Windows DNS & ARP

This page contains information and commands about viewing and clearing the DNS and ARP caches on Windows computers, as well as the hosts file.

1. Hosts File
2. DNS Cache (CMD)
   • View DNS Cache (CMD)
   • Clear DNS Cache (CMD)
3. DNS Cache (PowerShell)
   • View DNS Cache (PowerShell)
   • Clear DNS Cache (PowerShell)
4. ARP Table
   • View ARP Cache
   • Clear ARP Cache

Hosts File

When performing a DNS query to lookup the IP for a hostname, the hosts file is first checked to see if an entry exists. If it does, the IP in the host file is used. If not, a query is sent to the configured DNS server.

The hosts file on Windows should be located here:

• C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

DNS Cache (CMD)

View DNS Cache (CMD)

ipconfig /displaydns

Clear DNS Cache (CMD)

ipconfig /flushdns

DNS Cache (PowerShell)

View DNS Cache (PowerShell)

Get-DnsClientCache

Clear DNS Cache (PowerShell)

Clear-DnsClientCache

ARP Table

The below can be used in either CMD or PowerShell

View ARP Cache

arp -a

Clear ARP Cache

For a specific IP:

Clear all ARP entries:

arp –d