Do this to set up VPN connection on Windows 10

  • To set up a VPN connection on Windows 10, open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, click on “Add a VPN connection” and provide the connection settings. 
  • You can connect to the VPN from Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, select the connection, and click on “Connect.”

On Windows 10, a VPN connection is a standard feature that helps people and businesses quickly and securely access a private network over the internet.

The idea behind a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is to provide a point-to-point encrypted tunnel that uses the internet as the primary highway to connect users to a remote network, offering access to the same resources as if the user were physically present at the remote location.

While average users may find this feature difficult to configure and understand, Windows 10 includes easy-to-configure options in the Settings app to connect to a private network without needing extra software.

In this guide, I will teach you how to set up a VPN connection using the Settings app on Windows 10. You’ll also learn about the advanced options available and how to disconnect and remove a VPN connection from your device. (You can use these instructions to set up a VPN connection on Windows 11.)

Important: If you’re trying to connect to your office remotely, make sure to contact your system administrator to provide the proper connection information, including the domain name or IP address of the network, username and password, and protocol type.

Create a VPN connection on Windows 10

To use the built-in VPN client to connect to a remote private network on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Network & internet.

  3. Click on VPN.

  4. Click the “Add a VPN connection” button.

  5. Select the “Windows (built-in)” option using the “VPN provider” menu.

  6. Type a descriptive name for the connection.

  7. Confirm the remote network’s domain name or IP address under the “Server name or address” section. (If you’re setting up a VPN connection to your home office, you can easily find your external IP address by doing a simple online search for “My IP.” Your address should be listed in the first result.)

  8. Use the Automatic option to allow the system to negotiate the connection protocol automatically under the “VPN type” section. If your company has specific requirements, Windows 10 offers different protocol types, including:

    • Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)

    • L2TP/IPsec with certificate

    • L2TP/IPsec with pre-shared key

    • Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)

    • IKEv2

  9. Use the default User name and password settings under the “type of sign-in info” section.

  10. Type your username and password to avoid re-entering credentials every time you try to connect.

  11. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the setup, the new connection will be listed under the VPN section on the “Network & Internet” page.

Connect to a VPN server on Windows 10

After setting up the new VPN connection, you can use it to access your home or work office to access resources as if you’re at the site.

Connect VPN server

To connect to a virtual private network on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Network & Internet.

  3. Click on VPN.

  4. Select the VPN connection.

  5. Click the Connect button.

Alternatively, you can connect to the VPN server by clicking the network icon in the Taskbar’s notification area, selecting the connection from the network flyout menu, and clicking the “Connect” button. If everything is working correctly, the connection shouldn’t take more than a few seconds. You’ll know your device is connected to the remote network because the connection will read “Connected.”

If the device cannot connect, you will have to inspect the configuration to ensure the settings are correct. Common misconfigurations include mistakes in the account username and password, server name or address, and protocol selection, which should match the requirements of the VPN server. In the case that the problem is the server name, then use the IP address to connect instead. 

You should also consider that server load and congestion can negatively impact speed and stability. 

If the computer uses the default security features available on Windows 10, the connection works without additional configuration. However, if you use third-party security software, such as another antivirus or firewall, ensure those applications properly allow the VPN connection.

Disconnect VPN session

To disconnect from a virtual private network on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Network & Internet.

  3. Click on VPN.

  4. Select the connection and click the Disconnect button.

Alternatively, you can also click the network icon in the taskbar’s notification area, select the connection, and click the “Disconnect” button.

Remove VPN connection

To remove a VPN connection on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Network & Internet.

  3. Click on VPN.

  4. Select the connection and click the Remove button.

  5. Click the Remove button again.

After you complete the steps, the connection will be removed from your computer.

Change VPN advanced options on Windows 10

If you encounter a problem connecting or if the requirements to connect to a remote network change in the future, you will have to re-configure the connection settings.

To change the advanced settings of a VPN connection on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Network & Internet.

  3. Click on VPN.

  4. Select the connection and click the Advanced options button.

  5. Check the current settings under the “Connection properties” section. If something has changed or you need to modify these settings, click the Edit button. You will also notice the “Clear sign-in info” button if you need to remove the username and password from the current connection.

  6. Configure automatic configurations or manually enter the proxy settings under the “VPN proxy settings” section. (Usually, you don’t need to change any of the settings listed in this section. Only make changes as necessary.)

On the main Windows 10 VPN setup section, you will also find additional settings, such as “Allow VPN connections over Metered networks” and “Allow VPN to connect while Roaming.” You should consider having these options enabled at all times, even more so if you need to access a private network while using a mobile hotspot.

If you want to connect to your home network using a VPN connection, check these steps to configure a VPN server on your Windows 10 PC without needing extra software.

The instructions outlined in this guide aim to connect your computer to your organization’s network or set up a connection to your home VPN server. The steps may be a little different if you want to set up a VPN connection for privacy while browsing online. For example, if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can use the VPN service using the “Microsoft Defender” app, which doesn’t require extra configuration other than installing the app and turning on the feature.

Other VPN providers include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, and they typically provide detailed setup instructions specific to their service, which may be different than the instructions available in this guide.

Update November 6, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.


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