Windows 10 has finally been released and is receiving rather favourable reviews which is refreshing considering Windows 8 was generally disliked across the board. A new operating system often means a new way of doing things and setting up a VPN connection is no exception.

So if you’ve taken the plunge and updated to Windows 10 then follow my guide below and I’ll show you how to set up a VPN connection on Windows 10.

Firstly if you don’t want to be messing around entering settings I’m happy to report that the majority of VPN providers software for Windows I’ve tested including IPVanish, VyprVPN and ExpressVPN all works fine with Windows 10. It’s the quickest and easiest way to protect your online privacy.

However, if you have a need to set up a direct connection for PPTP, L2TP, SSTP or IKEv2 keep reading as it’s relatively easy.

If you’re looking for a quality VPN provider for Windows 10 then just follow the button below.

How to set up a VPN connection on Windows 10

The below method works generally the same for PPTP, L2TP, SSTP or IKEv2 although for this example I’ll be configuring L2TP which may involve a few extra steps that the other protocols don’t.

I used the provider IPVanish for the purpose of this set-up guide, but the process will be near enough identical for most commonly used VPN providers.

1) Click the Start Button and select Settings.

2) Click Network & Internet.

3) Click VPN on the left hand side and then Add a VPN connection.

4) Enter the following details :

• VPN Provider : Windows (built-in).
• Connection Name : A name you will recognise the connection by such as your VPN Provider’s name or Server Location.
• Server name or address : The IP or hostname for the VPN server.
• VPN type : Select the VPN Protocol, I opted for Layer 2 Tunnelling Protocol with IPsec (L2TP/IPsec).
• Type of sign-in info : Usually this will be Username and password.
• Username (optional) : Enter your VPN Username if you wish to store it.
• Password (optional) : Enter your VPN Password if you wish to store it.

Tick Remember my sign-in info if you wish the computer to retain your details, for a public computer this should not be selected.

5) Press Save.

6) Press Right-Mouse button on the Network Icon in the notification area then press Open Network and Sharing Centre.

7) Press Change adapter settings.

8) Press Right-Mouse button on the icon with the name you entered for Connection Name in step 4.

9) Press Properties.

10) Press on the Security tab. Then press Advanced settings.

11) Select Use pre-shared key for authentication and enter : ipvanish. Then press OK.

12) Select Allow these protocols and tick Microsoft CHAP Version 2 (MS-CHAP v2).

13) Press the Networking tab. Untick all options leaving only Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) selected.

14) Press OK.

15) Press Left-Mouse button on the Network Icon. Then press on the Connection Name you created. Then press Connect.

If all goes well you should now be connected. You can verify this by visiting a website such as geotool.flagfox.net to check if your IP Address has changed.