How to Install VPN on Windows 10 Manually

Nowadays, more and more web users are resorting to VPN services for accessing and using the World Wide Web. This is surely not without compelling reasons. Using a VPN entitles you to so many advantages. You can bypass restrictions on accessing specific types of web content, stay anonymous when you are online and exchange information with a cover of encryption. However, setting up a VPN is not as tedious as you may have thought so far. If you use a PC with the latest operating systems, it becomes even easier. Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest OS has excellent support for VPN. If you have a Windows 10 PC, setting up VPN on it will be pretty simple. Most VPN service providers offer their users applications that can make the whole process pretty straightforward. Still, there are some who prefer to install VPN on Windows 10 manually. If you’re on of those people, this guide is for you!

Guide to Install VPN in Windows 10

Before you proceed with setting up VPN on a PC running Windows 10, make sure you possess the right credentials. Below listed are the steps required for VPN setup in Windows 10:

1. At first, log in the PC with an administrator account.
2. As the PC boots and the process completes, click on the Start button, located at the screen’s bottom-left corner. Now, you can choose either Settings or Control Panel section. For Windows 10 tablets, choosing settings is best suited.
3. Click on Settings next and choose Network and the Internet. A screen will appear.
4. Now you need to click on VPN in the window left pane.
5. Then choose, Add a VPN connection.

You will require the below-listed information to setup VPN on a Windows 10 PC:

• Under VPN Provider, opt for Windows Default.
• Under Connection Name, you have to name the VPN connection. If there is more than one VPN service, you will use, name them properly for the sake of convenience.
• Use IP address given by the VPN service entity under server name/address.
• Under VPN type, you may press the button for PPTP as protocol, but it is not deemed the safest nowadays. You might opt for OpenVPN or L2TP instead. Both are more secure VPN protocols.
• The password and username. This can be set to be remembered by Windows.
• VPN proxy settings (if necessary, but you will not require these mostly).

After this, the OS will store your VPN login information. You can now connect to the VPN server easily. The VPN link created will show you three options after you click on it: Connect, Remove, and Advanced (no, the ability to order a sausage pizza is not one of them!). You can make changes to the properties of VPN connection created by you later.

There is an advanced button as well. Clicking on it takes you to settings which can be tweaked. However, under most situations, you will not need to tinker with these settings, and they are best reserved for hard core computer pros and network administrators. By default, automatic values are selected under VPN Proxy settings.

Connecting to VPN on Windows 10

To connect to the VPN connection setup by you, you need to have a working Internet connection. Keep in mind that a VPN is a tool for masking your PC’s real IP address and it does not let you access the Internet minus an active Internet connection.

As a matter of fact, you need not always use the Settings section in Windows 10 to use the setup VPN service. Once the VPN is set up, you can access it right from the taskbar. The Windows 10 Notifications section contains an icon called Ethernet connection. This will be displayed in the taskbar even if you use a wireless connection for web access.

This is owing to the fact VPNs make a virtual Ethernet card in the working mechanism. As you click on the icon, the list of VPNs configured by you will pop up. Then, you need to Click on the VPN which you want to access and then click on connect. It is quite simple actually. After you are done with work, again click on that Ethernet icon and then click on disconnect.

Best VPN for Windows 10

In case you’re looking for a premium VPN service to set up on your Windows 10 PC, there are plenty of them out there. While we do recommend ExpressVPN, you could also opt for any of the top VPNs we’ve listed below.

How to Install VPN on Windows 10 Manually – Final Thoughts

So, you can see that creating a VPN connection in Windows 10 based PC is not complicated at all. You need administrative privilege to complete setting it up, and you also need log in information provided by the VPN service provider.

Once you ensure these are there, you can proceed and perform the step by step installation. The default settings would be stellar enough for the majority of users, but Windows 10 also has settings for advanced users who love tinkering with software features.