How to setup a VPN on Windows 10?

Have you noticed that Windows Firewall and anti-virus tools all block some connections by default? If the server seems to be risky, this happens. This is a precautionary machine that is executed to secure your computer. However, this is not enough, sometimes. Whatever be the site you access, details like your machine’s DNS (domain name server) and IP address are accessible to the site. In contrast, you might be thinking that your PC is secure and your anti-virus is offering reliable protection.

When you use a proxy to visit blocked sites, things get even worse. To make sure that hackers do not easily get a hold of your computer’s IP address and location, you need a reliable arrangement. This arrangement comes in the form of a VPN or virtual private network. This creates a virtual network and assigns a different IP address to your machine so that the site you access doesn’t see your IP and location.

Using VPN on windows 10 with an external app

The procedure here would often be simple

1. Create an account with the VPN you wish to use
2. Download the corresponding VPN app version for your computer and install it
3. Sometimes there is a browser extension alone if you need VPN for browsing
4. Run the corresponding app and turn the VPN on and enjoy your secure connection

Even when you are using the best of VPN services, you should know whether your VPN is working. Make a timely check to understanding whether your VPN is leaking any information like IP or location.

The actual steps for installation and the method to turn on the VPN depends on the tool you pick. Some of them let you manually change the server location. You would find a list of servers available, and you can choose one. This can be useful for accessing online streaming services from a particular location. The VPN fools the desired server to believe that you are accessing the site from the chosen location.

Using VPN on Windows 10 when you cannot install an app

Are you using Windows 10 in S mode, then you have the drawback that it doesn’t let you install apps outside the Windows store. This is where you can directly configure VPN from your machine manually.

Make sure that you complete the account creation process and keep your credentials ready. You should have prior information like the VPN type, sign-in info type, server address, and others. Once you have gathered these details here is how you should proceed-

1. Click the Windows logo at the bottom of your screen and go to the Settings page
2. Choose Network & Internet section on your Settings page
3. Among the options in the menu on the left, you should find VPN
4. Click on the VPN option, and you will find the options “Allow VPN over metered networks” and “Allow VPN while roaming.” Toggle the respective options as required.
5. Click Add a VPN connection option
6. It takes you to the page where you take care of VPN configuration
7. In the VPN provider dropdown, select “Windows (built-in)”
8. Enter the connection name and server address from the details you get from your VPN provider
9. Choose the sign-in info type depending on the VPN connection type you work with
10. Create the user name and password if required and click on Save

When you then go back to the VPN page in Settings, you should see the VPN you completed configuring. Click “Connect” and enjoy secure VPN based connection on your Windows 10 PC.

You can navigate to any IP address checking site online. You should see a different IP address and not the default one that your PC has. If this happens, you can be assured that your VPN connection has gone live.

Disabling the VPN setup

1. Go to the VPN page in Settings
2. When you click on the connected VPN when it is live, you should see the “Disconnect” option. Click this before you remove or disable the VPN
3. Once you disconnect the VPN, you should then find the “Remove” button on clicking the corresponding VPN.

This disables the VPN and puts your PC back to the original state. 

As you can see, enabling and disabling a VPN on a machine takes a few simple steps, and anyone would be able to do this. Make sure that you know the pros and cons of VPN and pick the best one out there. There are plenty of choices when it comes to VPN depending on the level of protection they offer, the encryption provided, and more. Pick something that works best depending on the sites you usually browse. If you access several risky connections, it is a good idea to invest in a VPN that doesn’t save your PC details while also offering good masking of the IP and DNS details.