How to Install Dnsmasq on Windows 11

Dnsmasq is a lightweight, easy-to-use DNS server and DHCP server. Here's how to install it on Windows 11:

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have the following:

  • A Windows 11 computer.
  • Administrative access to the computer.
  • An active internet connection.

Steps

  1. Download the installer from the dnsmasq website. Choose the latest version under "Current Releases".

  2. Extract the ZIP file to a location of your choice, such as C:\dnsmasq.

  3. Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator.

  4. Change directory to the location where you extracted the ZIP file. For example, if you extracted it to C:\dnsmasq, type the following command and press Enter:

    cd C:\dnsmasq

  5. Install Dnsmasq by running the following command:

    dnsmasq.exe --install

    You should see a message that says "Dnsmasq installed as a Windows service".

  6. Configure Dnsmasq by creating a configuration file. You can use the default configuration file provided by Dnsmasq or create your own. To create the default configuration file, run the following command:

    dnsmasq.exe --conf-file=dnsmasq.conf

    This will create a configuration file named dnsmasq.conf in the same directory as the dnsmasq.exe file.

  7. Start the Dnsmasq service by running the following command:

    net start dnsmasq

    You should see a message that says "The Dnsmasq service is starting".

  8. Verify that Dnsmasq is running by opening a web browser and navigating to a website, such as google.com. If everything is working correctly, you should be able to access the website.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured Dnsmasq on Windows 11.