How to set up a VPN on Windows 10 and start browsing anonymously

There are a couple of ways you can set up a VPN on Windows 10. The easiest one is to download the VPN app to your computer, sign in, and connect to a server with a click of a button. Job done!

However, in case your VPN provider doesn’t have a Windows app for some reason or your computer is running Windows 10 in S mode, which means you can only install apps available in the Microsoft Store, you’ll have to set up a VPN manually. No worries — you can get it done in just a few minutes without any technical knowledge whatsoever.

How to set up a VPN on Windows 10

To set up a VPN on Windows 10, click the Start button in the bottom-left corner and select the “Settings” option. Then click “Network & Internet,” followed by “VPN.” The next step is to click the “Add a VPN connection”, after which it’s time to add in all the required info.

Start off by clicking the “VPN provider” drop-down list and then select the only option that’s available — Windows (built-in). In the “Connection name” field, type in a name of choice that you’ll recognize for when you’ll want to connect to the VPN.

Now it’s time to add in a “Server name or address,” which is the info you should find on your VPN provider’s website (here’s an example). If you’re having trouble locating it, just reach out to your provider for help. Once that’s sorted out, select the “Automatic” option under “VPN type” and choose one of the “Type of sign-in info” options. In most cases, this will be the default one — “User name and password.”

The next step is to add your stign-in info to the “User name” and “Password” fields and then click the “Save” button to finish the process. Congratulations, you’ve now successfully set up a VPN on Windows 10 manually.

Step-by-step instructions on how to set up a VPN on Windows 10:

1. Click the Start button and select the “Settings” option.
2. Click “Network & Internet.”
3. Select the “VPN” option and then click “Add a VPN connection.”
4. Select “Windows (built-in)” from the “VPN provider” drop-down list.
5. Type a name of choice in the “Connection name” field.
6. Add in a “Server name or address” — get the info from your VPN provider.
7. Select the “Automatic” option under “VPN type.”
8. Select one of the “Type of sign-in info” options — “User name and password” in most cases.
9. Add in your “User name” and “Password.”
10. Click the “Save” button to finish the process.

To connect to a VPN server you’ve set up, go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, select the VPN connection you want to use, and then click the “Connect” button. Alternatively, you can click the network icon in the taskbar, select a  VPN connection, and click “Connect.”