Windows 10 VPN Setup

Windows 10 has the built-in ability to function as VPN server. It supports several VPN protocols “out of the box” - no additional software is needed. Those protocols include PPTP and L2TP/IPSec – two of the most common VPN types. It doesn’t matter if you have no idea what any of that means, just make sure your VPN service supports one of those two.

Setting up a VPN connection with Windows 10 requires you having the proper credentials to access a server. This could be useful for connecting to your home network on the road, playing LAN games with someone, or securing your web browsing on a public Wi-Fi connection. Be sure you have these before you continue.

You will require the following information before setting up a VPN connection on Windows 10:

1. VPN server name or address.
2. VPN protocol (normally it is PPTP but may differ in some cases).
3. Username and password to connect to the VPN server.
4. If a particular connection name has to be used or can you use any connection name for the VPN.
5. If the VPN requires proxy settings to be entered manually; if yes, details of IP and port number for proxy.

Setup a VPN Connection on Windows 10

Once you have all the required information, here is how you can set up a VPN connection in your Windows 10 computer:

1. Log on to your Windows 10 PC with an administrator account.
2. Once on the desktop window, click the Start button from the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. From the left section of the displayed Start menu, under the Places section, click Settings.
4. On the open Settings window, click the Network & Internet icon.
5. From the left pane of the open Network & Internet window, click to select the VPN category.
6. From the right pane, click the + icon representing the Add a VPN connection option.
7. On the Add a VPN connection box, populate the fields with the correct values.
8. Make sure that the Remember my sign-in info checkbox at the bottom is checked, and click Save.
9. Once the new VPN connection is successfully created, back on the Network & Internet window, keeping the VPN category selected from the left pane, click to select the newly created VPN connection from the right.

Configure The Router for Incoming VPN

If you use Router - don’t forget to enable PPTP and Generic Route Encapsulation (GRE) on the Router. Depending on the type of router, you need to either enable PPTP or create a port forward to port 1723. If you’re router has an additional setting for PPTP or VPN, make sure it’s enabled. It’s usually called a “pass-through” setting (i.e. PPTP pass-through or VPN pass-through).

How to Use VPN in Windows 10

Now you’ll see your newly created VPN connection listed in the VPN section. Click it.

Time to test the new connection! Click the Connect button.

If you opted not have to have Windows remember your user and/or pass, you’ll be prompted to enter them. After a few moments, the status will change to Connected.

To quickly monitor your VPN connection status, click on the Networking icon in your Windows System Tray.

At the top of the menu, you’ll see your VPN connection status listed with your Internet connection status. You can also disconnect to your VPN from here, just click on the entry… and you’ll be taken right back to the VPN section. Click the Disconnect button when you don’t want to use your VPN.