How to Set up a VPN on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

It’s great to see that more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of using a virtual private network (VPN). By using a VPN, you can create a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the web, shielding your online activities from prying eyes, including government entities, internet providers, and online advertisers. Additionally, a VPN can safeguard your personal information from hackers and allow you to bypass restrictions and censorship.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up a VPN on a Windows 10 device. Windows 10 is one of the most widely used desktop operating systems to date, so if you have a computer that runs the system, whether at home or in your office, this guide will help you set up a VPN for it.

Is There More Than One Way to Set up a VPN on Windows 10?

Before we get started, we’d like to point out that there’s more than one way of setting up a VPN on a Windows 10 computer. We’ll be highlighting the two most commonly used methods: using a VPN app and manually configuring a VPN profile.

We’d say that using a VPN app is more appropriate for beginners, but if you really want to get in there and customize how your PC connects to a VPN, configuring a VPN profile manually is the best way to go about it.

Now, let’s talk about each method, starting with the easier one: using a VPN app.

Setting up a VPN Manually on Windows 10

As we mentioned earlier, you can also set up a VPN manually if you want access to more configurations. We recommend this method for those who have specific purposes for using a VPN, such as torrenting and peer-to-peer networking.

The steps are actually rather similar to using a VPN app, but instead of the app being responsible for setting up the VPN profile and network configuration automatically, you’ll have to do those things manually.

Moreover, not all Windows VPNs can be set up using the manual method, only those that provide manual VPN configuration files. One example we know is NordVPN, currently the best VPN on the market. Learn more about this VPN in our NordVPN review.

Now, there are two ways to manually set up a VPN on Windows 10. Let’s take a closer look.

The First Approach: A VPN Client App

The first approach uses a third-party VPN client, essentially an app that translates the VPN configuration file for your device. With this method, manually setting up a VPN becomes almost as easy as using the VPN app method, while providing the same level of configurability of a manual VPN setup.

The issue with this approach is that it works best only if you plan on using the OpenVPN protocol. If you plan to use WireGuard or any other VPN protocol, you’ll have a harder time finding a compatible VPN client.

Note that the process varies greatly depending on a number of factors, including which VPN client you choose to use and how you configure your VPN connection. Generally speaking, however, here’s how you can manually set up a VPN on Windows 10 using a VPN client:

1. Download and install a VPN client. One example is the OpenVPN GUI client.2
2. Select a VPN service that offers OpenVPN as a VPN protocol and allows manual server configuration, such as NordVPN or Surfshark.
3. Create an account and log in.
4. Look for the VPN’s server configuration file page. If you can’t find it, you can contact support for help.
5. Follow the instructions for customizing the configuration file, including selecting a VPN protocol (OpenVPN) and choosing a server.
6. Generate a configuration file with your settings and download it.
7. Copy the downloaded file to the directory of the VPN client you installed from Step 1 (e.g., C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config\).
8. Launch the VPN client app and allow it to make changes to your device.
9. Right-click the VPN client’s app icon in the system tray area, select the server you’ve configured, and click Connect.
10. Enter your login credentials if prompted.

The Second Approach: Windows 10’s Built-in VPN Settings

One would think that Windows 10’s built-in VPN settings would be the easiest to approach, but they aren’t. It requires a lot of guidance from your VPN provider, as you’ll need to fill in details like the server name or address and the type of sign-in information to use. For this approach, we recommend getting in touch with your VPN provider for a smoother experience.

Another issue with this approach is that it doesn’t support the VPN protocols we recommend. Instead, it uses less secure protocols like IKEv2, SSTP, and L2TP/IPSec. These are older VPN protocols that, although fast, don’t support the more sophisticated encryption offered by OpenVPN and WireGuard.

If you still want to take this approach, though, here’s how to access it:

1. Open your Windows 10’s Settings app.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Select VPN.
4. Under VPN Connections, click Add VPN.
5. In the VPN provider field, select Windows (built-in).
6. For the Connection Name field, set any name that you can easily remember.
7. Obtain a server name or address from your VPN provider and enter it in the Server Name or Address field.
8. Select the VPN protocol.
9. Set your sign-in information. If you’re not sure which to put, contact your VPN provider’s support team.
10. Create a username and password for the VPN connection (optional).
11.  Click Save.
12. Click the connect button next to the Connection Name that you set in Step 6 to connect to the VPN.

Because of the less secure VPN protocols supported by this approach, this is the method we recommend the least. It comes handy, though, for VPNs that don’t have a Windows app.

Conclusion: Which Method Is Best?

There you have it, the most commonly used methods for setting up a VPN on a Windows 10 device. Each method has a different degree of difficulty and configurability. Essentially, the VPN app method is the easiest because everything is automatic, but it tends to be less configurable. On the other hand, a manual setup is not as straightforward, but it lets you access more configurations.

If you’re not looking to set up a specific type of connection, we recommend the VPN app approach. You can still customize your connection with most Windows 10 VPN apps, and you can secure your device in minutes. Moreover, VPN apps lend you more flexibility, as you can switch server locations easily without using the in-app server menu. With a manual setup, you get access to only one VPN server per VPN profile, which means you have to repeat the setup process for every server you wish to use.