How To Add A VPN Connection On Windows 10
5 minutes
These days, setting up a VPN on Windows 10 takes but a few clicks. The best VPN services offer native Windows apps and all you need to do is download the installer and the VPN will be set up on your device automatically.
Once the VPN app is installed, you can simply log in and connect to a server of your choice.
However, if you are using Windows 10 in S mode, you cant download VPN apps from Google Play Store. S Mode in Windows 10 is inclined towards security and only allows you to download apps from Microsoft Store.
So, if you cannot install apps from outside the Microsoft Store, you can still manually configure a VPN.
Configure The L2tp Connection
To prepare a Windows 10 computer to make an L2TP VPN connection, you must configure the L2TP connection in the network settings.
The procedure in this topic is an example only. The steps you must follow might differ because of your Control Panel view and existing configuration. For more information about L2TP VPN connections in Windows, see the Microsoft documentation.
Use A Windows VPN Application From A VPN Provider
VPN providers offer access to Windows VPN clients that automatically configure VPN tunnels with one click. Thus, you are able to easily switch between protocols, servers, and VPN locations.
But, due to security concerns, most VPNs have partially or completely abandoned the PPTP protocol.
We were able to identify two good VPN services that may still help you get a PPTP VPN on Windows 10: PureVPN and HideIPVPN.
To get started, subscribe to the VPN service , install the Windows app, open the settings tab, and select the PPTP protocol.
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How To Allow VPN Connections Through Firewall
While configuring the Incoming Connection feature on Windows 10 should automatically open the necessary Windows Firewall ports, you want to make sure the firewall is properly configured.
To allow VPN connections through the firewall on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Start on Windows 10.
Search for Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and click the top result to open the experience.
Click the Change settings button.
Scroll down and make sure Routing and Remote Access is allowed on Private and Public.
Click the OK button.
After you complete the steps, the Windows 10 VPN server will now be able to receive connections remotely from other computers.
How To Set Up A VPN In Windows

VPN technology lets a computer using a public internet connection join a private network by way of a secure tunnel between that machine and the network. This protects the data from being seen or tampered with by bad actors. The two most common use cases are consumer VPN services that allow individuals to surf privately from home or a public setting, and business-oriented solutions that allow employees to securely connect to a corporate network remotely.
Now that so many people are thrust into working from home due to the coronoavirus pandemic, weve confirmed that this procedure is up-to-date and working as described. You may want to check out our guide on working from home as well, with tech tips and general setup considerations from our extensive personal experience in home offices.
For the most part, VPN connections are handled by custom software such as the many consumer VPN services weve reviewed, or by third-party generic software such as the OpenVPN client or Cisco AnyConnect.
The best overall VPN
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Add A New VPN Connection
To add a new VPN connection, select the internet access icon in your system tray.
If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, the icon will look like this:
If you are using an Ethernet connection, the icon will look like this:
From the menu that pops up, select Network & Internet settings.
In the left sidebar, select VPN> Add a VPN connection.
In the Add a VPN Connection window, enter the following details:
- VPN provider: Select Windows .
- Connection name: Enter a name that will help you recognize your VPN connection. For example: ExpressVPN LA.
All Is Not As It Seems
ByAnyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer| 18 May 2021
With so much of our lives online these days, many people are understandably concerned about protecting their privacy while using the internet. Cybercrime has increased significantly in recent years, and theres technically nothing stopping the government or your internet service provider from snooping on the sites you visit.
The solution for most people? A reliable VPN. This encrypts the connection between your device and a server on the internet, making it undetectable to someone on the outside. It does mean trusting your data with one of the VPN companies, but most have strict no-logs policies. This means they dont collect any information shared while a connection is active, and dont have access to any data that can be used to identify individual users.
Many people also use a VPN to access content thats usually restricted to specific countries, like local versions of Netflix or BBC iPlayer from outside the UK.
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How To Connect To VPN In Windows 10
Once the VPN Network is setup on your computer, you can connect to the VPN Network using Settings or directly from the Taskbar.
1. Click on the Network Icon located at the far right corner of the Taskbar and then click on your VPN Network Name in the menu that appears .
2. On the next screen, you may be requested to enter your VPN User Name and Password in order to login to your secure VPN Network.
Another way of connecting to VPN is by accessing the Settings Menu in Windows 10.
1. Open Settings on your computer and click on Network & Internet tab.
2. On the next screen, click on VPN in the left pane. In the right-pane, click on your VPN Name and then click on the Connect option.
As you can see from the image above, connecting to VPN from the Settings Menu also provides you with access to Advanced Options.
How Do I Setup A Free VPN On Windows 10
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Installing A VPN Client On Windows 11
The above steps are useful when you need to connect to a VPN without its own software client. However, if youre using a premium VPN, like Surfshark, then its best to use the VPN service providers software client.
By using the client, you can avoid the hassle of manually configuring a VPN. Moreover, you can also easily use different protocols and connect to servers located in several different nations. This can be particularly useful when trying to access geo-blocked content.
The software client also comes with great security features, such as a kill switch and MultiHop connections, which lets you route your traffic through two different servers. Weve provided a step-by-step guide on setting up a VPN connection using a software client on Windows 11 below:
What Happens If I Enable VPN
Your internet connection is secure with a VPN connection. All of your data traffic is routed through an encrypted virtual tunnel when you use the VPN. Using this technique, you can disguise the location of your IP address on the internet, so everyones location is invisible. An external attack is also protected by a VPN connection.
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Surfshark Unlimited VPN Connections For Windows 10
- Compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10
- 3200+ servers in 65 countries
- Infinite simultaneous connections
- 75.12 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps connection
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+ and more
- Also works with macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, routers, browsers, and more
Surfshark allows unlimited VPN connections for Windows 10 available for only $2.21/mo . Another great thing is that you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously with a single Surfshark subscription. This way you can use it on your Windows 10 PC, and other devices.
Surfsharks Windows 10 app is sleek and easy to use, with all the latest security features. It is an ideal choice for beginners because you can easily set it up on your Windows 10 PC and get started.
Surfshark offers 3200+ servers in 65 countries. These are optimized for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. It also offers a feature that allows you to connect to the fastest server available.
We tested Surfshark with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+ and it worked perfectly well as we did not encounter the proxy error not even once.
Surfshark offers tons of features that are not available on other VPNs. Some of these notable features include CleanWeb , WhiteLister , and Multi-Hop . It also covers the basics with 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
If you face any issues during configuration, there is also 24/7 customer support available via live chat.
Configure The Router For Incoming VPN

Router Configuration: Enable PPTP and Generic Route Encapsulation on the Router. Depending on the type of router, you need to either enable PPTP or create a port forward to port 1723.
If your router has an additional setting for PPTP or VPN, make sure its enabled. Its usually called a pass-through setting .
Thats All Now your VPN Server Is Ready for Incoming Connections.
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Want To Use A VPN In Windows 10 Here’s The Best Way To Set It Up
Sure, you could just download your VPN’s app to your Windows 10 machine. But there’s a better way.
Setting up a VPN on Windows 10 is easy.
Whether you’re planning to take advantage of Prime Day laptop deals and pick up a new Windows 10 machine, or you’ve been using one for years and are just looking forward to Microsoft’s upcoming big Windows redesign, you may be considering adding a virtual private network to protect your online privacy.
The easiest way to get your favorite VPN up and running on your Windows 10 device is to simply download your VPN’s app from the Microsoft Store and install it, just as you did on your previous device or version of Windows. Using a VPN’s app is also the best way to use that VPN’s bonus features — from ad-blocking to automatically selecting the fastest connections.
But for the tech-curious, another option is to test drive Windows 10’s built-in VPN client. It may sound tricky, but the process takes about 15 to 20 minutes and can be broken down into two main components: Creating a VPN profile, and then connecting to the VPN. Here’s the step-by-step guide for setting up your VPN on Windows 10.
Use The Dedicated App
Most VPN services these days have a dedicated Windows application that you can install on your computer. This is probably the simplest method for setting up a VPN on your Windows 10 device.
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How To Remove A VPN On Windows 10
Looking to get rid of a VPN you added? It’s a simple job. Head back to “VPN” in “Settings”, and click on the VPN you want to get rid of.Switch on “Disconnect” if it’s connected. Then, click on “Remove”, and “Remove” again to confirm. Simple as that.If you’re after a new service to set up, make sure to check the best VPN service out there.
Setting Up A VPN Connection On Windows 10
Do you need to connect to a VPN via your Windows computer? Sometimes you dont have VPN software to help you out and you have to set it up yourself instead. Fortunately, this is quite easy to do. Simply follow these steps:
1. Make sure you have the right login details for your VPN-account. If youre still looking for a VPN provider, you might want to try out CyberGhost:
2. Click the Windows logo and go to Settings. Choose Network & Internet and click VPN.
3. Add the VPN connection by clicking Add a VPN connection. Enter the correct login information and click Save.
4. Select the connection within the VPN Settings screen and connect.
If you run into problems while trying to set up your VPN, or you simply want more information, you can read our full article below.
There are several ways to set up a VPN on your Windows 10 computer. In this article, well discuss how to set up a VPN through your Windows settings. This is useful if you want to use the VPN network provided by your employer, for example.
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How To Set Up A VPN Connection On Windows 10
Once you finish setting up the VPN server on Windows 10, you will need to configure the devices that can remotely access the local network. You can set up any device and phone . Here are the instructions to set up a VPN connection on Windows 10.
After adding a VPN connection on your computer, you have to adjust the settings with these steps:
Open Control Panel.
Select the VPN connection option and click the Connect button.
Windows 10 remote connection using VPN
While there are many solutions to allow users to connect remotely to a private network using a VPN connection, you can set up your own server with the tools built within Windows 10 without the need for extra software.
Also, one of the best benefits of setting up a VPN server on your Windows 10 PC is that its not only secure and reliable, but its a great alternative for users who are still skeptical about cloud services to store their data. Even more, through a virtual private network, you can even access your device using the remote desktop feature on Windows 10.
This guide was originally published in May 2016 and revised in March 2021 for the latest version of Windows 10.
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How To Setup VPN On Windows 10
VPN or Virtual Private Network affords a level of privacy and security that anyone needs to prevent any third party from spying on their online activities. This kind of security and privacy is possible since the VPN server provides the private route from which one can enable access to the public server. This guide will teach you how to setup VPN on Windows 10 easily.
Whether you live in a remote place or not, you must consider using VPN each time to enhance your level of security as you browse online. However, if you are residing anywhere remote, finding the right ISP you can depend on, will help you do all the job without any hassle or stress on your part.
What is good about premier VPN memberships is that they come with a VPN for Windows 10 app that enables to add a VPN connection and configure is as easy as 1-2-3. All you have to do is find that big button that says Connect. This is possible with any Canadian VPN client too.
When you are using VPN sans the client, you may still configure your VPN manually if you know the server name or address, or the network to connect to. You will also need the connection name provided by the network or VPN connection. If you have bought a subscription to any VPN service and you wish to have it set up manually, we have here outlined everything you want to know.
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How To Manually Configure And Install A VPN On Windows 11
Using a VPN adds a layer of security to your Windows 11 experience. While setting up a VPN using a VPN providers software client is easy, there are occasions when youll have to manually set it up.
Luckily, this is a fairly straightforward process. Follow the steps below to easily set up a VPN connection on Windows 11:
If youd rather just use a VPN providers software client to manage your VPN connections, wed recommend picking up a Surfshark subscription. Its blazing fast and has an easy-to-use software client.
Read the rest of the article for more information on the different ways to set up a VPN connection on Windows 11.
Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsofts operating system. Its packed with some great features and visual changes that make it a pleasure to use. However, like previous iterations, its not fully secure. Using a VPN is highly recommended if you want to protect your privacy on Windows 11.