How can I configure how long the DNS cache stores positive and negative responses?

John Savill

October 23, 2002

1 Min Read
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A. By default, Windows stores positive responses in the DNS cache for 86,400 seconds (i.e., 1 day) and stores negative responses for 300 seconds (5 minutes). To modify these values, perform the following steps:

  1. Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).

  2. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesDnscacheParameters registry subkey.

  3. From the Edit menu, select New, DWORD Value.

  4. Enter the name MaxCacheEntryTtlLimit to change the positive cache period or the name NegativeCacheTime to change the negative cache period, then press Enter.

  5. Double-click the new value, set it to the desired number of seconds (e.g., if you entered the name NegativeCacheTime, you could set the value to 0 to stop Windows from caching any negative responses), then click OK.

  6. Repeat step 5 for the other value, if required.

  7. Close the registry editor.

  8. Reboot the computer for the changes to take effect.

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