How to Connect to a VPN in Windows 10


Whether it's for work or personal use, you can connect to a VPN (virtual private network) on your Windows 10 PC. A VPN connection can help provide a more secure connection to your network and the Internet.

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to connect to the internet via a server run by a VPN provider. A VPN extends a private network across a public network, and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. ("In the simplest terms, it creates a secure, encrypted connection, which can be thought of as a tunnel, between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service." Applications running across the VPN may therefore benefit from the functionality, security, and management of the private network.

For more information about a VPN, see:


This tutorial will show you different ways on how to connect to a VPN (virtual private network) connection in Windows 10.

Before you can connect to a VPN, you must have already added a VPN connection.


Contents







OPTION ONE

To Connect to a VPN in Settings


1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Network & Internet icon.

2 Click/tap on VPN on the left side, click/tap on the added VPN (ex: "MPN") on the right side you want to connect to, and click/tap on the Connect button. (see screenshot below)

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_settings-1.jpg

3 If prompted, enter your user name and password for the VPN, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_settings-1b.png

4 Windows 10 will now attempt to connect to the VPN. (see screenshots below)

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_settings-2.jpg Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_settings-3.jpg
Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_settings-4.jpg Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_settings-5.jpg

5 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Connect to a VPN using rasphone.exe (Remote Access Phonebook)


1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type rasphone into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Network Connections (Remote Access Phonebook).

2 Select the added VPN (ex: "MPN") you want to connect to from the drop menu, and click/tap on Connect. (see screenshot below)

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_rasphone-1.png

3 If prompted, enter your user name and password for the VPN, and click/tap on Connect. (see screenshot below)

If you like, check the Save the user name and password for the following users box to have Windows 10 automatically sign in to this VPN whenever you connect to the VPN.

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_vpn_rasphone-2.png






OPTION THREE

To Connect to a VPN in Command Prompt


1 Open a command prompt.

2 Copy and paste the PowerShell Get-VpnConnection command into the command prompt, and press Enter to see all available added VPN connections. (see screenshot below)


Make note of the Name (ex: "MPN") of the VPN you want to connect to.

Make note if RememberCredential for the VPN is True or False.

* If True, then you may not need to enter your user name and password for the VPN in the command.
* If False, then you will need to enter your user name and password for the VPN in the command.

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-get_vpn_command-1.png

3 Enter the command below you need to use into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

To see more information and usage options for the Rasdial command, see: Rasdial - Microsoft Docs


(Without user name and password credentials)
rasdial "Name"

OR

(With user name and password credentials)
rasdial "Name" "User name" "Password"

Substitute Name in the command above with the actual connection name for the VPN (ex: "MPN").

Substitute User name and Password in the command above with your actual user name and password for the VPN.

Connect to VPN in Windows 10-connect_to_vpn_command.jpg

4 When completed successfully, you can close the command prompt if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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