Home Guide How to Setup a VPN on Windows 10: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Setup a VPN on Windows 10: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It’s a connection method that adds privacy and security to public and private networks like the Internet, hotspots, and WiFi. Companies mostly use VPNs to protect sensitive data.

More and more internet users are becoming interested in VPNs, especially when business and everyday life have transitioned to the internet. You can significantly increase your security and privacy with a VPN because it replaces your IP address with a virtual address provided by your VPN provider.

A good VPN:

Let’s delve deeper into how to set up a VPN on Windows 10.

How to Manually Add and Connect to a VPN on Windows 10

Most premier providers of VPN services have an intuitive Windows 10 application that allows every user to set up a connection quickly. In case you’re using a VPN service without a provider, here’s how to manually configure your VPN.

You’ll need a VPN service, as you need the required information to connect.

Read also: How to set up a VPN on Mac.

TIP: Whatever you do, avoid the PPTP protocol at all times. Instead, try to find the most secure protocol available.

  1. Jump into settings and right-click the Start button to find Settings.
  2. Click Network & Internet and then VPN.
  3. Find the Add a VPN connection option to access the provider drop-down menu.
  4. Click Windows (built-in) and then the Connection name. 
  5. Enter a name for your VPN connection and go to the Server name or address.
  6. Type the address and move to the VPN type drop-down menu. 
  7. Select a connection protocol and get to the Type of sign-in info drop-down menu.
  8. Go to a sign-in method and then click Save.
  9. You should now see your VPN in the VPN list. Click on it and click Connect. You’ll probably have to enter your username and password, although this depends on your provider.

If you don’t want to use your VPN anymore, you can easily disconnect it as you’ve connected it. You can also remove it altogether. All you need to do to remove it is click Remove after you’ve clicked Disconnect.

If you’re wondering what the best VPN pick for you is, our warmest recommendations would be:

expressvpn servers screen

You can also read a detailed overview of the best VPN for Windows here. 

How to Set Up a Paid VPN Service on Windows 10

  1. Go to the NordVPN download page and click on Download.
  2. Double-click NordVPNSetup.exe to install NordVPN on your computer.
  3. Click Install and wait for the NordVPN application to appear on your desktop.
  4. Click on it and wait for the credentials window to appear.
  5. Click Sign In to get to the main screen. 
  6. You will see the server list. Navigate through app settings and servers to get to the server search option. You’ll see the Quick Connect option at the bottom.
  7. Click on it to automatically connect to the recommended server. You can also choose a specific country and connect to its server. 
  8. Once you’ve established a connection, it should say that you are protected.
  9. Go to the system tray icon to access basic controls for your VPN.

How to set up a free VPN in Windows 10 using OpenVPN 

>Download the OpenVPN GUI application< and install it on your computer.

Once the installation is completed >find the icon<on your desktop and open the app.

You’ll need the NordVPN server configuration files to >connect OpenVPN to NordVPN servers<

You’ll see the list of servers that offer the most excellent experience. Each suggested server has the >Show available protocols option< under them. Click on the option to download the configuration.

>Choose OpenVPN TCP and OpenVPN UDP configurations < to download. 

Once you’ve downloaded these two configurations, go to the destination folder and copy both files.

>Extract the configuration files to the following directory: C:/Program Files/OpenVPN/config/< and when you’re finished, >find the parent OpenVPN folder in the address<. 

Double-click on the configuration folder and >paste the configuration files< then >click Continue to load the configuration files<. 

>Double-click the OpenVPN GUI icon on your desktop and click Allow<. This will allow the application administrative permissions.

Find the app in the system tray area and right-click on the icon. You’ll find the connect option by hovering over one of the servers. 

>Enter your credentials to approve the connection<.

When the icon turns green, that indicates that you’re connected.

VPN Security

Both internet users and corporations use VPNs for only one reason — to add more security and privacy to their valuable data. Businesses use VPNs to protect their data, while individuals use VPNs to protect their privacy and security. 

They also use it to prevent tracking and hack attacks. Each time you use WiFi, you’re risking a hack attack. You have a firewall and an antivirus program on your computer to protect your data. Well, a good VPN does the same on the web. 

It protects your privacy and security using secure tunneling techniques and advanced encryption protocols to hide and protect your online data transfers. Since most people are either online or mobile today, there’s an increasing need for additional security online. 

This ever-increasing reliance on the internet and evolving cyber threats call for extreme measures. A good VPN will keep you safe and protected and allow you to unblock the geo-targeted content while ensuring no data is lost.

Related articles:

Comments

Write comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *