We’ve covered virtual private networks and when you might want to use them before. Connecting to a VPN is easy, as Windows and most other operating systems offer built-in VPN support.
The Easy Way: Use a VPN Client
Note that some VPN providers offer their own desktop clients, which means 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 basic users—offer their own desktop application for connecting to their VPNs and selecting VPN server locations.
Windows 10
RELATED:What Is a VPN, and Why Would I Need One?
Check out our step-by-step guide to set-up a VPN on any Windows 7 device using any protocol. To make it easier for you, each step is supported. Outgoing VPN: Connecting to a VPN Server or Router 1. In the Network and Sharing Center (under Control Panel, Network and Internet), there is an option to 'Set up a new connection or network.'
Windows 10 supports PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, and IKEv2 connections without any third-party software.
To connect to a VPN on Windows 10, head to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Click the “Add a VPN connection” button to set up a new VPN connection.
Provide the connection details for your VPN. You can enter any name you like under “Connection Name”. This name is just used on your computer to help you identify the VPN connection.
Your VPN provider should be able to provide you with these details. If the VPN is provided by your employer, your employer’s IT department should provide you with the details you’ll need to connect.
Once you’ve set up a VPN, you’ll see it in the network popup menu next to any nearby Wi-Fi networks.
Click the network name in the popup menu and Windows will open the Settings > Network & Internet > VPN window for you. Select the VPN and click “Connect” to connect to it. You can also configure or remove VPN connections from here.
Windows 7 and 8
To connect to a VPN on Windows 7, press the Windows key and, type VPN, and press Enter. (Note: If you’re using Windows 8, the process will be very similar, but some of the windows may look a little different.)
Enter the address of your VPN provider in the Internet Address box. You can enter an address like vpn.example.com or a numerical IP address, depending on the server information your VPN provider gave you.
You should also enter a Destination name—this can be anything you like. It’s only used to help you remember which VPN connection is which.
Enter your login credentials on the next screen. Use the username and password 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 save the VPN connection so you can easily connect later.
Once connected, you can click the network icon in your system tray to view your VPN connections. While connected to a VPN, all your network traffic will be sent over it.
To disconnect from a VPN, click it and click “Disconnect”. You can then reconnect to it later by clicking it and selecting Connect. You can have multiple VPNs configured and switch between them in this way.
To delete a saved VPN connection, press the Windows key, type “Network Connections”, and press Enter. Right-click a VPN connection and use the Delete option.
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Windows 7 makes it easy to connect to a VPN so that you can share files, programs, and peripheral devices, such as printers and scanners. Many VPNs are setup using the traditional wired Ethernet connection, but wireless VPNs are becoming increasingly more common. Fortunately Windows 7 is super at detecting existing private networks.
Once you’ve established the VPN connection in Windows 7, you can access the connection using either the Network and Sharing Center or the Wi-Fi icon in the notification area of the taskbar.
Start→Control Panel→View Network Status.
The Network and Sharing Center window opens.
Click the Connect to a Network link.
Windows 7 opens a dialog box that shows all the available networks in your area.
Locate the VPN you want to connect to and click its name and then click the Connect button.
The button only appears after you click the name of the network.
To disconnect from a network, click the network name in this dialog box and then click the Disconnect button. Click Disconnect when prompted and then click Close.
Enter your network security key.
Most VPNs require a security key. It’s the same one you used to establish the connection.
Select the Hide Characters check box if you want to keep the Key hidden.
Click OK and then click the Connect button.
Windows 7 will use the key to establish a connection to the VPN network.