As virtual private networks have risen over the last few years, the trend does not seem to be slowing. Most people want to get around geo-blocks, remote safely into their organization network, and play online games with network servers located in different countries. With a virtual private network, this is all easy.
The problems arise once you go looking for a reliable VPN service. Which is the most effective? The most protected? Figuring out these queries can take up the valuable time you do not have. So why not create and set up your own VPN?
Does Windows 10 have a Built-in VPN?
Technically, yes, but there are some significant warnings here. You may have seen a virtual private network listed under the ‘Network & Internet, but this only provides the option to ‘Add a VPN connection.’ This is because it is only a VPN app, so you will have to sign up for a third-party service to work properly.
You will need to jump through some more hoops to get it working. The Windows 10 VPN app requires you to set up individual connection profiles with one server address and one protocol for each. That is fine if you connect to the same couple of locations every time, but it is a real hassle if you need to switch between places quickly.
How To Set up Windows 10 Built-in VPN Service
The Windows 10 built-in VPN server is a somewhat exciting feature and one that comes with a few restrictions. These restrictions may make the process not ideal for what purpose you want a VPN service. It will get some network and port configuring on your part to get things undulating. If you can forward ports from your network router, you risk exposing Windows and the port you select for the server to malicious entry.
To help avoid such instances, you will need to consider using a different port than the default one used for PPTP. A robust password is a must and should contain a mixture of letters, numbers, and special characters.
A VPN Server
Developing a Windows 10 VPN server will take you into areas you may not be familiar with.
- Start by typing ncpa.cpl into the search bar and open Network Connections. It may appear as a Control Panel icon.
- With the Network Connection window opened, press the Alt key on your keyboard to expose the menu tabs.
- Tick the File tab to pull up the menu section and then choose New Incoming Connection.
- Select which user accounts you need to offer access to the VPN connection.
- Creating a completely new and limited user account may be intelligent from a privacy perspective. This way, you can safeguard your primary user account from potential risks. Tick Add someone and fill out username and password fields to do this.
- With the user’s selection, tick the Next button.
- Choose through the Internet. The chances are good that it is the only choice, but if you have enough dial-up hardware, that selection will be available too.
- The following window will need you to select the network protocols to allow for incoming connections.
- Only Check those protocols you want to allow access and tick Allow access.
- Access will be configured for the user’s selection and then display the required information.
Your Windows 10 VPN server is ready to go.
Configuring The Network Router
To make sure that the network router knows which type of internet traffic to send out to the correct PC, you will have to set up port forwarding. This will need you to understand how to properly forward ports on your network router. You can do this by logging into your network router’s setup page. Consider adding a port forwarding order to the network router to increase your privacy and security. One which forwards an informal external port to the internal port on your PC. A firewall is also an essential option to allow specific IP addresses access.
Creating a VPN Profile
Before you can create a VPN profile, you are going to have either your PC’s public IPs or its dynamic DNS address. The former is your network’s IP on the internet, and the latter will be available if you choose to set one up using a dynamic DNS service.
- Since TechNinjaPro focuses on Windows 10, type VPN into the search bar and choose the pop-up option.
- The best match will likely show VPN choices. Further down, you can go directly to add a VPN connection if available.
- In the Add a VPN connection window, you will have to fill out a few boxes.
- The VPN provider box should have one option: Windows (built-in).
- The Connection Name can be of your choice, and this will be what you see when you go to make the connection.
- Type the public IP or dynamic DNS address in the Server name box.
- You can keep the VPN type automatic so long as you correctly configure the port forwarding in the router. PPTP is also a practical option.
- Keep the type of sign-in information as username and password.
- Once finished, tick save.
Making The VPN Connection
Now you have the server set up, the router configured, and a VPN profile, you can finally connect to your virtual private network.
- On the taskbar, to the far-right, choose the Network icon.
- You may need to tick on the Arrowhead icon to find the network icon.
- Choose your recently created VPN profile and tick on the Connect button.
- You should be provoked for a username and password. Use the VPN profile you created for the user in the VPN server section.
- If connected, you should see ‘Connected’ below the VPN connection name.
FAQs
To set up a built-in VPN, go to Settings > Network & Internet and select VPN. You can also tick on the Windows 10 search box, type VPN, and choose VPN settings. Tick on Add a VPN connection. Change the VPN provider section to Windows 10 and fill out the rest of the form with the network administrator's information.
The Windows 10 VPN app is a perfect option. If you have signed up for a VPN, using the VPN's dedicated app makes more sense to connect and switch between servers. It is simple to use, and you will need the whole wealth of features that VPN providers made available to you.