How to set up a VPN connection on a computer. Setting up a VPN connection using Windows OS
Required programs for windows 10 - 7
Hello Readers of my blog! In this article I will tell you about the most necessary programs for Windows 10 - 7. As you probably remember, Windows is not yet ready for use after installation. In principle, not only Windows 7, but also any 8 8.1 xp is not yet ready for work immediately after installation. Even after installing drivers and security settings, there are practically no useful and necessary programs on board your computer. Windows comes with only a few programs that are useful to the user.
These are several toys, the simplest one text editor"Notepad", advanced text editor "WordPad", calculator, Internet browser (IE-Internet Explorer), media player, "Paint" - a program for processing simple graphics, programs for PC and OS maintenance. That’s actually all that our favorite OS is rich in. With Windows 10 things are a little better. Microsoft has moved much further. And it included Skype and a student office kit. By the way, the installed IE and media player are also not ready to work. IE is partially unready because it can only view text pages and pictures. But the media player is not ready at all, since it needs codecs to play music and videos. Therefore, it is time to install necessary programs for windows. The programs that we will consider in this article, I believe, should be installed on almost every computer under Windows control 7 - 10. So let's begin.
The most necessary programs for windows 10 - 7
Archivers
1. The very first thing we must install is ARCHIVERS. On the Internet, all programs are compressed or packaged with some kind of archiver. This allows you to waste less disk space for storing information on servers and transmit packets faster over the Internet. Each PC must have at least one archiver, and preferably two. First WinRar- it works very quickly and supports the ability to unzip a large number of different popular archives. And the most important thing is its own, very specific, highly protected Rar format. No one has yet been able to decrypt the passwords set by this archiver. 
Second archiver 7-zip. Perhaps this archiver is even more necessary than the first one. You will need it to unpack archives of the new, rapidly gaining popularity, 7z format. The archiver is very fast and provides a high compression ratio. Most of the archives on the Internet that you will have to download are in zip, rar and 7z format.
If you are working with a website and need to create archives in GZIP format, then the 7-zip archiver will provide compression 2-10% better than any other archiver.
These two archivers will help you solve almost any archiving/unarchiving problem software packages received from the Internet.
Codecs
2. The second most important thing would probably be the installation of codecs for playing audio and video files of the most different formats, without which not a single audio/video player will work. Of all the great variety of different collections, perhaps the best, most stable and generally recognized is K-Lite Codec Pack. According to the developers, their brainchild supports about 400 audio/video formats. In addition, this package is absolutely free and contains a small but very high-quality player. Therefore, it would be a sin not to use it. Highly recommend. After installing this codec pack, all your audio/video players will play almost all media file formats.
Adobe Flash Player
3. Next important step there will be an installation Adobe Flash Player . This program is necessary for playing media files in browsers (Internet explorers) such as IE, Mozilla Firefox, Opera. It is already built-in in Google Chrome and Yandex browser.
Browsers
4. It will be important to install a whole set of browsers. I recommend installing all the popular ones, these are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Yandex. Why so many? Can I get by with IE (Internet Explorer from Microsoft)? No, you can't do it! Any of the suggested browsers are much better than IE. Firstly, they are increasingly faster, more stable, and make it easy to manage add-ons. Why is it necessary to install everything? The point is that they are all different and have different useful features that IE does not have. Secondly, in the event of an unexpected failure of one browser, you always have another at hand.
Google Chrome integrated with Google translator. When loading foreign pages, it can automatically translate them into Russian. Translation is often sufficient to understand the content of the pages. Google Chrome can download many files at the same time.
Mozilla Firefox It’s simply not replaceable for those who create and debug websites. Has a huge number of different useful additions, which other browsers do not have.
Opera one of the fastest browsers in the world. This is especially noticeable on slow Internet channels, when it uses multi-threaded downloading of pages and files, and additional compression of information on its server using special algorithms.
Yandex browser development from Yandex. Very similar to Google Chrome and compatible with its add-ons. Has some limitations. The latest versions of this browser are very fast. Overall a good browser.
There is a great add-on for all these browsers Neuron Search Tools- this extension provides the ability to simultaneously search for information on the Internet via Google and Yandex, and jointly conveniently display search results. Searching with this application becomes much more efficient. I highly recommend it for use.
File download managers
5. Fast, convenient and reliable downloading of files of any size from the Internet will be provided by the download manager Download Master. The program is free, Russian, and practically in no way inferior to paid foreign analogues. Provides multi-channel, fast downloading, and can resume downloading files after a connection break or power outage.
SaveFrom.net application for everyone popular browsers. Allows you to download videos from more than 20 Internet resources. Very useful application.
Google Chrome has created many obstacles for this application to work. Now SaveFrom.net installs poorly on Google Chrome, but works great from the Internet. Enjoy it for your health. No problems were found on other browsers.
If you only need YouTube to upload videos, then there is a program for this UmmyVideoDownloader. UmmyVideoDownloader is specially designed for downloading videos from YouTube. Very comfortable and high quality item.
Programs for audio/video communication
6. To communicate on the Internet you need at least Skype. There are a lot of programs for text, audio, video communication, but most people use Skype and it has features that other programs do not have. So we definitely need to install Skype. Surely you will need it.
Text editors and processors
7. We replace the poorly functional text editor from the Windows package with a more functional one AkelPad or even more advanced Notepad++(HIGHLY RECOMMEND). Notepad++ allows you to work with a large number of documents at the same time. It remembers the situation when you turn it off and restores it automatically the next time you turn it on. Allows you to follow links directly from the edited text. It is simply irreplaceable for programmers, as it recognizes code from more than 20 programming languages and helps check it for errors. Detects errors in words and highlights them. Having such an editor on every PC is simply necessary.
8. To create documents of different formats and automated tables, you will need an advanced text and spreadsheet processor like Win Word And Win Excel from the Microsoft Office package. MS OFFICE contains many more useful programs. For example, an email client, a presentation manager, a slide show... On the Internet you can find advanced packages with many additions.
File managers
9. A file manager will provide you with convenience in working with files Total Commander. It has great functionality. The menu of the vehicle itself, the menu of necessary or frequently used programs, two independent windows. Each window can open an unlimited number of tabs, has its own FTP manager, archiver, file viewer, media player.... In general, EVERYTHING is at your fingertips! An extremely convenient and useful program. I highly recommend it to everyone!
Programs for viewing PDF files
10. Foxit Phantom necessary for reading documents in PDF format. The program is 10 times smaller than its Adobe Acrobat counterpart, much faster and, in addition, allows you to edit PDF documents. I recommend. The program itself is paid, but it can be found for free on the Zver-DVD disk image. If you don’t need editing functions and don’t want to upload a huge image, then you can use the free analogue Foxit Reader or PDF Reader. There are a lot of programs in this class, but I think this will be enough.
Programs for removing locked files
11. Unlocker will help you unlock and delete locked files and folders that cannot be deleted in other ways. A couple more programs of this class that support the Russian language: LockHunter, IObit Unlocker . If, when trying to uninstall, you often encounter messages like “Uninstallation is impossible”, “Access denied”, “Used by another application”, “You do not have enough rights” and the like, then these programs will definitely help you.
Programs for downloading files from torrent servers
12. UTorrent- a reliable, fast manager for downloading files from torrent servers. A very convenient and reliable program for downloading music, movies, disk images.... Second program MediaGet Quite new, but has approximately the same functionality. Both programs are free.
Image Viewers
13. FastStone Image Viewer- an excellent, free, small, fast, lightweight program for viewing images, has the ability to edit the image file, add labels to the picture, optimizes the image code... Highly recommend!
Quickly search files on your computer
14. Everything is designed to search for files on your computer. Incredibly fast. Displays search results when you press each letter, like hints when searching on the Internet. Highlights the found combination of letters in the names of files and folders. Displays file paths. Very fast and convenient program. Free.
The necessary programs for Windows described above, in my opinion, are the most important and necessary, and are capable of meeting the needs of a wide variety of users. I believe that these programs, or at least similar ones, should be present on every computer.
Less important programs
Programs for capturing images and videos from the screen
15. FastStone Capture- takes screenshots from the monitor screen and captures video. Can record system sound or from a microphone. The program is very small and fast. Has a lot of useful little things. There are quite a lot of programs capable of efficiently performing the operation of capturing video from a monitor screen: Bandicam, HyperCam, ScreenCamera, Techsmith Snagit, UVScreen Camera, VirtualDub. They all have fairly similar functionality.
Programs in this class are all paid. Some of them have demo versions - shareware, severely stripped down with poor functionality, sometimes with inscriptions on the screen that make it difficult to watch the video.
The most important leader in this field is considered to be a highly professional Camtasia Studio. It allows you not only to capture images from the screen, but also to edit the captured videos using various effects.
Text recognition programs
16. If you have a scanner or already scanned documents or images with text, then to convert them into text format you will need a text recognition program. The best of its kind ABBYY FineReader.
Automatic Keyboard Switches
17. For those who write a lot of texts using the Latin and Cyrillic alphabet, this will be an excellent assistant Punto Switcher , which automatically switches the keyboard layout based on the words you type and corrects persistent errors. The program is absolutely free, developed by programmers from the Yandex laboratory.
Audio and video players
18. Music and video lovers will need a player Winamp, which has quite rare codecs in its package and is capable of playing recordings from video recorders and surveillance cameras, and also allows you to turn on several copies of the program at the same time, create playlists, adjust the sound timbre and much more.... Free.
There are a great variety of players: Daum PotPlayer, AIMP, BSPlayer, GOM Media Player, KMPlayer, iTunes, ComboPlayer, Ace Stream Media, VLC Media Player, 1by1, Media Player Classic Home Cinema, Light Alloy, TV Player Classic, QuickTime Alternative. They have a wide variety of functionality. Any user will be able to satisfy all their needs.
Windows Cleaners/Accelerators/Optimizers
19. CCleaner useful for quickly and easily cleaning the system from temporary files, unnecessary registry entries, etc... The program does not have the greatest functionality, but minimum required performs perfectly. Free. There are a great many similar and more powerful programs: Carambis Cleaner, AVG TuneUp, Wise Care 365, Advanced SystemCare, Glary Utilities, Auslogics BoostSpeed, Kerish Doctor, Advanced System Optimizer, System Mechanic, MAGIX PC Check & Tuning. They all have similar, but still different functionality.
If you are very concerned about the cleanliness and reliability of your Windows, then of course any one package will not be enough for you. So, as always, there are functions in other packages that you don’t have. Even just registry cleaners, everyone checks different parts of the registry and sometimes they find something like this... In general, there is a lot to choose from.
To clean the registry, along with other programs, I recommend using trashreg. This is a very small and specific program. Clears the registry of abandoned keys that many demo programs leave on the system. After such cleaning, you can install demo versions again and use their capabilities.
Recovering deleted files
Required programs for windows 10 - 7 - Power Data Recovery 20. Power Data Recovery is a simple but powerful tool for recovering deleted data. Allows you to restore:
- deleted files and folders;
- files from lost/deleted/damaged partition;
- data from a hard to read CD/DVD;
- digital media data.
I would say the program is very important, but since not everyone needs it, that’s why it’s in the second section. Here are a couple more high-quality, free representatives similar programs: Recuva, Pandora Recovery. It must be said that there are products with higher functionality, but they are paid: Hetman Partition Recovery, R-Studio, Wondershare Data Recovery.
Graphic editor
21. Adobe PhotoShop
- an unsurpassed raster graphics editor. Just necessary tool for creating, editing pictures and adjusting photos. 
Required programs for windows 10 - 7 - CorelDraw
22. CorelDraw- the best vector graphics processor. Almost irreplaceable in this area. The program is not super necessary, but is necessary for creating scalable vector images.
Programs for creating animation
23. Easy Gif Animator will be needed when creating animated pictures or videos. It has the entire arsenal of functions necessary for this. Free.
Programs for working with disk images
24. Ultra ISO will be needed by those who create images of CD/DVD discs. Works with standard ISO disk image format. Allows you to create and edit simple and bootable disk images. Uses third-party programs to burn discs, such as Burning Rum.
Programs for mounting disk images on a virtual drive
Required programs for windows 10 - 7 - Daemon Tools 25. Daemon Tools Lite allows you to mount a CD/DVD disk image onto a virtual drive, which makes it possible to see how the image will work on a real drive. The program has a fairly wide functionality: Emulation of IDE drives, Emulation of DT and SCSI drives, Mounting disk images, Creating images of physical disks, Converting and editing images, Burning disks with images, data and music. Allows you to simulate a large number of different disk copy protections. Allows you to run disc games not from DVD, but from a hard drive, which makes them work much faster. A very useful utility for gamers and those who do not write images to disks, but keep them on the computer. Free.
Postal managers or clients
Required programs for windows 10 - 7 - The Bet26. Email clients are perhaps the most important applications in modern human computer life. Most users have several accounts in different postal services. To ensure convenient management of all mail flows, mail clients have been created. I will list a dozen well-known, and perhaps the best, of the mass of email clients that are available:
The Bet- a great assistant for those who conduct active Emai correspondence. Allows you to download mail from a huge number of mailboxes and organize it into folders. Has a filter designer and much more.
Ms Outlook included in the package Microsoft programs Office. The program is very sophisticated. I would say even too much. But maybe this will all be useful to someone.
Mailbird The program is lightweight, undemanding of resources, easy to use and visually attractive.
eM Client- this email client has all the necessary basic functions.
Inky has a trial version that works for free for 14 days. It has quite extensive capabilities.
Claws Mail A rather complex application is intended for experienced users who are not afraid to configure everything manually.
Zimbra Desktop- free open source email client. Zimbra is a cross-platform solution for Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
TouchMail- a convenient email client for owners of tablets or convertible laptops.
Thunderbird from Mozilla is a unique application. The built-in extension system allows you to increase the functionality of the client using numerous tools created by the Thunderbird community.
Programs for reading DjVu files
Required programs for windows 10 - 7 - DjVu27. DjVu- This is one of the formats of scanned documents. It is usually used for storing and distributing books, manuscripts, and magazines in which there are many images, diagrams, drawings, and formulas. And also for storing scans of historical documents, when an accurate representation of the shade and texture of the paper is required, the most reliable display of all defects, page folds, manual marks and corrections, fingerprints, ink blots, etc.
You can view such files using the following programs: WinDjView, ICE Book Reader Professional, Evince Document Viewer, DjvuReader.
Programs for recording and processing sound
Required programs for windows 10 -7 - Audacity28. There are also quite a lot of such programs, but perhaps the best one would be small but powerful Audacity. The program works with a mixer built into a personal computer system, as well as external sound sources. It is designed to record audio files of unlimited size.
Allows already recorded files:
- clean from interference: hissing, static noise, hum;
- change volume;
- cut into pieces and assemble as you please;
- and also compress.
The program is used to record and process digital files. As well as digitization of obsolete sound media: records and cassettes. In addition to its own AUP format, it supports a number of popular extensions. In addition to professional functionality it's also free.
All the necessary programs for Windows 7 - 10 that we reviewed in this article are mentioned in the article "". There is one note, however. Programs present on the ZverDVD disc - more earlier versions Can be installed on any OS. Many programs located on the "Zver 2016.3 Windows 8.1 Pro x64" disk have only a 64-bit version. And accordingly, they will not work on 32-bit operating systems.
IN modern world cyberspace has become much more popular than the real world. Young people are more likely to spend time playing online games and in social networks than going for a walk or reading a book. And this is understandable - the availability of information increases awareness and overall human development. However, for some reasons, information and social resources may be blocked by providers, government agencies or the sites themselves. In this case, do not despair, since in most cases the blocking can be bypassed.
What is a VPN connection and why is it needed?
VPN (English: Virtual Private Network) is a generalized name for technologies that allow one or more network connections (logical network) to be provided over another network (for example, the Internet). Despite the fact that communications are carried out over networks with a lower or unknown level of trust (for example, over public networks), the level of trust in the constructed logical network does not depend on the level of trust in core networks through the use of cryptography tools (encryption, authentication, public key infrastructure, means to protect against repetitions and changes in messages transmitted over the logical network).
Wikipedia
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPN
To explain it in simple and understandable words, VPN is the ability to access Internet resources through other networks. In this case, several levels of channel changing are used, which means that your IP address is encrypted, and access is provided according to the following scheme: Internet - virtual network (or several virtual networks) - Internet. When using a VPN, providers “see” the connection to a certain network or server, and further requests to resources occur through an encrypted channel. Thus, data packets are returned to you regardless of blocking by the Internet provider.
When connecting to the Internet via a virtual network, the provider does not monitor traffic
The main disadvantage of a VPN is considered to be a reduction in speed while surfing and downloading files, but technology does not stand still and paid services already provide good speed communications.
How to create and configure a VPN connection on Windows 10
There are several options for setting up a VPN for Windows 10. Conventionally, they can be divided into:
- built-in (standard OS tools);
- third-party (special programs and browser extensions, as well as functions of some routers).
Creating a VPN through Windows Settings
Creating a virtual network via " Windows Settings" - this is the most labor-intensive, but at the same time the most reliable way to gain access to blocked resources. Moreover, after VPN creation it is quite easy to manage and, if necessary, change the server address:
- Press the Win+I key combination and go to the “Network and Internet” applet.
In the “Windows Settings” block, open the “Network and Internet” element - Open the VPN tab and click on the plus icon that says “Add a VPN connection.”
Click on the plus icon with the caption “Add VPN connection” - Next, fill out the form:
- We save the changes using the button of the same name.
Click on the connection and click “Connect” Open VPN servers can be found on the Internet, for example, or on a similar resource.
Video: how to create a VPN connection
How to disable or remove a VPN connection
If you no longer need a VPN or you don’t like the services provided, the created connection can be disabled or deleted:
Automatic configuration of a virtual network using special programs
Like most Windows features, creating a VPN connection has been adopted by software developers. As a result, users got a whole market with programs that simplify creating a tunnel and connecting to virtual networks. Most of them are a small window with just one button - connect/disconnect from VPN.
One such program is HideGuard VPN. Using her example, it is very easy to see how a connection to a virtual network occurs:
Setting up via router
Unfortunately, not all routers support VPN connections. To do this, the router must have DD-WRT technology, but devices that are less than four years old almost certainly have necessary firmware. The settings of routers vary, but in general, virtual network management is located in the same tabs:
VPN in browser
Instead of setting up a virtual connection for your entire computer, you can resort to partial VPN use in your browser. There are two possibilities for this:
- internal browser settings (for example, Opera has a built-in function with a good and free VPN);
- extensions in browser stores.
“Turbo” modes in some situations can also be considered virtual networks, but they only work when your browser has a low access speed to a certain address; in other cases, the function is ignored.
To enable VPN in Opera browser, you need to change your browser settings a little. To do this, press the key combination Alt+P, select “Advanced” in the menu, then “Security” and slightly scroll down the page with settings. We find the VPN column and switch the toggle switch to the working position.
Turn on the VPN by moving the corresponding toggle switch to the right position In other browsers, you can install additional extensions that will add VPN functionality to your browser:
I prefer to use a browser-based VPN, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, for most extensions you can set exceptions in the operation of the virtual network, and this provides huge advantages, for example, applying the service to only one or two sites. For the rest of the Internet, the original connection will be used. Secondly, when downloading files through applications and exchangers, the traffic will not exceed the amount of information received, since packets are often “lost” when passing dozens of nodes in the virtual network. And besides, I always value connection speed, and a virtual network, even a paid and fastest one, will slow down data transfer, which is unacceptable in some cases.
Video: how to install VPN in Chrome, Opera, Mozila browsers
Using a VPN on a Windows 10 computer is very easy. By standard means can be created and configured virtual connection. If necessary, it can be quickly removed or temporarily disabled.
The use of VPN networks in our time has become an integral part of working with the Internet. A variety of virtual private network technologies and specifications are used by both huge international corporations and individual users. Some providers even provide Internet services based on VPN servers. One way or another, connecting to existing ones or setting up your own VPNs is not difficult, but very necessary. Everything connected with it is clearly illustrated by example. Windows systems 7.
What is a VPN connection
VPN (English acronym for “virtual private network”) is the common name for several technologies that allow you to create network connections on top of existing ones. VPNs are often used in closely held corporations to restrict access to the corporate network. Thus, an internal network is created based on an existing external network(most often - the Internet).
A simplified diagram-icon symbolizing a VPN connection
Thus, data exchange is carried out using Internet technologies, while the corporate network (VPN) has closed access only for employees. Moreover, employees may be located in different parts of the world. “Closed” access is achieved through cryptographic technologies such as encryption, authentication and/or public key infrastructure.
The general structure of a VPN is shown in the figure below.
The diagram shows what a VPN structure typically looks like using lines and icons
So, two regional branches, the main office, as well as individual employees are connected to shared network. At the same time, the connection between them is carried out through Internet technologies, and information security tools make it possible to limit the access of unauthorized users or completely close it.
For an individual user, VPN technology can also be useful for personal purposes. For example, if you connect to a remote VPN server, you can bypass the geographic restrictions of some web resources. That is, pretend that you are in another country. In addition, the user's location is hidden in the same way. These actions are not limited by law, but access to some sites is prohibited for such networks.
In addition to the examples above, VPN is now used by some providers to connect users into groups. This allows you to connect multiple computers to the same IP address. Thus, savings are made on renting Internet addresses, which means the cost of connection services drops. At the same time, data transmitted by users remains encrypted.
How to connect and configure VPN services on Windows 7
Setting up a VPN connection on Windows 7 is quite simple. You don't need any additional software. Just follow the instructions.
- First of all, go to Network and Sharing Center shared access": Open Start and select Control Panel. In the open window you will see a button to enter the “Center...”. Select "Set up a new connection...".
In the Network and Sharing Center, click "Set up a new connection or network" - From the list, select “Connect to a workplace.” This paragraph contains settings for the VPN connection.
Select “Workplace Connection” from the list of network connection options - The program will ask: “How to connect?” In our case, we need to choose the first option. Then click Next. By the way, in this window you can view Microsoft's VPN data (click the link at the bottom of the screen).
When asked how to connect, select "Use my Internet connection (VPN)" - A window will appear in front of you to fill in your connection information. In the “Internet address” line, you must specify a link to the VPN server. You can find this out from your provider and/or administrator. You can enter any “Destination Name”. In addition, you need to check the box next to “Don’t connect now...”. When everything is ready, click “Next”.
Enter the required VPN connection information: Internet address, destination name. These can be obtained from your provider. - Go to the Network tab. Here, uncheck the “Internet Protocol Version 6...” option to increase data transfer speeds, because most likely it is not used on your VPN server (unless specified otherwise). Now single-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4...” and select its “Properties”.
Click "Properties" with the cursor over "Internet Protocol Version 4..." - In the window that opens, select “Advanced...” You should not change the DNS server addresses here, as we will set them next to match your VPN.
Click “Advanced...” to go to additional. menu - In all previously opened windows, click “OK”. The VPN connection is ready to use! You can launch it from the “Desktop” if you created a shortcut earlier.
Now you need to enter your username and password to connect to the VPN network. If you are not sure if they are correct, contact your administrator (provider). In addition, for easy access to the VPN server, you can specify its domain. If you are simply setting up an Internet connection to your ISP, leave the field blank. Now click the “Create” button. 
Enter your username and password in the appropriate fields when connecting to your workplace
A message appears indicating that the connection is ready. Just click "Close".
Close the VPN Ready message box
In the “Center…” window that opened earlier, click on “Change adapter settings.”
In the Network and Sharing Center, click on “Change adapter settings”
A window will open in front of you, which contains information about available connections. The newly created connection is named as the “Destination Name” you specified earlier. Right-click on it. If you want, you can create a shortcut for this connection on your desktop. This will make it easier to access the network. Then select Properties: There are a few things you need to change before you can start using the VPN.
Create a connection shortcut if you want and then go into its properties
Now be careful. In the small “Properties” window of your connection, switch to the “Security” tab. Select the type of VPN network, which depends on the specifics of it. Contact your administrator or provider for this information. For example, if you want to connect to some remote server, the connection type is usually “PPTP”. But this is just an example. Be sure to check the correct choice.
Select the appropriate VPN network type; if you don't know it, contact your ISP or administrator
Please note that on the same tab there is a drop-down list “Data encryption”. You can choose the item that suits you personally. But this does not guarantee uninterrupted operation of the connection. Such data should also be clarified with the administrator.
In the window " Additional parameters TCP/IP” on the “IP Settings” tab, uncheck the words “Use the default gateway on the remote network”. If this is not done, Internet traffic will pass through the VPN server, which will reduce the data transfer speed. 
Uncheck "Use the default gateway on the remote network" to increase connection speed
If you are just connecting to a remote server, go to the DNS tab. In the “DNS connection suffix” column, enter the suffix provided by the administrator. This way, you don't have to enter it every time to go to a specific site.
Video: how to install and connect to a VPN in Windows 7
Possible connection problems
There are a number of errors that can cause your VPN connection to not work or not work properly. But before we move on to their descriptions, let’s look at the most common problem: when you turn on the VPN, the Internet connection disappears.
What to do if the Internet connection disappears after startup
This problem is relevant if you are connecting to a certain server, and not to the provider. It doesn’t matter how you are connected to the Internet (cord, Wi-Fi, another VPN), the connection drops for the same reason. And restoring it is quite simple.
As we indicated above, enabling this option may slow down the speed of your Internet connection, since traffic will pass through the VPN server. If the connection is completely lost, it means that the gateway to the server is closed. remote connections. After unchecking the box, the Internet will work again.
VPN connection problems and their solutions
Errors when trying to automatically connect to a VPN connection are numbered with a three-digit number - an error code. This code appears in separate window, as shown in the screenshot.
VPN connection error window; in this case, error 807 popped up
Here are ways to correct the most common errors.
400 Bad Request
This error means that the request from your computer contains some information incorrectly.
- Try turning off all additional network programs.
- Refresh your browser and reset its settings.
Error 624
Error 691
This error can have many causes, but they are all similar to some extent. So, it appears if you have not paid for the services to the provider, entered an incorrect login or password, incorrectly specified any VPN connection settings, or the connection has already been established. One way or another, check all the entered data in the connection properties or simply create it again, as we did above.
Error 800
This error indicates that there are problems with the VPN server itself. Perhaps it receives too many requests that it does not have time to process, or there is a load directly on your virtual network segment. In this case, you can only report the problem to the server provider/administrator and wait for a solution from them.
Error 800 means the VPN server is overloaded
Error 650
If this error occurs, you need to check the health of your equipment: network card and cable. To do this, it is better to call a specialist. Before doing this, go to “Properties: Internet Protocol Version 4...” (see the item “What should I do if the Internet connection is lost after turning on the VPN?”) and set the switch to “Obtain an IP address automatically.”
Enable automatic IP address selection
Thus, the server itself will provide you with an IP address from the list of available ones with each new connection.
Error 735
The appearance of error 735 indicates that the VPN connection is configured incorrectly. Most likely, a specific IP address is specified. Set it to be selected automatically, as in the case of error 650.
Error 789
In this case, you need to enter the properties of the VPN connection and go to the “Security” tab (we have already described how to do this earlier). From the VPN Type drop-down list, select Automatic. This will solve the problem.
Set VPN type to auto-select to check network health
Other errors
In addition to the above, there are many other local errors. If you are an advanced user, sometimes you can solve them yourself (for example, open some ports in the firewall so that the server works), but most often they must be resolved by your ISP or server administrator. The only thing you can do is to go through all the points we suggested and check that the VPN connection is configured correctly. If the connection worked before, but is now lost, the problem is definitely on the server side.
How to disable automatic VPN connection
Sometimes you may need to disable your VPN connection for a while. For example, to connect to another network or check the possibility of reconnection. To do this, go to Control Panel from the Start menu. Open the list of settings “Network and Internet” -> “Network Center...”. Click on "Change adapter settings" on the left. Your connection will be displayed in the window. Right-click on it and select Disable.
To disable VPN, select the appropriate context menu item
Additionally, once disconnected, you can remove the VPN connection completely. This is necessary if you have configured it incorrectly or you no longer need it. Just click "Delete" in the same context menu.
Creating and masking your own connection
In this section we will talk about the possibilities of masking a VPN connection for the average user. This may be needed in different cases. For example, if you want to create your own small server to control your home computer from your work computer, which would be maximally protected from outsiders. Or you need to mask your IP address through a remote VPN server to gain access to online sites and stores in other countries.
How to create a VPN network using the OpenVPN client
If you want to create a personal small VPN network or connect to a geographically distant server, you will need the OpenVPN program and configuration files from your provider. These files should be selected according to your purposes. Please note that the VPN provider may have nothing to do with your Internet Service Provider. VPN services are paid.
- Download the OpenVPN installer from the developer's website. After downloading, run the installer (all actions on the computer must be performed as an administrator) and click Next.
A program downloaded from other sites may turn out to be a fake or even a dangerous virus.
Click "Next" to begin the OpenVPN installation - Check out user agreement and click I Agree.
Click the I agree button after reading the documentation
A list of components to be installed will appear in the installer window. Without changing anything in it, click Next.
Without changing anything in the list of installed components, click Next
Specify the desired path to the OpenVPN program and click Install to begin installation.
Select the desired path to the program and click Install
When installing the program, Windows will ask for permission to install the driver because OpenVPN creates a virtual device. Just click “Install” in the window that appears.
Install the driver virtual device, without it OpenVPN will not work
Once the installation is complete, click Next and then Finish. 
Once the installation is complete, click Next, then Finish
Now you need to copy the files provided by your VPN provider to special folder OpenVPN programs. Follow the path […]OpenVPN\config (here “[…]” is the program path you selected during installation), right-click and click on “Paste”.
Paste the provider files into the config folder
Go to the Start menu and find OpenVPN under All Programs. Right-click on the OpenVPN GUI file and select its Properties.
Enter OpenVPN GUI properties
Switch to the "Compatibility" tab and make sure that the "Run this program as an administrator" checkbox is checked. Otherwise it won't work.
Make sure that the OpenVPN GUI program will be run as administrator
After clicking OK, launch OpenVPN GUI from the Start menu. The program icon will appear in the notification area on the taskbar. Right-click on it and select Connect.
Right-click on the program icon and click Connect to launch
The program will start and a log of connection data will appear on the screen.
This window provides information about the VPN server startup
Now you can click the Hide button to hide this window. A message will appear on the taskbar indicating a successful connection and the IP address assigned to you.
Successful connection message
Your VPN connection is ready to use!
Video: detailed OpenVPN setup for advanced users
Masking a VPN connection using Obfsproxy
Now your VPN connection is ready to use. Now let's move on directly to his disguise. The Obfsproxy program will help you cope with this task best.
The steps involved in installing Obfsproxy require basic programming and administration knowledge.
This program is created on the basis of Linux systems for multi-level encryption of transmitted data. The full cryptographic algorithms, of course, are kept secret, however, Obfsproxy has proven itself to be excellent among both advanced administrators and ordinary users. Therefore, its use guarantees complete isolation and protection of information transmitted over the VPN network.
As we already said, Obfsproxy is developed on Linux. Therefore, to use it on Windows 7, you will need a Python compiler. You can download it from the official website of the Python Software Foundation. The recommended version is 2.7.13.
Install Python on your computerIn addition, you will need a Visual C++ compiler for Python. You can download it from the Microsoft website. It's called something like this: Microsoft Visual C++ Compiler for Python 2.7. Please note that the compiler version (2.7) must be the same as the Python version (2.7.13). Install the program to any folder on the C:\ drive.
Install Microsoft Visual C++ Compiler for Python 2.7
Install OpenSSL Light v1.0.2d
Then it's a matter of little things. Run command line As Administrator: From the Start menu, type cmd in the search bar, right-click and select Run as Administrator. 
Run Command Prompt as Administrator
Type into the command prompt window following commands in the given sequence (after entering each command, press Enter):
Run OpenVPN as administratorYou must run the first and fourth commands from the list before each launch of OpenVPN. In this case, you do not need to close the command line, otherwise obfsproxy will not work.
Your VPN connection is now secure and camouflaged!
As you can see, working with a VPN is not that difficult. Any user with minimal knowledge can not only connect to an existing network, but even create his own. Besides, cryptographic protection personal data, it turns out, is also available to everyone. The main thing is to be vigilant when connecting to the traffic of foreign servers. After all, any actions performed by their administrators will be governed by the laws of the country in which the server is located.
Every day the Internet is growing rapidly, the number of users is increasing. Then providers begin to offer us to use VPN technology. Indeed, this connection has a lot of advantages, but there are practically no disadvantages, we will talk about this below. In this article we will look at how to set up a VPN connection and why it is needed.
What is a VPN server
VPN is an abbreviation for English language, which translates to “Private Virtual Network.” It is important to know that VPN technologies are used on top of an already installed local or Internet network. They easily connect all computers into one unified system. The most important and important advantage of VPN is the excellent protection of transmitted data, which is ensured through code encryption.
If computers have physical access to each other, which is provided through a connection via a network cable or wi-fi, then a vpn server must be installed. Don’t worry, a regular computer or laptop is perfect for this role. True, you will have to install the necessary software.
The task of the vpn server is to manage and configure the connection between the virtual network and the child machine.
On computers or, more simply put, machines, you will need to install a VPN Connection. This process can be simplified and written as follows: setup and installation vpn name server, record the address and password, which will be useful for a successful connection. The trouble is that there are many different operating systems, and, accordingly, the settings are different everywhere. Let's look at the most popular options in more detail.
How to set up a VPN connection in Win XP
How to set up a VPN connection
Execute the following instructions:
- Click on the “Start” button, which is located in the lower left corner of the screen. Go to “Settings”, then “Control Panel” and click on the “Network Connections” shortcut.
- You need to find the “Network tasks” section, here select “Create a connection”
- You can read the setup assistant’s greeting and click “Next”.
- Here, select “Connect to a network at your workplace” and click “Next”.
- The item “Connect to virtual. networks”, and again “Next”.
- It's time to write a little, come up with and enter a name for the future network.
- Now it's time to use the phone. Dial your provider's number and find out the VPN server address. After this, put the phone aside and write down the data received.
- Finish the work; it is advisable to select the item where the installer offers to create a shortcut on the desktop.
After creating the network, the computer should automatically connect you to it. If this does not happen, then do it manually. Don't forget that the created connection can be completely edited and changed.
How to set up VPN on Win 7
More and more people are switching from win xp to win 7, and only the most faithful remain. This is not surprising, time passes, technologies change, and people are drawn to something more advanced and simpler.
To create a connection on this operating system, you only need to follow the instructions below. The main part of the process is practically the same as previous version, but still there are small changes.
vpn server
- Go to Network and Sharing Center. To do this, click on the “Start” button, then select “Control Panel”.
- Select "Connection setup".
- You are interested in the “Connect to a workplace” item, click “Next”.
- The system will ask you a question that must be answered as follows: “No, create new network", click on the "Next" link.
- Select the "Use my connection" section. We will have to work with the connection itself later, so click on the “postpone decision” button.
- In the address field we enter the relevant information that we learned from our provider in advance. After this, call the connection by any name you like.
- Pay special attention to the next paragraph, which configures access for other users. If you want to allow other people to use this connection, select “Allow”, otherwise select “Deny”.
- Click "Create".
That's all, now you know how to set up a VPN server on Win 7. For convenience, you can install a shortcut with the connection in the panel quick launch or on the desktop. To do this, right-click on the shortcut and click on “Create Shortcut”, then select it and move it to the desired location.
To connect to a new connection, double-click on the shortcut, or right-click on it and select “Open”.
You can also simplify your future work and select the “Save password and login” option. This way you won't have to enter your personal information all the time.
On first launch vpn systems connections you can select your location. If you click on the item “ Public place", you will receive additional protection from the win 7 system.
Similar to the win xp system, the seven offers you to make any settings and changes to the system. You can change your password, name and other settings. To do this, right-click on the connection shortcut and select “Properties”.
How to set up VPN and Android OS
Perhaps one article is not enough to describe all the advantages of this operating system. But in our lesson we are discussing a completely different topic, so we will not deviate from the course. So, to make all the settings, you need to do the following:
- Open the settings tab, then select “Manage wireless networks”. Here, pay attention to the VPN settings and click on “Add VPN”.
- Confirm your actions and add “PPTP VPN”.
- As usual, you will have to give the new connection a name, then specify the server address (we found it out from the provider) and save all changes.
- All that remains is to connect to the network; to do this, double-click on the shortcut.
- In the window that appears, enter your personal data - password and login.
Now you know how to set up VPN on Android. It is worth mentioning that here you can make any settings and changes. You can also create a shortcut for convenience, save your personal data and auto-load of this connection.
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How to use a VPN on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
VPN is a feature available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that allows you to replace the device's IP address when accessing the Internet. There are several ways to use it.
Why do you need a VPN?
Using a VPN leads to the fact that when you access the Internet, all sites and other objects requesting your IP will receive not your individual number, which records from which location you are accessing the network, but another one, tied to another location or another country .
This function can be useful in cases where you need to access a site that is blocked in your country, or log into any resource blocked by the settings of the Wi-Fi network through which the connection is made. VPN provides anonymity, that is, no one will know that it was from your device that you entered a particular Internet resource.
That is, if you are, for example, in Russia, then with the help of a VPN you can set an IP for your connection, thanks to which it will be displayed everywhere that you are, for example, in Italy.
The use of VPN is officially prohibited in Russia.
How to use a VPN
On iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, there are two ways to use VPN services: through the device's built-in settings or through a third-party application.
Using VPN through built-in settings
To use this method, you will have to find a site that provides VPN services in advance and create an account on it.
Video: VPN setup by means of the system
Using a VPN through a third-party app
There are many programs that provide a VPN connection. One of the best is Betternet, it can be installed for free from App Store. To connect and disconnect a VPN you only need to press one button, and the time you can use the VPN is not limited. That is, you don’t have to manually enter settings, create accounts or use any other additional services. Just install the application, go into it and press the Connect button to connect and Disconnect to disconnect.
Connecting or disconnecting from a VPN via Betternet You can also choose which country the VPN will link you to.
Choose VPN server via Betternet Video: Setting up a VPN with Betternet
What to do if the VPN icon disappears
If the device is connected to the network via VPN, an icon will indicate this in the top notification bar. The disappearance of this icon means that you are still connected to the Internet, but redirection via the VPN has ended. That is, the VPN connection is interrupted; it may deactivate on its own due to an unstable Internet connection or problems with the server providing VPN services. In this case, you must manually reconnect to the VPN using one of the methods described above. You may have to reboot the device first, and only then perform reconnection.
VPN icon in notification bar What to do if VPN doesn't work
A VPN connection may not work for two reasons: an unstable Internet connection or a problem with the server that provides VPN services. First, check whether your connection to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi network is stable. Secondly, check the correctness of the entered settings if you used the first method described above, or install any other application other than the one described above in the second method, if you used it.
The best way to get rid of the VPN connection problem is to choose a different service or application. The main thing is to choose a VPN that will work in your area.
A VPN allows you to use services that are blocked in your area. You can use it through the settings of your Apple device or a third-party application.
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VPN - what is it, how to create a connection to a free virtual server and configure the connection
A Virtual Private Network is a virtual private network that is used to provide secure connections within corporate connections and Internet access. The main advantage of a VPN is high security due to the encryption of internal traffic, which is important when transferring data.
What is a VPN connection
Many people, when they come across this abbreviation, ask: VPN – what is it and why is it needed? This technology opens up the possibility of creating a network connection on top of another. VPN works in several modes:
- node-network;
- network-network;
- node-node.
Organizing a private virtual network at network levels allows you to use TCP and UDP protocols. All data that passes through computers is encrypted. This is additional protection for your connection. There are many examples that explain what a VPN connection is and why you should use it. This issue will be discussed in detail below.
Each provider is able to provide user activity logs upon request from the relevant authorities. Your internet company records every activity you do online. This helps relieve the provider of any responsibility for the actions carried out by the client. There are many situations in which you need to protect your data and gain freedom, for example:
- The VPN service is used to send confidential company data between branches. This helps protect important information from interception.
- If you need to bypass the service's geographic location. For example, the Yandex Music service is available only to residents of Russia and residents of the former CIS countries. If you are a Russian-speaking resident of the United States, then you will not be able to listen to the recordings. A VPN service will help you circumvent this ban by replacing the network address with a Russian one.
- Hide website visits from your provider. Not every person is ready to share their activities on the Internet, so they will protect their visits using a VPN.
How VPN works
When you use another VPN channel, your IP will belong to the country where this secure network is located. When connected, a tunnel will be created between the VPN server and your computer. After this, the provider’s logs (records) will contain a set of incomprehensible characters. Data analysis special program will not give results. If you do not use this technology, the HTTP protocol will immediately indicate which site you are connecting to.
VPN structure
This connection consists of two parts. The first is called an “internal” network; you can create several of these. The second is the “external” one, through which an encapsulated connection occurs; as a rule, the Internet is used. It is also possible to connect to the network of a separate computer. The user is connected to a specific VPN through an access server connected simultaneously to the external and internal networks.
When a VPN program connects a remote user, the server requires two important processes to go through: first identification, then authentication. This is necessary to obtain the rights to use this connection. If you have fully completed these two steps, your network is empowered, which opens up the possibility of work. In essence, this is an authorization process.
VPN classification
There are several types of virtual private networks. There are options for the degree of security, implementation method, level of operation according to the ISO/OSI model, and the protocol involved. Can be used paid access or free VPN service from Google. Based on the degree of security, channels can be “secure” or “trusted”. The latter are needed if the connection itself has the right level protection. To organize the first option, the following technologies should be used:
How to create a VPN server
For all computer users, there is a way to connect a VPN yourself. Below we will consider the option on the Windows operating system. This instruction does not provide for the use of additional software. The setup is carried out as follows:
- To make a new connection, you need to open the network access viewing panel. Start typing the words “Network connections” into the search.
- Press the “Alt” button, click on the “File” section in the menu and select “New incoming connection”.
- Then set up a user who will be given a connection to this computer via VPN (if you only have one account on your PC, you will need to create a password for it). Check the box and click “Next”.
- Next, you will be asked to select a connection type; you can leave a checkmark next to “Internet”.
- The next step is to enable network protocols that will work on this VPN. Check all the boxes except the second one. If desired, you can set a specific IP, DNS gateways and ports in the IPv4 protocol, but it is easier to leave the assignment automatic.
- When you click on the “Allow access” button, the operating system will automatically create a server and display a window with the computer name. You will need it for connection.
- This completes the creation of a home VPN server.
How to set up a VPN on Android
The method described above is how to create a VPN connection on personal computer. However, many have long been doing everything using their phone. If you don’t know what a VPN is on Android, then all the facts described above about this type of connection are also true for a smartphone. The configuration of modern devices ensures comfortable use of the Internet on high speed. In some cases (to run games, open websites), proxy substitutions or anonymizers are used, but for a stable and fast connection, a VPN is better suited.
If you already understand what a VPN on a phone is, then you can proceed directly to creating a tunnel. This can be done on any device that supports Android. The connection is made as follows:
- Go to the settings section, click on the “Network” section.
- Find the item called “Advanced Settings” and go to the “VPN” section. Next, you will need a PIN code or password that will unlock the ability to create a network.
- The next step is to add a VPN connection. Specify the name in the “Server” field, the name in the “username” field, set the connection type. Click on the “Save” button.
- After this, a new connection will appear in the list, which you can use to change your standard connection.
- An icon will appear on the screen indicating that there is a connection. If you tap on it, you will be provided with statistics of received/transmitted data. You can also disable the VPN connection here.
Video: Free VPN service
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How to enable Opera VPN: instructions for PC and smartphones (2017)
Let's look at how to quickly enable it in the browser Opera mode VPN to stay anonymous online.
This technology allows you not only to hide your location, but also to protect all data that is transmitted and processed during the session.
Only after connecting to a private network is it better to log in to social networks, enter logins and passwords and make transactions via the Internet. Most often, technology is important for users not so much for data protection as for opening access to blocked sites and services.
Contents:
Browser developers have created a built-in system for protecting user data. The network can now be activated without downloading additional programs and browser extensions.
The user simply needs to activate the mode and continue to use sites as usual.
Before using the mode, make sure that the following requirements are met:
- Opera 40 or a newer version of the browser is installed on your computer. Older versions of the program do not support the built-in VPN mode. Download latest version Opera is available for free on the developer's official website;
- All programs that create a private data exchange network are disabled in the operating system and other browsers. Enabling several VPNs at once does not make sense and may cause traffic failure.
To enable it in the desktop version, follow the instructions:
- Open the browser and click on the “Settings” item in the main menu tab or press the key combination Alt+P;
Fig.2 – main browser window
- In the window that opens, find the security settings tab and select it;
- On the right side of the window, check the “VPN” checkbox to activate the virtual private network.
Fig. 3 - activating a private network using built-in browser functions
After enabling the option, the Internet connection speed may drop by an average of 20%-30%. This is due to the fact that all user requests are first sent not to the provider, but to a remote server, which requires additional time.
The provider of the proxy server for the built-in VPN is SurfEasy Inc.
When it comes to installing a VPN on Windows, there are several paths to take. You can download your provider’s application specifically, you can install a third-party OpenVPN application, or you can use dial-up to configure everything manually.
Installing a VPN on Windows is a very easy process and will not take more than a few minutes. We will explain each of the three methods so that by the end of the article, you will be able to surf the web safely, even if someone is spying on your online activity.
What you will need
You'll need an account from your provider, so be sure to set one up before you begin. The VPN company may ask you for confirmation via email, so be sure to do this.
If you're not yet ready to upgrade to a paid subscription, then most VPN providers will offer a free trial period, which is also great for getting started. ExpressVPN offers a 7-day trial. To do this, you need to register through the app and not through the website.
We will show the installation process on Windows 10. This article was written under Windows 10 Home. If you have a different version of OS installed, then you have nothing to worry about. Try installing the software using Method 1 (below), and then we'll move on to a little more difficult ones.
Method 1: VPN provider software
All popular VPN service providers provide a dedicated application for Windows. Using apps like this is usually the fastest way to connect your devices. You will also have access to all servers at once without additional settings everyone.
In our example, we are using ExpressVPN as an example, however, the installation process is not much different from other providers, so you should just take the gist from the screenshots included here. If you still couldn’t, then your provider’s technical support will help you.
So, let's begin:
- Download the installer from your provider's website. If you have an activation code, copy it to your clipboard.
- Double click on the installer. Next, give permission to the application to make changes to the system.
- Click "Sign In"
- Paste the activation code that you copied above in step 1. If you don’t have it, we advise you to return to the provider’s website and do a good search.
- Click on "Sign In" again.
- Click Allow if you want ExpressVPN to start when you turn on your computer. This option is optional, but can be very useful.
- Click Allow if you would like to share crash information and other technical information. If you are very concerned about your privacy, then click on Don’t Allow to skip the step.
- Click the big round button to connect to the location that ExpressVPN Smart Location has selected.
Using a special application when installing a VPN on Windows provides superior protection, speed and ease of access to some useful features:
- Click the Choose Location button on the connection screen to easily switch between the servers that ExpressVPN provides. All information about connections is already preinstalled in the application, so you do not need to download it additionally.
- A network lock or Killswitch prevents your computer from accessing the Internet if the VPN connection is lost. This will protect you from accidentally neglecting the VPN. You can find the switch by clicking on the burger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner and then clicking on Options.
There is another useful feature on the screen. If you want all your computers and printers to have access to your network, then check the box next to Allow access to local network devices such as network shares or printers
This comes in handy when you are using a VPN on an office network or in a business center while traveling. Your internet traffic is still tunneled, but you can access your local network if you need it. This is the only option you need to change to get your VPN to work the way you want it to.
Method 2: OpenVPN
Your provider's app should work well. But alternatively you can use OpenVPN which is third party application open source. This means that the code of this application is available to anyone who wants to study it. This fact gives a little confidence in the security of this application.
OpenVPN is an extremely minimalist program; it doesn’t even have an interface. Most settings are done through the tray, which is hidden behind the arrow in the lower right corner of your screen.
Here's how to quickly get to grips with your VPN. We're using ExpressVPN again, but the steps are similar for most providers:
- Download OpenVPN software from the OpenVPN website https://openvpn.net. Don’t forget to check the site address, its security and other nuances before downloading. The fastest and easiest option is the installer file.
- Double click on the downloaded file to begin the installation.
- Click Next.
- Review the terms of the agreement, and if you are happy, click agree.
- Custom installation is available on the feature selection screen. As shown by default on the screen, this build works great. Click “Next”.
- Select the installation path. Again, the default path is fine. So you shouldn't change it without good reason. Click “Install”.
The installation process may stop and ask you to install TAP. This is a natural part of a VPN connection, so you don't have to worry about it. Click "Install".
Note: If you click "Don't install", your OpenVPN connection may not work.
Completing the installation:- Once the installation is complete, a corresponding message will appear in the installation log window. Click Next.
- Installation completed. The last window will present an option that will optionally show you a ReadMe text file. It contains brief information. If you don’t want to open it, just uncheck the box before clicking “Finish.”
At this step, you need to log into your provider account on the site. You should find the OpenVPN connection details and accompanying files.
Here's a screenshot of what you should look for in ExpressVPN, for example. To find this, click Set up ExpressVPN on all your devices, then Manual config. Make sure OpenVPN is selected on the right side.
Scroll down a little and you will find the necessary information: the username and password for your OpenVPN connection, as well as a list of available servers. Each location has a special downloadable file called a configuration file. You need to download at least one of them. If you are not sure which one you want to download, we recommend choosing the one that is closest to you.
We continue the process:- Find the files you just downloaded and move them to C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config
- Go to the OpenVPN GUI, which is located in your startup menu. You should also have a shortcut on your desktop. Launch from wherever is convenient.
- In the tray you will find a small OpenVPN icon; right-click on it and you will see the name of the configuration file(s) that you moved to the desired folder. Move the cursor a little to the right and click “Connect” in the menu that appears.
- You will be asked for a username and password. Return to your browser and copy the input data from the OpenVPN setup page. Don't use the credentials you use to log into a website, that's different.
- Click OK.
The tray icon is lit green, this means we are connected. To view the connection status, just hold the cursor over the icon and right-click to disconnect.
Method 3: Manual setup using Dialer
In our connection example via manual setting We are using Windows 10. This method does not require downloading any VPN software. Instead, we use L2TP/IPSec using Dialer.
In others Windows versions and for other providers the requirements will differ from step to step. But you must understand the main idea of the whole process.- Log in to the ExpressVPN website. Click Set up ExpressVPN on all your devices, then Manual Config. Now on the right side, select and click the PPTP & L2TP-IPSec button.
- Scroll down, skip the username and password, and the list of servers. Below them you will find a button that says Download Windows Dialers. Click on it and keep your browser open.
- Locate and extract the zip file to a folder.
- Find the file called ExpressVPN Windows L2TP and double click on it.
- After a short pause you will see a window network connection. Click on Properties.
- Go to the Security tab and make sure that the Microsoft CHAP Version 2 checkbox is checked. It is checked by default, but this is a very important item, so it’s better to double-check.
- Once verified, you should select the encryption level you prefer. Select Optional…, Require encryption…, or Maximum strength. Just don't select "No encryption allowed..." because this will break your connection.
- Click on the Advanced settings button, which is located directly above the drop-down list of encryption levels. In the pre-shared key field, write 12345678 and click OK.
- Click OK again to close the Properties window.
You should be returned to the Network Connections window. All available servers are shown in the drop-down list. Select one below to test your connection. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, but it’s still better to start checking with the one that is closer to you geographically to know for sure that everything works.
The last step is to fill in the login details for L2TP. This data is located in your open browser.
Click "Connect" to make sure everything is working. That's all!
Need more help?
If the connection fails, the best thing to do is take a few steps back and try the easiest method: opening your provider's app. If everything works, it means you configured something wrong somewhere in OpenVPN or in the settings manually.
If your provider's application does not work, then perhaps you forgot to confirm your account. Check your email for emails with verification links. If you still have no luck, then contact their technical support department, this is the easiest way to get the information you need.
- Select the installation path. Again, the default path is fine. So you shouldn't change it without good reason. Click “Install”.
- Custom installation is available on the feature selection screen. As shown by default on the screen, this build works great. Click “Next”.
- Review the terms of the agreement, and if you are happy, click agree.