| Updated: January 5, 2025
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All commercial VPNs provide a dedicated Windows app, available for download directly from their websites, making installation on your Windows device quick and easy. Here are the steps to download and install a VPN on Windows 10:
You can also manually configure a VPN on your Windows 10 PC or laptop. This method is typically required for setting up a corporate VPN under the guidance of your IT manager.
I’ve outlined every step to manually install a VPN on Windows 10, both with and without a third-party VPN client. However, before proceeding with the configuration, ensure you choose a reliable VPN that offers a dedicated Windows app and supports easy manual setup.
I recommend NordVPN and ExpressVPN, as they provide highly optimized servers for fast internet speeds and robust online privacy, along with 24/7 chat support to assist you in configuring a VPN on Windows 10.
Apart from hiding your IP address and letting you access geo-restricted websites and streaming services, VPNs offer many other advantages, such as ad-blocking and threat protection. This is one reason for their growing popularity; according to Forbes, 72% of desktop and laptop users use VPNs that are operated on Windows.
The Windows app for the VPN is developed as proprietary software, with Android and iOS applications following suit. In this article, I discuss two methods for installing a VPN on your Windows PC. The first method is the simplest and comes highly recommended. The second method provides a detailed guide for manually setting up a VPN on Windows 10.
These methods and steps will work on both Windows 10 Pro and Home, so let’s begin this guide without further ado.
The first method to install VPN on Windows is the easiest. All you need to do is subscribe to a premium VPN if you haven’t already and download its Windows app from its website.
This app can be found in the “Download VPN or Download” section of their website and is mostly placed in the header section for easy navigation. Here are the sptes to download and install a VPN on your Windows 10 PC/Laptop:
This is the easiest method to download and install a VPN on Windows 10. However, it’s not the only option. If you need to set up a VPN on Windows 10 for business or corporate purposes, follow the manual VPN setup instructions provided below.
Both commercial and corporate VPNs can be set up on Windows 10, but they require additional steps and technical supervision. However, with these steps, you can easily set up a VPN on Windows 10 manually and gain complete control over it.
Before you proceed with this method, let me tell you there are a few disadvantages associated with this methodology of VPN configuration on Windows 10. It does not support modern and secure VPN protocols and relies on less secure protocols like PPTP, IKEv2, SSTP, and L2TP.
These protocols are fast and provide adequate encryption, but they are not the best VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. With that being said let’s begin setting up a VPN on Windows 10:
I don’t use or recommend this method of setting up a VPN on your Windows 10 device because it uses less secure VPN protocols and reduces internet speed. However, you can use several techniques to increase your internet speed if you like streaming or playing online games, which requires a lower ping rate.
Note: Your VPN must support the above protocols to work correctly. For instance, you will need to download and install OpenVPN GUI to set up ExpressVPN or NordVPN on Windows 10 manually.
I will be using the OpenVPN GUI to set up a VPN on Windows. This approach is easier than the one I mentioned above and is completed in fewer steps. However, you can only use the OpenVPN protocols with it.
Here are the steps to configure a VPN manually on Windows 10 with a VPN client:
I have tested these steps to configure ExpressVPN and NordVPN manually on Windows 10. With the assistance of the OpenVPN GUI, the work becomes easier, and I am getting the OpenVPN protocol on top of that.
Note: After configuring a VPN via a third-party VPN client, you are advised to test your VPN for IP, DNS, and browser leaks.
Using a VPN has disadvantages and advantages. The number of advantages is offers more than its disadvantages, which is the reason for the popularity of VPN software. Here are a few reasons people prefer using a VPN with Windows devices:
According to CNET, the main reason for using VPN software is online privacy, followed by ISP tracking and unblocking streaming services.
There can be several reasons why your VPN is not working after setting up manually. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot and rectify the problem.
| Solution | Description |
| Check your internet connection | Ensure a stable internet connection before using a VPN by checking the network icon or Network Settings. Restart your router or contact your ISP if there are connectivity issues. |
| Restart the VPN | If the VPN isn’t working despite a stable internet connection, try switching to a different server or restarting the VPN app. Use the Task Manager to fully close and reopen the app if needed. |
| Change your VPN protocol | Switching VPN protocols in the settings can resolve connectivity issues caused by certain protocols. |
| Check your PC for viruses | Viruses and malware can disrupt VPN connectivity. Use robust antivirus software like Windows Defender or a paid option like Avast or Norton to scan and protect your device. |
| Turn off IPV6 | Disable IPV6 in your network settings if it interferes with your VPN, as most providers primarily support IPV4. |
| Restart the TAP Adapter | Restart the VPN’s TAP Adapter by disabling and re-enabling it in the Network and Sharing Center to resolve potential glitches. |
| Contact support team | You should contact the support team of your VPN provider or the IT manager in case of a corporate VPN. |
I will discuss the top commercial VPNs that are easy to set up and use on Windows devices. I have personally configured ExpressVPN and NordVPN on Windows 10 Pro manually using the OpenVPN GUI. Additionally, I set up IPVanish manually on Windows 10 using IKEv2 VPN protocols.
Most VPN providers recommend using the OpenVPN GUI for manual configuration on Windows 10, as it simplifies the process. With that in mind, here are the best VPNs for Windows and their standout features:
ExpressVPN has been the first choice of privacy enthusiasts and streamers. It provides highly optimized VPN servers that can support speeds up to 10 Gbps, essential for online gaming and 4K streaming. Additionally, it supports secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN and Lightway and has been reviewed and rated the best VPN for Windows by several VPN review websites like VPN for What.
It has dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Smart TV, and Apple TV and can be used on eight devices simultaneously. However, you will need a third-party VPN client ‘OpenVPN” to set up ExpressVPN on Windows 10 manually.
A 2-year deal is available at $4.99/m with a 61% discount and four months free. You will also get access to the 24/7 chat support and advanced features offered by the VPN provider. Additionally, ExpressVPN’s cancellation & refund process is super easy, and every subscription is protected with a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
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NordVPN has garnered numerous awards and is widely recognized as the best overall VPN for streaming, gaming, and online privacy. Consistently ranked among the top three VPNs since 2022, it has maintained its reputation for excellence. As an avid NordVPN user, I rely on it for streaming, and it has consistently provided top-tier servers that exceed my expectations.
NordVPN has one of the largest server networks, with over 6,000 servers in 100+ locations worldwide. Each server is optimized for speed, security, and privacy. It employs advanced encryption ciphers like AES-256 and ChaCha20 for secure data tunneling and supports modern protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and NordLynx—a custom implementation of WireGuard.
NordVPN offers a dedicated app for Windows, available for download directly from its website. Alternatively, you can configure NordVPN manually on Windows 10 using OpenVPN software.
The service also provides apps for macOS, Apple TV, Android TV, and can even be installed on modern routers. I have also created a detailed guide on installing a VPN on Apple TV, which you should check out.
The VPN comes with advanced features such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and ad and threat protection, all included in the standard subscription. Additionally, a dedicated IP address is available for an extra fee.
NordVPN’s 2-year plan is available for just $4.49/month, offering a 70% discount along with 3 free months. All subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and NordVPN’s cancellation and refund process is among the best in the industry.
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IPVanish has been a trusted name in the VPN market for decades and has significantly enhanced its product over time. It has undergone third-party audits, which found no issues with its servers, encryption, or apps. I tested it for mobile leaks and have no complaints.
While IPVanish offers a dedicated app for Windows, it can also be configured manually without a third-party client. To do this, you’ll need to set up an IKEv2 connection on your Windows device to connect to IPVanish. I’ve successfully done this on my laptop, and here’s a guide provided by IPVanish to help you through the process.
I recently used IPVanish to unblock streaming platforms on a Fire TV Stick, and it worked flawlessly. If you enjoy streaming, binge-watching movies, TV shows, or live sports, installing a VPN on your Fire TV Stick is highly recommended.
A 2-year subscription is available for just $2.19/month, offering an impressive 83% discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee. I’ve personally tested IPVanish’s cancellation and refund process, and they returned my money in under 10 days.
Subscribe to a VPN with a dedicated Windows app, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Alternatively, I have outlined the best methods to configure a VPN on your Windows 10 device, both directly and via a VPN client. Personally, I prefer downloading a VPN directly from the provider’s website or using OpenVPN GUI for configuration, as it ensures secure data encryption.
Manual VPN setup on Windows is my least preferred method due to its complexity and lack of support for modern VPN protocols. However, it remains effective and is often necessary when setting up a corporate VPN manually on a Windows device.
To sum it up, I have listed three methods to configure a VPN on Windows 10:
The easiest way to install and use a VPN on Windows 10 is to download the Windows Support VPN app from the provider’s website.
Here are the steps to do that:
You can also configure a VPN manually on your Windows device, but it will require additional steps, which I have mentioned above.
Windows 10 supports IKEv2, SSTP, PPTP, and L2TP protocols, which are considered outdated and have been phased out by most commercial VPNs.
While these protocols offer adequate encryption, they fall short of the advanced security provided by OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Yes, you can use two VPNs, but they won’t work simultaneously. One VPN can only encrypt your connection at a time, and attempting to connect to two VPNs simultaneously may cause disconnection issues.
You can manually set up a VPN on your Windows 10 device, but it requires additional steps and supervision. Companies with remote employees in different regions often require configuring a corporate VPN under the guidance of their IT manager.
Commercial VPNs can also be configured manually on Windows 10, either directly or using a third-party VPN client, as discussed earlier in this article.
Commercial VPNs follow the same settings for free and paid versions. You can follow the above-mentioned methods to set up a free VPN on Windows 10.
Yes, Windows 10 includes a built-in VPN client integrated into the operating system. However, you will need to provide details such as the server address, your login credentials, and other configuration settings to make it functional.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
