Installing a VPN app on your Windows 11 is the best way to get VPN protection. However, you might need to manually install a corporate VPN for work or based on your personal preference.
Luckily, this is a fairly straightforward process. The steps below outline how to add a VPN to Windows 11 manually:
- Get valid login credentials and make sure that you’re using an account with administrator permissions.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > VPN.
- Click on Add VPN.
- Fill in the necessary details and click save. Your VPN connection has now been configured!
Whether you want to install a VPN service on Windows 11 manually or want to use the app, we recommend NordVPN. It’s exceptionally easy to install, user-friendly, provides fast VPN connections, and boasts solid security features.
Read the rest of the article for more information on the different ways to set up VPN connections and how to use a VPN on Windows 11.
Manually configuring a VPN on Windows 11 sounds complicated, considering all the steps involved. However, in this article, our VPN experts will reveal simple and easy-to-follow steps to set up a VPN on Windows 11.
Although Windows 11 is one of Microsoft’s best operating systems, it doesn’t guarantee security and anonymity while browsing online. For that, you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN).
Many VPNs have native apps for Windows 11 devices. However, manual configuration can be handy if you want to set up a corporate VPN for work or if VPN apps aren’t working for you. Keep reading below for the best way to set up a VPN on Windows 11.
How to Install a VPN on Windows 11 (Easy)
We recommend installing VPN software for Windows 11 rather than configuring it manually.
Prefer a video guide? Check out our tutorial on downloading and installing NordVPN below. NordVPN is our highest-ranking VPN provider after testing 70+ VPNs on speed, security, privacy, and more.
Getting NordVPN on your device is as quick and easy as following 3 steps. For the step-by-step tutorial, see below:
- Purchase a subscription on the NordVPN website. Want big savings? You can get 69% off your subscription by using our link! Just click on the button below:
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- Download and install the NordVPN Windows app. Just follow the installation wizard — NordVPN has one of the most seamless installation processes we’ve seen.
- Open the NordVPN app and connect to any server of your choice.
That’s it! You’re now connected to a VPN.
If you want to use the VPN client for a specific purpose, like watching Netflix or catching a UFC fight, make sure to select a suitable server location. For example, you can access Netflix’s American library by selecting a server located in the US.
We recommend NordVPN above all others because it’s the most reliable VPN we’ve ever tested. It boasts over 6000+ servers in 61 countries, all of which can circumvent any geoblock. NordVPN also provides a secure connection thanks to security features like AES encryption, double VPN servers, and DNS leak protection.
How to Manually Configure a VPN on Windows 11 (Advanced)
Below, we’ll show you how to add a VPN to Windows 11 manually.
Step 1: Get the correct login details
When adding a VPN connection on Windows 11, you’ll be asked to fill in the relevant login details, such as a username, password, and server address or name. You can find those details, depending on the purpose of the VPN, from here:
- Corporate VPN: Your boss, company intranet site, or administrative section should be able to provide the required login details.
- Private VPN: These are the same details you used when creating an account and purchasing a subscription.
Step 2: Use a Windows 11 account with administrator rights
You should ensure that you’re using a Windows 11 account with administrator rights. Only these accounts are authorized to add and modify VPN settings on Windows 11. If you’re setting up a VPN on your own device, then it’s likely your account already has user rights.
If you’re using a guest account on someone else’s device, then you may need to ask them to grant you admin rights. If it’s a work computer, make sure you get authorization from your IT department.
Step 3: Add a VPN profile using Windows 11 internet settings
Once you’re using an account with admin rights, do the following:
- Open your Settings menu by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard simultaneously.
- Then, navigate to Network and Internet settings > VPN > Add VPN.
- Once you click the “Add VPN” button, the “Add a VPN connection” form should pop up. Fill in these details by referring to the instructions in the table below:
| Field | Instructions |
|---|---|
| VPN provider | It’s usually best to stick with Windows (built-in). |
| Connection name | This is up to you, but ideally, the name should help you easily identify what the VPN connection is for. “Work VPN,” for instance, is a good option. |
| Server name or address | You should find the VPN’s server name or address in the “Servers” section of its website. For instance, you can find NordVPN’s server addresses on the server page of the NordVPN website. Open the server page and click on “Recommended Servers.” You’ll see the address under the server name. It should look something like “us10361.nordvpn.com.” There’s a scroll-down button to help you find addresses for other servers. If this info is not on the VPN website, contact the VPN’s customer service. |
| VPN type | Choose Automatic from the drop-down menu. However, if you know the exact protocol you’d like to use, then select that one. Windows 11 supports virtually all leading VPN protocols, such as IKEv2, L2TP, and PPTP. |
| Type of sign-in info | This lets you specify the way you wish to log in. Username and password are the most common options. |
| User name and Password | Input your log-in details. |
Step 4: Connect to the VPN server
Now that you’ve successfully configured a VPN profile, the next step is to connect to the VPN server. Here’s how you can do this:
- Go to Settings > Network and Internet.
- Click on VPN. You should be able to see the VPN profile you just added.
- Click on the “Connect” button and wait for a few minutes.
That’s it — you’ve now successfully connected to a VPN server!
To check if you’re connected to a VPN server, you can hover your mouse pointer over the Network icon located in the right corner of your taskbar. It should show the VPN connection’s name.
Advanced Settings for Setting Up a VPN on Windows
Windows 11 provides two extra VPN connection settings to make sure your VPN works:
- Allow VPN over metered networks: If you’re on a metered network where you’ve set a data allowance, a manual VPN configuration might not work. Enable this setting to make sure your data restrictions don’t affect your VPN use.
- Allow VPN while roaming: Enable this setting if you’re traveling to a different country. This will ensure that your VPN service will work even while you connect to different networks in different countries.
Benefits of Using a VPN with Windows 11
A VPN provides many security and privacy benefits to make up for Windows 11’s inadequacies. Here’s a summary of how a VPN can help you:
- Encrypting your internet traffic to prevent snooping and surveillance by your ISP, government surveillance associations, or other malicious actors
- Changing your virtual location by spoofing your IP address to prevent anyone from tracking your internet use
- Helping you access geo-blocked websites, especially streaming platforms like Netflix
- Enabling users to download torrents and other files safely and anonymously
- Helping you avoid cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware, man-in-the-middle, identity theft attacks, and all the dangers of public WiFi
As we’ve already mentioned, NordVPN is the best VPN on the market, offering excellent value for money. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the VPN yourself and see if it suits your needs!
How to Troubleshoot Your VPN Setup
Is your VPN not working? We’ll reveal tried-and-tested tips to get your VPN connection up and running.
- Check if you entered the right details during the setup process. You might have entered the wrong username, password, or server name.
- Make sure “advanced settings” is on if you’re on a metered connection. Metered connections can prevent VPN connections from working properly, especially if you’re traveling. Check “allow VPN over metered connections” and “allow VPN while roaming.”
- Check if your device is connected to the internet. You can also try disconnecting and then reconnecting if issues persist.
- Change VPN servers. Servers might suffer from overcrowding, especially if you use free or low-tier VPNs.
- Restore your VPN app to its default settings. This can resolve most setting-related problems.
- Update your VPN app. Developers push updates to resolve bugs and solve any security issues. Keeping your software up to date will reduce future issues.
Final Thoughts: Setting up a VPN Connection on Windows 11
If you want to know how to use VPN on Windows 11 for work or any other purpose, you may find the process daunting at first. However, Windows has a simplified way, which we’ve explained in this article.
You can find a summary of the best reasons to use a VPN app in the table below:
Use Manual Configuration If:
- You want to set up a corporate VPN for work
- You don't want to install a VPN app on your device
Use a VPN App If:
- You want to setup a VPN without complicated processes
- You want to be able to change the various settings of your VPN easily
- You want to switch between servers quickly and smoothly
If there’s no special reason for manually installing a VPN on Windows 11, we recommend using an app instead. Most VPNs have native Windows apps that are easy to install.
The best VPN for Windows and any other device is NordVPN. It offers over 6000+ ultra-fast servers in 61 countries that can unblock most websites and provide solid security and anonymity for your internet connection.
Some of the most common questions about manually setting up a VPN connection Windows 11 are answered below. Please let us know if there are any questions that remain unanswered in the comments!
Yes, VPN connections work with Windows 11. A VPN encrypts your personal data and helps maintain privacy when using Windows 11. You can easily configure and install a VPN on Windows 11.
Follow the steps listed below to manually add a VPN connection on Windows 11:
- Open up the Settings by using the Start menu.
- Find Network and Internet in Settings and click on it.
- Click on the VPN icon in the Network and Internet menu.
- Click on “Add a VPN” and fill in the relevant details in the dialogue box that pops up.
- Click on “Save.”
You can easily connect to a VPN connection you’ve added using the following steps:
- Navigate to Network and Internet settings in the Windows Settings interface.
- Click on “VPN.”
- The VPN profiles you’ve previously added should be visible. Click on “Connect VPN” next to the one you want to use.
- You should now be connected to the chosen VPN server.
Do you have a list of all providers that support manual set up VPN on windows? Thanks
VPN providers are constantly changing, so it's hard to give one definite list. Luckily, there are a lot of VPN services that allow for manual setup. Here are a few of our favorites: NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and FastestVPN. We specifically tested it with Surfshark for this article, so that's the provider we would recommend!