Most VPN providers come with finished and beautiful looking VPN apps that you can use in Windows and on other platforms. But, in some cases you will want to setup your VPN connection manually. In this article we will tell you how to setup VPN in Windows manually.
We got the idea of writing this article based on a comment related to HideMyAss. Since the latest update it is not possible to decide what server in a nation you want to use, but you will automatically connect to the server in a nation with the best ping. But, on some instances certain IPs are closed by for example TV providers, which means that it is important that you decide which server you connect to in a nation yourself, and you do not want the VPN provider to choose for you. So, what can you do to setup your VPN connection manually in Windows instead of letting your VPN provider automatically connect you to the “quickest server in a nation.”
How to setup VPN in Windows manually?
To setup your VPN connection in Windows manually you will need to know two details.
- The IP address of the server you want to connect to.
- The username and your password given you by the VPN provider.
If you want to change manually using for example HideMyAss, then you need to login to your HideMyAss account online and then click “Download and Setup.” Go to PPTP & LT2P and click for the instructions. There you will find both your username and password that you need to setup the VPN connection and also the IP address of the different VPN servers. Now follow these steps.
Setting up VPN in Windows
- Right click your Wireless Network icon in lower right corner.
- Press Network and Sharing center.
- Click “Setup a new connection or network.”
- Press the “Connect to a workplace icon.”
- Choose that you want to setup a new connection.
- Select the “Use my Internet connection” option.
- In the Internet address type the IP address of the server you want to use.
- Give the connection a name that you like.
- Go on and then add the type your username and password given by your VPN provider.
- Press connect and go for it!
These instructions are valid for Windows 7, but the steps are quite similar also in other Windows operating systems. Follow these and you should be able to manually setup your VPN connection in Windows. It is worth knowing that following these instructions you will use the PPTP protocol, which is recommended for watching online content, but not that good if your goal is as high encryption as possible.
If you want to read a similar article, find out how to setup PureVPN in Ubuntu.