How to See and Flush the Contents of the DNS Resolver Cache in Vista and Windows 7

information   Information
When you type a web address into your web browser and press ENTER, you are sending a query to a DNS (Domain Name System) server. If the query is successful, the website you want opens; if not, you'll see an error message. A record of these successful and unsuccessful queries is stored in a temporary storage location on your computer called the DNS cache. DNS always checks the cache before querying any DNS server, and if a record is found that matches the query, DNS uses that record instead of querying the server. This makes queries faster and decreases network and Internet traffic. Internet Explorer has it's own DNS cache it manages, not including this one. For more detailed information, see: Windows Help and How-to: DNS (Domain Name System) FAQs
Note   Note
If the DNS Cache becomes corrupted, it can cause internet connection problems. Flushing the DNS Cache resets it clean.
warning   Warning
If you disabled the DNS Client in Services, this tutorial will not work because the DNS Cache is disabled.





OPTION ONE
How to Flush the DNS Cache
1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
ipconfig /flushdns
3. You will recieve the following message below if successful.
Windows IP Configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
flushdns.jpg
4. Close the elevated command prompt when done.





OPTION TWO
How to See the Contents of the DNS Cache
1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command belowand press Enter. (See screenshot below step 3)
ipconfig /displaydns
3. You will now see the contents of the DNS cache.
displaydns.jpg
4. Close the elevated command prompt when done.
That's it,
Shawn