How to Disconnect 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 disconnect a VPN (virtual private network) connection in Windows 10.


Contents







OPTION ONE

To Disconnect 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 connected VPN (ex: "MPN") on the right side you want to disconnect, and click/tap on the Disconnect button. (see screenshot below)

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

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_settings.jpg





OPTION TWO

To Disconnect a VPN in Network Connections


1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Network and Sharing Center icon.

2 Click/tap on the Change adapter settings link on the left side of Network and Sharing Center. (see screenshot below)

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_in_network_connections-1.jpg

3 Click/tap on the connected VPN (ex: "MPN") you want to disconnect. (see screenshot below)

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_in_network_connections-2.jpg

4 Click/tap on Disconnect. (see screenshot below)

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_in_network_connections-3.jpg






OPTION THREE

To Disconnect 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 connected VPN (ex: "MPN") you want to disconnect from the drop menu, and click/tap on Hang Up. (see screenshot below)

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_rasphone-1.png

3 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_rasphone-2.png






OPTION FOUR

To Disconnect a VPN in Command Prompt


1 Open a command prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter to see details about all available added VPN connections. (see screenshots below)

PowerShell Get-VpnConnection

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

Make note if ConnectionStatus for the VPN is currently Connected or Disconnected.

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-get_vpn_command-1.png Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-get_vpn_command-2.png

3 Type the command below you want to use into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

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


rasdial "Name" /disconnect

OR

rasphone -H "Name"

Substitute Name in the command above with the actual name of the connected VPN (ex: "MPN") you want to disconnect.

For example:

rasdial "MPN" /disconnect

OR

rasphone -H "MPN"

Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_command.png Disconnect VPN in Windows 10-disconnect_vpn_command-2.png


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


That's it,
Shawn


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