How to setup a VPN in Windows 10

Do you want to know how to setup a VPN in Windows 10, and you’ve been researching information to do it properly? You’re in the right spot!

Have you ever seen a movie where a phone call is traced back to the caller? As a privacy-conscious phone user (who has no nefarious motive), wouldn’t it be a blessing to be untraceable?

In internet terms, this can be done using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Have you ever been blocked from viewing particular YouTube or Netflix videos because they aren’t available in your country? Have you been pestered by weirdly specific ads about things you only spoke to your friend about a few minutes ago?

Does online privacy matter to you? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you need a VPN.

A VPN connects you to a private network that acts as an intermediary between you and the worldwide web. In doing so, it shields your actual identity (your IP address) from all those scavengers who are hungry for identities.

It is as important to hide your IP address as not to display your home address publicly. Once in the wrong hands, the address can be used to nag you at best or threaten you at worst.

A VPN service also finds its application in corporate and financial internet security. This is because a VPN connection shields you from the threats you might encounter on an insecure network (such as a public network).

In addition, VPN support can be crucial in protecting from malware and packet sniffing on an open network. You can find several content articles and books on this topic on the internet.

We’ll teach you how to set up a VPN service on your Windows 10 PC using simple English.

Of course, there are also VPN security solutions for Android and iOS, but those won’t be our focal point for this guide.

How to setup a VPN in Windows 10
1. Preparation
2. Setup
Wrap up

Preparation

Protection on the internet through VPN requires a VPN provider, much like you need an internet service provider for the internet.

In addition, you also need a VPN to connect remotely to university or corporate networks.

In such cases, you are provided with customized applications where you only have to press a start button to connect. You also have commercial options like OpenVPN, but they don’t connect you to a specific VPN but a specific service.

This guide excludes options with third-party VPN software. This guide teaches you how to connect to a VPN by configuring Windows VPN settings.

The way VPN works, it routes your internet traffic through a third-party server. The traffic through this server can mask your identity when you access any site and encrypt the network connection.

You’ll need to know the server name or address before you start. If the server has user authentication, you’ll also need user credentials.

Setup

This step will teach you how to enhance your security by initiating a VPN connection in Windows 10.

It would be best if you started by creating a VPN profile in Windows. To begin creating a VPN profile, type “VPN” in the taskbar search and select the VPN settings displayed by Windows;

In the Windows VPN settings screen, you’ll find several options. First, select “Add a VPN Connection“;

On the subsequent window, you’ll be asked for the properties and access credentials for your VPN service for your device. Then, you’ll start configuring the features by selecting the VPN provider field;

With a new device, you’ll probably only see the option of Windows (built-in) for the VPN provider field. Next is the Connection Name.

This is only so that you can remember the name of this VPN service when you are connecting to it. Enter a memorable name for this VPN connection.

Now you’ll have to enter the name or address of your VPN server. This is the server to which your network will connect and route its traffic.

For example, we’ll enter vpn.freevpn.net (not a real example). After finding it through the VPN provider, you’ll also need to select the VPN type.

For Type of sign-in info, you need to know the access credentials for your VPN service. Your choices are a conventional VPN username/password combo, a smart card, a one-time password, and a digital certificate.

User name/password and one-time password are self-explanatory. A smart card is a physical key card read by a Windows PC, and a digital certificate is a digital key.

You won’t need other credentials if you have a smart card or a certificate (although you might need two-factor authentication).

For this guide, we will consider the conventional user name/password combo. Please enter the User Name and Password in their respective fields. Then, select “Save” to save your VPN configuration settings.

You’ll see your newly saved VPN connection configuration in the list of connections below the Add button.

If you need to modify the network type, settings, or features, select “Advanced Settings” after clicking the VPN name. You can do it at any time within the life of this connection.

To use this connection in the future, you need to return to this screen. You can use it the same way explained earlier in this guide. Another way is to access through the taskbar quick-access menu, assuming you have enabled the VPN tile.

You can also select the network symbol in the taskbar (Wi-Fi or wired) and select your VPN to connect.

In any case, select the VPN name and then select “Connect“. The next step would be to wait or select the VPN certificate, depending on your setup choices.

Once access to the VPN server has been established and the connection is secure, it will say Connected under the VPN name.

Wrap up

At this step, it must be evident that enhancing your privacy isn’t very difficult.

This network feature is available in every version of Windows 10, and these features don’t require any download.

A VPN is a crucial part of your internet security and privacy toolkit. You should choose a service that provides ongoing support, security, and privacy. In addition, most VPN services allow you to pick the country where their VPN server is located.

Location-based VPN service provider is essential for several reasons. First, if your use case requires bypassing geographical restrictions (needed for streaming), access to a particular country server is required.

Other considerations include connection speed and lag alongside live support, security, and privacy.

Even if you don’t need support and security, it’s a good idea to access the internet through a VPN.

Now you know how to properly enhance internet security using a VPN!

Check out some of our other awesome articles:

Table of Contents