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Windows contains a client-side Domain Name System (DNS) cache with stores recent domain lookup entries. If you are experiencing caching or lookup problems you can disable or change the cache timeout.

Open your registry and find the key below.

To change the DNS cache timeout for positive responses (where a lookup was successful).

Windows 2000 - Create or modify the DWORD value called "MaxCacheEntryTtlLimit".

Windows XP and .NET Server 2003 - Create or modify the DWORD value called "MaxCacheTtl".

Set the value to equal the required timeout in seconds the default is 86400 (1 day).

To change the DNS cache timeout for negative responses (where a lookup failed).

Windows 2000 - Create or modify the DWORD value called "NegativeCacheTime".

Windows XP and .NET Server 2003 - Create or modify the DWORD value called "MaxNegativeCacheTtl".

Set the value to equal the required timeout in seconds the default is 300 (5 minutes).

Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

		(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
		MaxCacheEntryTtlLimit	REG_DWORD	0x00000001 (1)
		NegativeCacheTime	REG_DWORD	0x00000000 (0)

	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.