Connect to a VPN in Windows 10

Whether it's for work or personal use, you can connect to a VPN (virtual private network) on your Windows 10 PC. A VPN connection can help give you a more secure connection to your company's network and the Internet (for example, when you’re at a coffee shop).

Before you can connect to a VPN, you’ll need to a get a VPN profile on your PC. Here are two ways to get one:

• Create a VPN profile on your own.
• Set up a work account to get a VPN profile from your company.

Create a VPN profile

If you don't have a VPN profile on your PC, you'll need to create one. Before you start:

• If it’s for work, see if you can find the VPN settings and/or a VPN app on your company’s intranet site when you’re at work, or contact your company's support person.
• It it’s for a VPN service you subscribe to for your own use, visit Windows Store to see if there’s an app for that service, and go to the VPN service’s website to see if the VPN connection settings to use are listed there.

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet > VPN > Add a VPN connection.
2. In Add a VPN connection, do the following:
• For VPN provider, choose Windows (built-in).
• In the Connection name box, type a friendly name for the VPN connection profile.
  This is the VPN connection name to look for when you go to connect.
• In the Server name or address box, type the address for the VPN server.
• For VPN type, choose the type of VPN connection you want to create.
  Again, you’ll need to know which kind of VPN connection your company or VPN service uses.
• For Type of sign-in info, choose the type of sign-in info (also called credentials) to use.
  It might be a user name and password, one-time password, certificate, or maybe a smart card if you’re connecting to a VPN for work.
• If you like, enter your user name and password in the respective boxes.
3. Select Save.
4. If you need to edit the VPN connection info or specify additional settings, such as the proxy settings to use for the VPN connection, select the VPN connection > Advanced options.

Connect to a VPN

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

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet > VPN.
2. Select the VPN connection you want to use > Connect.
3. If prompted, enter your user name and password or other sign-in info.
   When you’re connected, the VPN connection name will say Connected underneath.

To quickly check and see if you’re connect to the VPN while you’re doing things on your PC, select the Network  icon on the far right of the taskbar, then see if the VPN connection says Connected underneath it.