How to Configure a VPN in Windows

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that allows you to connect to the Internet securely and privately. It does this by routing your Internet connection through a server owned by the VPN provider. This way, your data traffic is encrypted, and you can surf the web more anonymously. In this guide, we will learn how to configure a VPN on a Windows computer.

Understanding the types of VPNs

Before you start setting up a VPN on your Windows machine, it's important to understand the different types of VPNs available. Here are some of the most common VPNs:

• PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol): One of the oldest VPN protocols. Easy and fast to setup, but less secure than other protocols.
• L2TP/IPsec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with Internet Protocol Security): More secure than PPTP but generally slower. It uses IPsec for its security, which provides a very high level of security.
• SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol): It provides the same level of security as L2TP/IPSec and is specifically designed for the Windows platform.
• OpenVPN: An open-source protocol that is very secure. It can be a little more complicated to set up but many modern Windows VPN clients support it.
• IKEv2/IPsec (Internet Key Exchange version 2): Known for its speed and stability, great for mobile devices switching between networks.

Steps to configure VPN in Windows

Let's take a look at the steps to configure a VPN in Windows. These steps are for Windows 10, but are similar in Windows 11 as well and can be adapted to Windows 7 or 8 with minor changes.

Step 1: Get the necessary information

Before you begin setting up your VPN, you'll need to know the following information, which you'll get from your VPN provider or network administrator:

• VPN server address: This is usually a URL or IP address.
• VPN Protocol: This will be one of the protocols mentioned above.
• Username and Password: Credentials to access the VPN.
• Additional settings: Some VPNs may require you to install specific VPN client software that provides these settings automatically.

Step 2: Open network & internet settings

Now that you have the VPN information at hand, it's time to set it up in Windows:
1. Open the Start menu and click Settings (gear icon).
2. Click on Network & Internet from the Settings window.
3. On the left sidebar, select VPN.

Step 3: Add a VPN connection

In the VPN menu:
1. Click Add VPN connection.
2. A new screen will appear, asking for VPN connection details. You need to fill in the following information:

• VPN Provider: Select “Windows (built-in)” from the dropdown list.
• Connection name: This is the name you choose to identify the VPN connection. You can name it based on location or provider, for example, “US VPN (provider)”.
• Server name or address: Enter the server address you received from your VPN provider.
• VPN type: Choose the VPN protocol provided by your VPN service. If you're unsure, PPTP works for basic setup. However, a more secure option such as L2TP/IPsec or IKEv2 is recommended.
• Type of sign-in information: Usually, this is a username and password, but it may vary (check with your provider).
• Enter your username and password in the appropriate fields, if required.

Step 4: Connect to the VPN

Once you've saved your settings, you can connect to your VPN:
1. In the VPN section of the Network & Internet settings, you will now see the VPN connection you created.
2. Click VPN, and then click Connect.
3. Depending on your configuration you may need to re-enter your username and password.
4. After a few moments you will be connected to the VPN.

Step 5: Verify your connection

It's a good idea to verify that your connection is working correctly. There are a few ways you can check that you're connected securely and that your VPN is working properly:

• Check your IP address via a web service like “What is my IP” before and after connecting to the VPN. They should be different.
• Visit a site with geo-blocked content, which should be accessible from the region you connected your VPN to.
• To confirm that your DNS is routed through the VPN, perform a DNS leak test online.

Other configuration options

Windows also offers several options to improve your VPN connection:

Automatic reconnect

To set your VPN to automatically reconnect if the connection drops:
- Under VPN Settings, select your VPN, click Advanced options, and toggle the Always On VPN option if available.

Split tunnel

Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection:
1. Under those same advanced options, there may be settings to prevent certain apps or services from using the VPN.
2. This is useful when you want some traffic to go through your regular internet connection while sensitive data travels through the VPN.

Custom DNS settings

Some VPN providers allow you to specify custom DNS servers. While most built-in configurations don't require you to change DNS settings, this option is available:
- Under VPN Properties, under the Networking tab, you can click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then select Properties and input any DNS according to your VPN provider's guidelines.

Troubleshooting common problems

Sometimes, you may encounter problems setting up or using your VPN. Here are some common problems and solutions:

• Unable to connect: Double check that you entered the server address, username, and password correctly. Make sure your Internet connection is active.
• Slow connection: Try connecting to another server closer to your location, as traffic load may affect the server speed.
• VPN disconnects regularly: This could be due to an unstable internet connection. Check network stability and consider using Ethernet over Wi-Fi if possible.
• Network conflicts: If your VPN connects but the internet doesn't work, use command prompts such as "ipconfig /release" and "ipconfig /renew" to make sure there are no IP address conflicts. Flush the DNS with the "ipconfig /flushdns" command.

Conclusion

Setting up a VPN on Windows may seem complicated at first, but once you break it down into simple steps, it becomes much more manageable. With a VPN, your internet activities are more secure and private. Remember to keep your software up to date and be cautious about the data going in and out of your VPN, especially when dealing with sensitive information. Always follow the terms of service and privacy policies of your chosen VPN provider.

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