Installing a VPN on Windows 11 is quite straightforward. You can follow these steps to manually install a free VPN via the Settings menu:
1. Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear-shaped icon for Settings.
2. In the Settings menu, find and click on the “Network & Internet” option. This will open a submenu with various network-related settings.
3. Within the “Network & Internet” submenu, locate and click on the “VPN” option. This will take you to the VPN settings page.
4. On the VPN settings page, you will see an option to “Add VPN.” Click on this option to start setting up a new VPN connection.
5. A new window will appear where you need to provide the necessary details for your VPN connection. Here’s what you need to specify:
– VPN provider: Choose the provider or client software you want to use for your VPN connection. If you already have a specific VPN software installed, it should appear in the drop-down list. Otherwise, you may need to download and install the VPN software before proceeding with these steps.
– Connection name: Enter a name for your VPN connection. This can be anything descriptive, such as the name of the VPN service or the location of the server you plan to connect to.
– Server name or address: Enter the server address or hostname provided by your VPN provider. This could be an IP address or a domain name. You can usually find this information on the VPN provider’s website or in their setup guides.
– VPN type: Choose the type of VPN protocol you want to use. Common options include PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and OpenVPN. If you’re unsure, you can consult your VPN provider’s recommendations or choose the default option.
– Type of sign-in info: Specify the type of credentials or sign-in information required to connect to the VPN. This can be a username and password, a certificate, or other authentication methods supported by your VPN provider.
6. Once you have filled in the necessary details, click on the “Save” button to create the VPN connection.
7. Your newly created VPN connection will now appear in the VPN settings list. To connect to the VPN, simply click on the toggle switch next to the connection name.
8. Windows will attempt to establish a connection to the VPN server using the provided settings. If successful, you will see a connected status for your VPN connection.
That’s it! You have successfully installed and connected to a VPN on Windows 11. Remember to disconnect from the VPN when you no longer need it to ensure your regular internet traffic is not routed through the VPN server.
Please note that the availability of certain options and settings may vary depending on the VPN software or service you choose to use. It’s always recommended to refer to the documentation or support resources provided by your VPN provider for specific instructions tailored to their software.