. You should see the confirmation as shown below:
    Flush DNS cache in Windows

In Windows XP

  1. Hit Windows+R to bring up the Run dialog box.
  2. Type cmd and hit ok.
  3. In the command prompt that comes up, enter ipconfig /flushdns and hit return.

Discussion

  1. I tried to clear the dns, got the following message. Any idea on how should I proceed?

    Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
    (C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

    C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipconfig/flushdns

    Windows IP Configuration

    Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution.

    C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>

  4. run ipconfig /flushdns— I get the successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache but whe I rerun the ipconfig /displaydns command, the files are still there. Why?

  5. Actually you can add another command call “registerdns” to query the DNS server after your flush.

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