We've covered virtual individual networks and when y'all might want to use them before. Connecting to a VPN is piece of cake, as Windows and nearly other operating systems offer built-in VPN support.

The Piece of cake Mode: Use a VPN Client

Note that some VPN providers offer their own desktop clients, which ways you won't need the setup process described in this guide. All of our favorite VPNs—StrongVPN for advanced users, and ExpressVPN and TunnelBear for bones users—offer their own desktop awarding for connecting to their VPNs and selecting VPN server locations.

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Windows 10

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Windows 10 supports PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, and IKEv2 connections without any tertiary-party software.

To connect to a VPN on Windows ten, caput to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Click the "Add together a VPN connectedness" button to set upwards a new VPN connection.

Provide the connexion details for your VPN. You lot tin can enter any name yous similar under "Connectedness Proper noun". This proper noun is just used on your computer to assistance you lot identify the VPN connexion.

Your VPN provider should be able to provide you with these details. If the VPN is provided by your employer, your employer's Information technology department should provide you with the details y'all'll need to connect.

Once you've fix up a VPN, you'll run into it in the network popup menu next to whatsoever nearby Wi-Fi networks.

Click the network name in the popup carte and Windows will open the Settings > Network & Net > VPN window for you. Select the VPN and click "Connect" to connect to it. You tin can as well configure or remove VPN connections from hither.

Windows vii and 8

To connect to a VPN on Windows vii, press the Windows cardinal and, type VPN, and press Enter. (Note: If you're using Windows 8, the process will exist very similar, but some of the windows may wait a little different.)

Enter the accost of your VPN provider in the Cyberspace Address box. You lot tin enter an address similar vpn.instance.com or a numerical IP address, depending on the server data your VPN provider gave y'all.

You should as well enter a Destination name—this tin be annihilation you similar. It'southward only used to help you remember which VPN connection is which.

Enter your login credentials on the next screen. Utilise the username and countersign your VPN provider gave you.

Windows will connect you to the VPN you configured. If you checked the "Don't connect now" checkbox on the first screen, Windows will salvage the VPN connection so you tin can easily connect subsequently.

In one case connected, you lot tin can click the network icon in your system tray to view your VPN connections. While continued to a VPN, all your network traffic will be sent over information technology.

To disconnect from a VPN, click it and click "Disconnect". You tin then reconnect to it afterward by clicking it and selecting Connect. Yous can have multiple VPNs configured and switch betwixt them in this way.

To delete a saved VPN connection, printing the Windows key, type "Network Connections", and printing Enter. Correct-click a VPN connection and use the Delete pick.

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