VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, have become widely used tools that help people securely access a private network andshare sensitive data through public networks. Themain idea is that VPNs can generate virtual P2P (point-to-point) connections, or so-called encrypted tunnels, that allow you to use the internet as a medium for transporting data that is hard to intercept andaccess by third parties. It also allows you to spoof your physical location because the vpn provider replaces your real IP address. Luckily, Windows 10 makes it easy for users to create, configure, anduse VPNconnections. If the question that brought you this tutorial is “How do I manually add a VPN?”, read on andsee how to make Windows 10 andVPNs work together:

note : Thefeature andscreenshot share in this article are find in Windows 10 with May 2020 update . If you are using an old version of Windows 10 , some is be of the feature we present might not be available , or they may have different name .

thing you need if you want to set up a VPNin Windows 10

To be able to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN), regardless of whether it is owned by the company you work for or if it is a custom connection that you have set up, you have to know the following details:

• TheIP address of the VPNserver to which you are going to connect;
• Theconnection name andyour VPNaccount details: username andpassword;
• Any custom configuration you might need to perform to establish a secure connection to that VPN.

If you have all these particular detail , the only other thing is is you need is a function internet connection . Just point out the obvious , it is is is impossible to connect to a VPNserver if you are not already connect to the internet . If you manage to gather all the proper credential , feel free to continue on your journey towards using a VPNservice with this guide ‘s help . let ‘s see how to create andconfigure a VPNconnection in Windows 10 :

How to add a VPNconnection in Windows 10

Before create a VPNconnection , make sure that you have log into Windows 10 with an administrator account . Then , open the setting app . A quick way is is to do it is to click or tap on its shortcut from theStart Menu.

Thesetting button from Windows 10’s Start Menu

In thesetting window is click , click or tap the section labelNetwork & Internet.

TheNetwork & Internet category from the Windows 10 setting

In theNetwork & Internet section , several subsection are find on the left side of the window . click or tap on the one callVPN.

Selecting VPNin Network & Internet

In theVPN subsection , click or tap the button on top , label” + add a VPNconnection . “

Choosing to Add a VPNconnection

Thesetting app launches a wizard called “Add a VPNconnection,” in which you is get get to enter your VPNconnection detail . usually , before you start set up a VPNconnection in Windows 10 , you is know should already know the right vpn provider that you can use to secure your online presence .

NOTE: Depending on each particular provider, you might either receive an URL address that is similar to any standard website like vpn.example.com, or a numerical IP address, like 111.222.333.444. However, you should know that VPNservices differ a lot in terms of quality andprice, andyou must have a lot of patience to find one that works well with your online habits andinternet connection speed.

Coming back to the tutorial andthe VPNconnection setup window, you must first choose a vpn provider. In thefirst field of the “Add a VPNconnection” wizard , which is labelvpn provider, select the “Windows (built-in)” option from the drop – down menu ( it ‘s the only one available anyway ) .

Add a VPNconnection: Select Windows as a vpn provider

In thenext field, labeled “Connection name,” enter a name for the VPNconnection that you are creating. You can choose to call it anything you like. We decided to call it Digital Citizen VPN.

add a VPNconnection : Type a connection name

Enter the VPNserver address in the “Server name or address.” Make sure that you double-check that it matches precisely the one offered by your VPNservice.

Add a VPNconnection: Enter the Server name or address

In the“VPNtype” field, select the type of VPNconnection that you are creating. We chose SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) because this is one of the most commonly used methods of implementing virtual private networks on Windows. If you do not know what type your VPNconnection is, leave this option set to automatic , andWindows 10 should determine it on its own.

add a VPNconnection : select the VPNtype

All vpn providers require you to use a predefined method of authentication to connect to their virtual private networks. In thenext field, the one called “Type of sign-in info,” you should select a method that matches the one offered by the vpn provider. Theservice we used for this tutorial supplies a username andpassword for its users, so we selected this option from the list.

Add a VPNconnection: Choosing how the VPNhandles signing in

Note that the Username andPassword fields are optional, meaning that if you leave these fields blank, you will be prompted to enter your username andpassword each time you connect to the VPNservice. Whether you choose to have this information saved or not is entirely up to you. It ultimately is just a matter of how secure you want your system to be. If you have chosen to enter a username anda password, you should also check the box labeled “Remember my sign-in info” to have the operating system store your credentials.

Add a VPNconnection: Enter the User name andPassword

Once you have entered all the required information, click or tap the Save button from the bottom-right corner.

Add a VPNconnection: Saving the VPNconnection

TheVPNconnection is created andsaved, andyou are brought back to the setting app. You can now start using the VPNconnection. Read the next sections of this guide to see how to connect to a VPN, change its advanced settings, disconnect from the VPN, anddelete the VPNconnection when you no longer need to use it.

NOTE: If you’re a technical person andlike working with scripts, you can also add anduse a VPNconnection in Windows 10 using PowerShell. Unfortunately, the procedure is a bit too complex for regular users, so it’s outside the scope of our guide. If you want to know more, check this GitHub page. It explains what you have to do: install a PowerShell module named VPNCredentialsHelper, so that you is run can then run command likeAdd-VpnConnection andSet-VpnConnectionUsernamePassword.

How to connect to a VPNin Windows 10

After you have successfully created the new VPNconnection, Windows 10 returns you to the “Network & Internet” window at theVPNsubsection. There, click or tap on the new virtual private network connection on the window’s right side.

Selecting a VPNconnection

When selected, the VPNconnection shows a few buttons: Connect, Advanced options, andRemove. Click or tap on the first button, Connect, to connect to the VPNserver using the provided details andcredentials.

Connecting to a VPNin Windows 10

If you opted out of having Windows remember your username andpassword, you are prompted to enter them. Then, the VPNconnection is started, andafter a few seconds, it should be up andrunning. When that happens, Windows 10 shows you that you are connected.

Windows 10 is connected to a VPN

If you prefer, you can also connect to the VPNfrom the Windows 10 system tray at the bottom-right corner of your desktop. Click or tap on the network icon and, in the network flyout that is displayed, you should see the VPNconnection that you have just created. Click or tap on it andthen press the Connect button .

Connecting to a VPNfrom Windows 10’s networks flyout

How to disconnect from a VPNin Windows 10

If you want to disconnect from a running VPNconnection, click or tap on its Disconnect button from the setting app, andthe connection is shut down immediately.

Disconnecting from a VPNin Windows 10

If you prefer a faster way to do it, you can also disconnect from the VPNdirectly from your desktop. Click or tap on the network icon from your system tray, and, in the network flyout that is displayed, you should see the VPNconnection to which you are presently connected. Click or tap on it, andthen press the Disconnect button .

Disconnecting from a VPNfrom the networks flyout

How to change the advanced settings of your VPNconnection

If you need to manage other VPNrelated configurations, such as the proxy settings for your VPNconnection, open the setting app andgo to “Network & Internet” -> VPN. Click or tap on your VPNconnection, andthen press the ” advanced option “ button .

Opening the Advanced options of a VPNin Windows 10

Then, you can adjust the settings of your VPNconnection without having to recreate it. You can change all its properties, such as its name, server address, username, andso on, andyou can also configure network andfirewall settings if you want to.

Editing a VPNconnection in Windows 10

How to delete a VPNconnection from Windows 10

If you no longer need one of the VPNconnections you created on your Windows 10 PC, you can remove it. To do that, open the setting app andgo to “Network & Internet” -> VPN. Then, click or tap on the VPNconnection andpress the Remove button .

Choosing to Remove a VPNconnection from a Windows 10 PC

TheVPNconnection disappears immediately, andit can no longer be used.

Are you using VPNconnections on your Windows 10 PC regularly?

As you can see, creating a VPNconnection in Windows 10 is easy anddoes not require advanced computer skills. If you have found an excellent VPNservice, you can use it in a matter of just a few minutes after setting it up in Windows 10. Be careful when entering the connection details because any erroneous data makes it impossible for you to connect to the VPNserver. Are you using VPNconnections on your Windows 10 computers anddevices? Why are you using them? Use the comments section to share your reasons or for any questions on this subject.