How to Change VPN Server Locations in ExpressVPN on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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In today's interconnected world, using a VPN or Virtual Private Network is a common way to protect privacy and access restricted content. ExpressVPN is one of the popular VPN services known for its reliability and speed. This guide will explain in detail how you can change VPN server location in ExpressVPN on different operating systems, specifically Windows, Mac, and Linux. Whether you are new to using VPN services or an experienced user, changing your server location is an important skill to maximize your VPN experience.

Understanding VPN server locations

The VPN server location is essentially the location of the server you connect to when using a VPN service. By connecting to a server in a specific location, you can benefit from a local IP address, access location-specific content, and often get faster connection speeds due to proximity. Additionally, some websites and services are tailored to specific geographic locations, and using a VPN allows you to 'virtually' be in a different location, bypassing geolocation restrictions.

Step-by-step instructions

If you’re using Windows, you can change the VPN server location as follows:

1. Open ExpressVPN

First, you need to open the ExpressVPN application on your Windows computer. You can do this by double-clicking the ExpressVPN icon on the desktop or by finding it through the Start menu.

2. Access the server list

Once the app opens, look for the “Select Location” button. This is usually found on the main screen of the ExpressVPN interface. Clicking this button will open the server location list.

3. Select a new server location

You will see a list of recommended servers on the following screen based on your current location. ExpressVPN divides servers into three categories: Recommended, All Locations, and Recent.

• Recommended: Servers that the app considers best for your connection based on speed and distance.
• All Locations: A comprehensive list of all available servers spread across different regions and countries.
• Recent: A list of servers you've recently connected to, useful for quick reconnection.

To choose a new location, scroll through the list or use the search bar to find a specific city or country.

4. Connect to the new server

After choosing a server from the list, click on the desired location, and the application will automatically start connecting to the new server. Wait until the connection is established. The main screen of the application will reflect the new server location once the connection is successful.

5. Verify your connection

It is always a good idea to verify whether your connection is active and whether the new location is effectively in use. You can do this by checking your IP address using online tools or websites like “what is my ip”. The result should show the country or city of the VPN server you chose.

Example scenario

Let’s say you’re in the United States and want to access content only available in the United Kingdom. By changing the server location to a UK server, your IP address will simulate a location within the UK, giving you access to UK-specific content.

Step-by-step instructions

If you’re using macOS, follow these steps to change your VPN server location:

1. Launch the ExpressVPN app

Start by opening the ExpressVPN application on your Mac. This can usually be done by clicking on the application in the Dock or by searching for it using Spotlight.

2. Access the location picker

In the application interface, find and click the “Choose Location” button. The list of server locations will be displayed, structured similarly into Recommended, All Locations, and Recent sections.

3. Choose the server you want

To choose a server, you can either navigate through the organized list or use the search functionality to find specific locations. For example, if you need a server in Germany, simply type “Germany” in the search box and choose from the available options.

4. Establish a connection to the new server

Click on your chosen server, and the app will begin the connection process. Once the connection is established, the app's interface will update to show your new location.

5. Confirmation

As with Windows, verification is important. Use a trusted online service to verify your new IP address, making sure the displayed location matches the chosen VPN server.

Example scenario

Imagine you are traveling in Asia but want to access streaming services only available in your country, Canada. Changing your server location to a Canadian server will sync your IP with a Canadian address, unlocking the desired content.

Step-by-step instructions

Changing the VPN server location on a Linux machine may vary slightly depending on your Linux distribution and whether you're using the ExpressVPN command-line interface or GUI tool. Here's a general guide:

1. Open the terminal

In most Linux distributions, you can use a terminal window to manage applications and configuration. You can usually find it in the Applications menu or by using a shortcut like Ctrl + Alt + T.

2. Check the current connection

If you are already connected to a server and want to know which server it is, you can type the following command to verify:

expressvpn status

3. View the available server list

You can use the following to view a list of available server locations:

expressvpn list

This command will provide a comprehensive list of all VPN server locations available through ExpressVPN. The list will include short codes, which you can use to select your server.

4. Connect to the new server

Once you have determined which server you want to connect to, use the following command, replacing server-location with the desired location code:

expressvpn connect server-location

For example, to connect to a server in Japan you could use the following:

expressvpn connect jp-tokyo

5. Verify the new server connection

After the connection command, it is important to make sure you are connected to the new server again by using:

expressvpn status

You can also verify externally using an IP-checking website to see if your IP reflects the new VPN server location.

Example scenario

Let’s say you are in Europe and want to experience online shopping with special deals for Australia. By switching your VPN server to an Australian location, you get an Australian IP, allowing you to access the offers available there.

Changing VPN server locations in ExpressVPN may vary slightly between operating systems, but the process generally involves selecting a server from a list and connecting. Windows, Mac, and Linux each offer accessible ways to switch between server locations, making ExpressVPN a versatile tool for both privacy protection and content access. Verifying the connection ensures the new location is effective and trusted tools or websites will help check your IP alignment with your chosen server location.

This detailed guide aims to carefully explain each step so that, regardless of your technical expertise, you can effectively manage your VPN server connection. With the skills learned here, you are well equipped to efficiently use ExpressVPN on a variety of devices. Enjoy unrestricted, secure, and private browsing with the knowledge of how to precisely customize your VPN connection.

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