Windows OS
- SafeDNS Agent for Windows Setup (old)
- SafeDNS Agent for Windows Setup
- Windows Filtering Setup via OpenVPN
- Windows 11 DNS Setup
- Windows 10 DNS Setup
- Windows 7 DNS Setup
SafeDNS Agent for Windows Setup (old)
Video tutorial #1: SafeDNS Agent Installation
Video tutorial #2: SafeDNS Agent Settings and Features
What is Agent created for
The Agent software is designed to automatically launch and manage the SafeDNS web filtering service on Windows-based computers. The Agent should be installed on the PC when you have a private (local) or a dynamic public address, or you want to have a separate web filtering policy for each Windows-based computer within your network.
Attention! If you want to configure the SafeDNS web filtering service for the entire network, you can find information about the available settings in the Instructions section of our website.
Agent Installation
- Log into your SafeDNS account using your email/login and password.
If you have already downloaded the Agent, skip to Step 3. - Navigate to the Main page of the Dashboard and click on the Windows 8.1 and earlier link in the Getting started menu.
Make sure your current Windows user account has Administrator rights. Run the SafeDNS-Agent-Setup.exe file and install the Agent on your computer following the program prompts.
If you see a Windows SmartScreen alert, click More options > Run anyway to start the installation.
After the successful installation, the Agent will be launched automatically.
Agent Unattended Installation
You can install the Agent in an unattended automatic way. This allows you to automatically install and launch the service, manage the filtering policies and collect web traffic statistics on several individual computers within your network. Learn how to install the Agent in unattended mode.
Getting Started with Agent
Log in to the Agent using your SafeDNS email/login and password.
If you forgot your password, click "Forgot my password".
After successful login, the Home page of the program will be shown.
This page contains:
- Current status of the filtering service in the center.
- Active filtering policy at the top.
- On/Off filtering slider button at the bottom.
You can temporarily shut down the filtering by clicking on the slider button at the bottom of the window. You will be asked for a password if the settings are password protected.
Content Filtering Settings
To set up your filtering rules go to the Content filtering settings section.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
In some cases, you will need to clear the cache of your browser.
If you have more than one filtering policy, you can select the needed one at the top of the window (paid plans only). Click on the Plus button to proceed to the Policy section where you can create a new policy.
In the Categories tab, you can see a full list of content categories of your current filtering policy. In this tab, you can block or allow any of them. The red cross indicates blocked categories and the green checkmark indicates allowed categories. You can also block or allow an entire group of categories by clicking on the group name. The gray cross near a group name means that some categories are blocked and some of them are allowed.
In the Exceptions tab, you can create Allow/Denylists for individual websites (domains). Domains in Denylist will always be blocked even if the category of these domains is allowed. Domains in Allowlist will always be accessible even if the category of these domains is blocked.
To block a group of subdomains, add the main domain (e.g. google.com) to the Denylist and all subdomains on this domain will be blocked (drive.google.com, translate.google.com, photos.google.com, etc).
You can also create Named Allow/Denylists and apply them to one or several different policies (this option is available in Dashboard only). Learn more about how to create named lists.
For the correct performance of your Internet Service Provider’s local resources such as media archives, online TV services, or your company’s local resources such as file share servers, printers, etc., add a local domain and IP address of this domain in the Aliases tab.
You can manage additional settings such as Force Safe Search, Force Restricted Mode for YouTube, and Use the Allowlist only in the Additional settings tab.
All domains which are not added to the Allowlist will be blocked when Use the Allow List only option is active.
Creating Additional Filtering Policies
The Default filtering policy cannot be deleted.
You can also create additional policies (paid plans only) and use them to apply different filtering policies for:
- a different user accounts on the same PC,
- different PCs with the SafeDNS Agent installed.
To create a new filtering policy follow these steps:
1. Go to the Policy Section on the Settings page.
2. Type the name of the new policy in the Create policy field. After that, click the Plus button on the right to create a policy.
Now you can change settings for a new filtering policy in Settings > Content filtering. You can use the Cogwheel icon near the policy’s name, to open the Content filtering settings of this policy.
To delete a policy, press the Cross icon near the policy’s name.
You can set up one of your policies as active in the Active policies dropdown menu.
Binding Local Users to the Filtering Policies
If you have several filtering policies, you can bind local users on your PC to these policies. The selected policy will be applied to the selected Windows user after they log into the system.
To bind a user to a filtering policy, go to the Local user tab in the Policy section. Check the Bind local users to the policies box to activate binding.
Choose the necessary Windows user in the User dropdown menu. Then select the preferred policy from the Policy dropdown menu and press the Plus icon.
To unbind a Windows user from a policy, press the Cross icon near the user’s name.
To turn off local users’ binding, uncheck the Bind, local users, to the policies box.
Filtering Schedule
Additional policies can be used for a filtering Schedule. It allows you to apply different settings or limit web access at certain time periods in a single day. Schedule configuration is available in the Dashboard on the SafeDNS website only. Learn how to set up a filtering schedule.
Password Protection
Actions such as changing settings, Agent uninstall, filtering suspension, and policy changing, are by default protected by your password.
Password protection can be deactivated in Settings > Common settings. To turn off password protection, uncheck Protect settings with the password box. We recommend it only if you're the sole user of your computer. You can also manage additional settings, such as show agent icon in the system tray, and Automatically check for updates.
Agent's Tray Icon Options
You can use Agent’s tray icon to stop filtering or change the active policy.
Right-click on it and choose the necessary action.
You can temporarily switch the filtering off for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and until start or reboot.
You can also change the active filtering policy from the tray icon.
If your settings are password-protected, you will be asked to enter the password.
To hide Agent's icon in the system tray uncheck the Show Agent icon in the system tray box in Settings > Common settings.
If You Have Issues
If you have issues with the SafeDNS service or the Agent, feel free to contact our technical support. You can find our contacts on the Help page in the Agent. The Get support button will redirect you to the support form on the SafeDNS website. The Check for updates button allows you to automatically download the most recent version of the SafeDNS Agent.
If SafeDNS Support asks you to send a system report, you can get it in the Agent. To get the report click the System information button on the Help page. This operation can take a few minutes. After that, copy the report and send it to the Support team via the feedback form.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
Stats and filtering status update every 10 minutes.
SafeDNS Agent for Windows Setup
The Agent is available on the following billing plans: Safe Family, Pro, Pro Plus, and archived Safe@Home, Safe@Office.
What is Agent created for
The Agent software is designed to automatically launch and manage the SafeDNS web filtering service on Windows-based computers. The Agent should be installed on the PC when you have a private (local) or a dynamic public address, or you want to have a separate web filtering policy for each Windows-based computer within your network.
Attention! If you want to configure the SafeDNS web filtering service for the entire network, you can find information about the available settings in the Instructions section of our website.
Agent Installation
- Log into your SafeDNS account using your email/login and password.
If you have already downloaded the Agent, make sure you are using the latest version and go to "Getting Started with Agent". - Navigate to Main, scroll down, and click the "beta release" button under "Windows".
Make sure your current Windows user account has Administrator rights. Run the SafeDNS-Agent-Setup.exe file and install the Agent on your computer.
You will see the warning about SafeDNS Certificate installation, please click Next.
Agent Unattended Installation
You can install the Agent in an unattended automatic way. This allows you to automatically install and launch the service, manage the filtering policies, and collect web traffic statistics on several individual computers within your network. Learn how to install the Agent in unattended mode.
Getting Started with Agent
1. Log in to the Agent using your SafeDNS email/login and password.
If you forgot your password, click this link to reset your password: https://www.safedns.com/auth/forgot
2. Set up the security PIN that will be used later to restrict access to the Agent.
The PIN code must be between 4 and 20 characters in length and may consist of digits, letters, or special symbols.
3. Enter the PIN once again to sign in to the Agent.
Agent overview
1. In the main window of the Agent you can view your account information, current IP address, your Billing Plan, and the Subscription expiration date.
All filtering rules changes can be made in the SafeDNS Dashboard.
Filtering can be stopped in Agent using the "Filtering enabled" button at the right top corner of the app.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
In some cases, you will need to clear the cache of your browser.
2. The system information menu shows brief information about the Agent, current filtering policies, and network interfaces. The information in this menu can be copied to the clipboard by clicking the "Copy to clipboard" button.
Additional settings
To ensure the Agent was installed correctly, please navigate to the "Settings" tab in the SafeDNS Dashboard and scroll to the bottom.
If you see the record with the Device name and your IP address, it means that the filtering is working.
After that, you can adjust the filtering Policy according to your needs. You can select categories to block in the SafeDNS Dashboard under the Categories tab.
Don't forget to click the "Save changes" button.
The setup is finished!
A blocked website will display an error message that the Access is closed.
If the filtering doesn't work according to your policy settings, clear the cache of your browser using this guide.
Please note, that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply
Stats and filtering status update hourly
Uninstallation
To uninstall the Agent please quit it first.
Then click Start, type Control Panel, and open it.
Select Category in View by dropdown menu.
All settings in the Control Panel will be divided into categories. Click Uninstall a program.
Find SafeDNS Agent in the list of all programs, click it once, and click Uninstall
Click Yes in appeared window of deletion confirmation
If the User Account Control window appears and asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?', then click Yes 
Click OK and the SafeDNS agent will be successfully uninstalled. 
Windows Filtering Setup via OpenVPN
Please note, that this filtering option works via the third-party app OpenVPN. If you encounter any issues, please contact our Technical Support.
1. Open the SafeDNS Dashboard and navigate to Settings > Devices.
2. Scroll down to the VPN section, enter any name for a new VPN connection, and click Add.
Choose a filtering policy before adding a VPN connection, if needed.
3. Upon creating the connection, two icons will appear in the "Certificate" column. One is for downloading the Certificate, and the other is for sending it by email. Press the "Cloud download" icon.
Multiple devices can use the same filtering policy, but each device should use its own VPN certificate.
You can also change the filtering policy of the created VPN connection by clicking on the pencil icon to the right. Please note, that you don't need to redownload your VPN certificate on your mobile device if you change its filtering policy.
4. Download OpenVPN Connect.
5. Install OpenVPN Connect from the downloaded file.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process.
7. Open the installed application and click Agree in the Privacy Policy pop-up.
8. Select the Upload File menu and import the downloaded .ovpn certificate file.
The Certificate has the following name format: safedns-123456.ovpn
9. Click on the Connect button.
10. Wait until the VPN connection is established.
Your Windows device is now filtered with the SafeDNS filtering policy.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
Stats and filtering status update every 10 minutes.
Windows 11 DNS Setup
Step-by-step guide
1. Navigate to the SafeDNS Dashboard > Settings and copy your IP address in the "Enter an IP-address or DynDNS" box. Click "Add".
2. From the Taskbar pane, right-click on the Wi-Fi (or LAN) icon and select Open Network and Sharing Center:
3. Select Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click on the current internet connection, and select Properties. If the system shows the security notification, click Yes.
5. We recommend disabling Internet Protocol Version 6. This will simplify the installation process and will have no effect on the quality of your internet connection. After that, select Internet Protocol Version 4, and click on Properties.
6. Select the option Use the following DNS server addresses, enter the following SafeDNS addresses:
Preferred DNS server: 195.46.39.39
Alternate DNS server: 195.46.39.40
7. Click the OK button to save your settings, and Close the network properties window.
You have successfully configured the SafeDNS for Windows 10.
Troubleshooting
Please note that Windows may still be using the addresses saved in the local DNS cache. It is recommended to clean it using the following steps:
1. Press "Start"
2. Search for "cmd" and open the suggested application
3. Enter and run the following command in the opened window ipconfig /flushdns
Learn more about how to clear DNS cache.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
Stats and filtering status update every 10 minutes.
Windows 10 DNS Setup
Video tutorial
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to deploy SafeDNS on a Windows-based PC with static IP without the installation of any software
Step-by-step guide
1. Navigate to the SafeDNS Dashboard > Settings and copy your IP address in the "Enter an IP-address or DynDNS" box. Click "Add".
2. From the Taskbar pane, right-click on the Wi-Fi (or LAN) icon and select Open Network and Sharing Center:
3. Select Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click on the current internet connection, and select Properties. If the system shows the security notification, click Yes.
5. We recommend disabling Internet Protocol Version 6. This will simplify the installation process and will have no effect on the quality of your internet connection. After that, select Internet Protocol Version 4, and click on Properties.
6. Select the option Use the following DNS server addresses, enter the following SafeDNS addresses:
Preferred DNS server: 195.46.39.39
Alternate DNS server: 195.46.39.40
7. Click the OK button to save your settings, and Close the network properties window.
You have successfully configured the SafeDNS for Windows 10.
Troubleshooting
Please note that Windows may still be using the addresses saved in the local DNS cache. It is recommended to clean it using the following steps:
1. Press "Start"
2. Search for "cmd" and open the suggested application
3. Enter and run the following command in the opened window ipconfig /flushdns
Learn more about how to clear DNS cache.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
Stats and filtering status update every 10 minutes.
Windows 7 DNS Setup
Step-by-step guide
2. From the Taskbar pane, right-click on the Wi-Fi (or LAN) icon and select Open Network and Sharing Center:
3. Select Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click on the current internet connection, and select Properties. If the system shows the security notification, click Yes.
5. We recommend disabling Internet Protocol Version 6. This will simplify the installation process and will have no effect on the quality of your internet connection. After that, select Internet Protocol Version 4, and click on Properties.
6. Select the option Use the following DNS server addresses, enter the following SafeDNS addresses:
Preferred DNS server: 195.46.39.39
Alternate DNS server: 195.46.39.40
7. Click the OK button to save your settings, and Close the network properties window.
You have successfully configured the SafeDNS service for Windows 7.
Troubleshooting
Please note that Windows may still be using the addresses saved in the local DNS cache. It is recommended to clean the cache by following these steps:
1. Press "Start"
2. Search for "cmd" and open the suggested application
3. Enter and run the following command in the opened window ipconfig /flushdns
Learn more about how to clear DNS cache.
Please note that settings take 5-7 minutes to apply.
Stats and filtering status update every 10 minutes.