How to switch DNS server from BIND to MS DNS on Plesk for Windows?

Question

• How to switch DNS server from BIND to MS DNS on Plesk for Windows?

Answer

Note: Before attempting the switch, please consider that if you have IP address ranges with CIDR notation (192.168.0.0/24 or similar) for domains configured at Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS > DNS > Zone Transfers, you may reach the dnscmd.exe Windows utility's regular MAX_PATH limitation, which will prevent the switch from being executed properly. Due to this, you should make sure that only exact IPs that you need and use are added to Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS > DNS > Zone Transfers before attempting the switch from BIND to MS DNS.

The switch of the used DNS server from BIND to MS DNS on your Windows server will essentially migrate all DNS records that Plesk is aware of (Plesk stores DNS records in the psa database) from BIND to MS DNS automatically. The steps to initiate this change are available below:

1. Log into Plesk

2. Go to Tools & Settings > Updates and install Microsoft DNS Server component if it is not installed.

3. Go to Tools & Settings > Server Components > DNS Server and select Microsoft DNS Server:
   

4. Press Save

   Note: Plesk UI information at Tools & Settings > Server Components might be cached, so in order to see the DNS server change it is required to re-login to Plesk UI.