The beauty of the best VPN services is that they have an intuitive Windows 10 app that makes setting up a connection as easy as clicking a big green button that says "connect." However, if you're running Windows 10 in S mode and can't install apps from outside the Store, or you're using a VPN without a client, you can still configure a VPN manually. Here's everything you need to know.
How to manually add and connect to a VPN on Windows 10
Note: If you've upgraded to Windows 11, our guide on how to manually configure a VPN on Windows 11 will help you through the process.
Once you subscribe to a VPN service — keep in mind there are plenty of great VPN options out there — you should have access to a list of servers that you can connect to. It will differ depending on the VPN service you're using, but you should have access to a webpage or desktop app section that lists the server's location, the address needed to create a manual connection, and the current load of the server.
Your VPN provider should also provide manual sign-in information that can be used as credentials. This might be some sort of username and password or certificate depending on the service, and it will vary from provider to provider.
Once you have the required information to make a connection, you can jump into settings and get everything running.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click Network & Internet.
- Click VPN.
- Click Add a VPN connection.
- Click the dropdown menu below VPN provider.
- Click Windows (built-in).
- Click the Connection name field.
- Type a name for the VPN connection. (In this case, I'll use the name of my provider and the server location.)
- Click the Server name or address field.
- Type the server's address. (You can likely find this in your VPN account.)
- Click the dropdown menu below VPN type.
- Choose a connection protocol.
- Click the dropdown menu below Type of sign-in info.
- Click a sign-in method. (This will no doubt change depending on your VPN provider.)
- Click Save.
- Click the VPN you just set up. (It will now appear in the VPN list.)
- Click Connect. (Depending on the sign-in method used by your provider, you might have to enter your username and password.)
How to disconnect and remove a VPN on Windows 10
If you don't want to use a VPN anymore, or if you just want to remove a server from the list, you can disconnect or altogether remove it. There is a VPN button for quick on and off located in the Windows 10 action center (the small speech bubble in the bottom-right corner of your display), but we'll go through the entire process, which includes completely removing a VPN from your system.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click Network & Internet.
- Click VPN.
- Click a VPN connection you want to disconnect or remove.
- Click Disconnect.
- Click Remove.
- Click Remove again to confirm.
That's it! The VPN you configured should now be removed. You can always add a server again using the first set of instructions.
Note that even if you manually configure a VPN on Windows 10 you will still be able to use a separate client without issue. You can always remove the manual connection, but it's not entirely necessary.
Our top VPN and software picks
To complete the steps laid out above, you'll need to invest in a quality VPN and you'll need Windows 10. We are partial to ExpressVPN thanks to a great price, tons of features, and proven security, but there are plenty more options in our collection of the best VPN services.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
