By default Windows DNS Servers storing File Based Zones look for database at the \Windows\System32\DNS Directory. This folder stores the data for the file-based DNS Zones. You might need to change this location for performance reasons. You need to use a registry heck to do so, as mentioned below:
- KEY Name: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters
- Entry Name: DatabaseDirectory
- Type: REG_SZ
- Value: %SystemRoot%\System32\DNS
The default value of regitsry entry is \Windows\System32\DNS.