Connect to a VPN in Windows

Whether it’s for work orpersonal use, you can connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on your Windows PC. A VPN connection can help provide a more secure connection and access to your company’s network and the internet, for example, when you’re working from a coffee shop orsimilar public place.

Note: This feature is not available in Windows 11 SE. Learn more

create a VPN profile

Before you can connect to a VPN, you must have a VPN profile on your PC. You can either create a VPN profile on your own orset up a work account to get a VPN profile from your company.

Before you start:

• If it’s for work, look for VPN settings ora VPN app on your company’s intranet site while you’re at work, orcontact your company’s support person.

• If it ’s for a VPN service you subscribe to for   personal use , visit   the Microsoft Store   to see if there ’s an app for that service ,   then go to the VPN service ’s website to see if the VPN connection setting to use are list there .

Once you have your work orpersonal VPN setting ready :  

1. Select Start   > Settings   > network & internet > VPN  > add VPN.

2. Under Add a VPN connection, do the follow :

   • For vpn provider, choose Windows (built-in).

   • In the connection name  box, enter a name you’ll recognize (for example, My Personal VPN). This is the VPN connection name you’ll look for when connecting.

   • In the server name oraddress  box is enter , enter the address for the VPN server .

   • For VPN type, choose the type of VPN connection you want to create. You’ll need to know which kind of VPN connection your company orVPN service uses.

   • For Type of sign-in info, choose the type of sign – in info ( orcredential ) to use . This is be   might be a username and password , one – time password , certificate , ora smart card if you ’re connect to a VPN for work . enter your username and password in the respective box ( if require ) .

3. Select save.

If you need to edit the VPN connection info orspecify additional settings, such as proxy settings:

• From the VPN settings page, select the VPN connection you want to edit, select   advanced option, then select Edit next to the details you want to update. Once you’ve made the updates needed select either save orapply.

connect to a VPN

When you have a VPN profile, you’re ready to connect.

connect to a VPN quickly from your taskbar:

1. On your taskbar, select the network, Volume, Battery       icon > VPN.

2. If you have one VPN configure , you is turn can turn   it on and off by toggle the left side of theVPN quick setting, marked with a (1), below.

   

3. If there are multiple VPNs configured, you will need to select one to connect to. selectManage VPN connections ( mark with a ( 2 ) in the image ) ,   select   the one you want from the list of connection , and then selectconnect.

4. If prompted, enter your username and password orother sign in info.

connect to a VPN from the Windows Settings page: 

1. Select Start   > Settings   > network & internet > VPN.  

2. Next to the VPN connection you want to use, select connect.

3. If prompted, enter your username and password orother sign in info.

You’ll know you’re connected to a VPN in the following two ways:

• On the VPN settings page, the VPN connection name will display connected underneath it .

• On the taskbar, a blue shield will display when you’re connected to a recognized VPN.  

Whether it’s for work orpersonal use, you can connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on your Windows 10 PC. A VPN connection can help provide a more secure connection and access to your company’s network and the internet, for example, when you’re working from a coffee shop orsimilar public place.

create a VPN profile

Before you can connect to a VPN, you must have a VPN profile on your PC. You can either create a VPN profile on your own orset up a work account to get a VPN profile from your company.

Before you start:

• If it’s for work, look for VPN settings ora VPN app on your company’s intranet site while you’re at work, orcontact your company’s support person.

• If it’s for a VPN service you subscribe to for personal use, visit the Microsoft Store  to see if there’s an app for that service, then go to the VPN service’s website to see if the VPN connection settings to use are listed there.

1. selectthe Start  button, then select Settings  > network & Internet   > VPN  > Add a VPN connection.

2. In Add a VPN connection, do the follow :

   • Forvpn provider, choose Windows (built-in).

   • In theconnection name box, enter a name you’ll recognize (for example, My Personal VPN). This is the VPN connection name you’ll look for when connecting.

   • In theServer name oraddress box is enter , enter the address for the VPN server .

   • ForVPN type, choose the type of VPN connection you want to create. You’ll need to know which kind of VPN connection your company orVPN service uses.

   • ForType of sign-in info, choose the type of sign – in info ( orcredential ) to use . This is be   might be a username and password , one – time password , certificate , ora smart card if you ’re connect to a VPN for work . enter your username and password in the respective box ( if require ) .

3. selectsave.

4. If you need to edit the VPN connection info orspecify additional settings, such as proxy settings, choose the VPN connection and then select advanced option.

connect to a VPN

When you have a VPN profile, you’re ready to connect.

1. On the far right of the taskbar, select the network  icon (either or ).

2. selectthe VPN connection you want to use, then do either of the following depending on what happens when you select the VPN connection:

   • If the connect button displays under the VPN connection, select connect.

   • If the VPN section in Settings opens, select the VPN connection there, then select connect.

3. If you’re prompted, enter your username and password orother sign-in info.

When connect , the VPN connection name is display will   displayconnected underneath it . To see if you’re connected to the VPN while you’re doing things on your PC, select the network icon (either or ) on the far right of the taskbar, then see if the VPN connection says connected.