How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10
Add some privacy to Windows 10 by manually configuring a VPN connection.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The beauty of the best VPN services is that they have an intuitive Windows 10 app that makes setting up a connection as easy as clicking a big green button that says “connect.” However, if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode and can’t install apps from outside the Store, or you’re using a VPN without a client, you can still configure a VPN manually. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to manually add and connect to a VPN on Windows 10
Note:If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11, our guide onhow to manually configure a VPN on Windows 11will help you through the process.
Once you subscribe to a VPN service — keep in mind there are plenty of great VPN options out there — you should have access to a list of servers that you can connect to. It will differ depending on the VPN service you’re using, but you should have access to a webpage or desktop app section that lists the server’s location, the address needed to create a manual connection, and the current load of the server.
Your VPN provider should also provide manual sign-in information that can be used as credentials. This might be some sort of username and password or certificate depending on the service, and it will vary from provider to provider.
Once you have the required information to make a connection, you can jump into settings and get everything running.
How to disconnect and remove a VPN on Windows 10
If you don’t want to use a VPN anymore, or if you just want to remove a server from the list, you can disconnect or altogether remove it. There is a VPN button for quick on and off located in the Windows 10 action center (the small speech bubble in the bottom-right corner of your display), but we’ll go through the entire process, which includes completely removing a VPN from your system.
That’s it! The VPN you configured should now be removed. You can always add a server again using the first set of instructions.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Note that even if you manually configure a VPN on Windows 10 you will still be able to use a separate client without issue. You can always remove the manual connection, but it’s not entirely necessary.
Our top VPN and software picks
To complete the steps laid out above, you’ll need to invest in a quality VPN and you’ll need Windows 10. We are partial to ExpressVPN thanks to a great price, tons of features, and proven security, but there are plenty more options in our collection of thebest VPN services.
ExpressVPN
With rock-solid encryption and plenty of connection protocols for you to use, including OpenVPN, this is one of the best services operating today.
Buy from:ExpressVPN
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 is no longer the latest OS from Microsoft, but it’s still extremely common as Windows 11 rolls out. Upgrade for free to the new OS or keep on using Windows 10 as you’d like.
Buy from:Walmart|Amazon|Best Buy
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1.Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2.Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.
