How to set up a VPN server on Windows 10

Internet is something that is highly vulnerable for most of the audience currently over the net. There are a lot of different reasons for which you might be thinking to get a VPN server setup on your Windows 10 device some of which might include reasons related to privacy, or maybe your internet service provider which have actually blocked some of the websites. VPN is actually an encrypted connection which helps you to send and receive private information anonymously.

Usually companies use VPNs to extend the private network with the employees so that they can also go through the resources without directly connecting over to their network. This does works like you are connected to the company’s network while you are using it through a public network such as your phone’s hotspot. Most of the operating system comes with option to configure a VPN server as this is the most common network setting which is required by the user.

Today we are going to look after the step by step guide where you will be able to connect your Windows 10 system without the need of any other software, to the VPN server. There are two main things that you need to follow before you can start with the setup they include knowing  your IP address which can easily be done via the Google Search Engine, another important thing is to forward your router’s 1723 port which you can easily get to know via the router’s manufacturer’s website.

Setting up VPN Server on Windows 10

Now let us start with the procedure to setup a VPN server on Windows 10

Open Network and Sharing Center, either by heading to Control Panel or by the Network and Sharing Center icon on the desktop.

Select the Change Adapter Settings which you can find in the left pane of the window.

In the Network Connections tab open the file menu (if you doesn’t find the file menu then use the Alt key to make the bar visible) and select the New Incoming Connection option.

Now you will have a Pop – up box where you can select the users who will actually be using the VPN Access, you can either provide it to all users or only to some selected users. There is also an option to provide the VPN Access to only a single user which you can create from there itself.
When you click on the Next button you will get an option known as “Through the Internet” checkmark the same and click on the next icon.

On the next page only check Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on the Properties button.

A new pop up box will popup where you have to check the “Allow callers to access my local area network” option.

Under the IP Address Assignment section in the same pop up box assign a range of IPs and also the number of users who can simultaneously access the VPN server.

Once done click on Ok and press the Allow Access

As you proceed to the next page you will get a list of all the configurations which you can print out for referring later in the setup.

Allowing VPN Connection through Windows firewall

Once all this is done there is another necessary thing that is needed to be setup in order to make sure that there is no issues in users accessing the VPN server due to firewall hence let us have a look at the setup procedure of the Windows Firewall.

Search for Allow an app through Windows Firewall in the Start Menu, and click on the Windows Firewall Settings.

Click on the change settings button.

Now scroll to Routing and Remote Access option and check if Private and Public access is allowed.

Now click on the OK button.

Configure VPN Connection on Windows 10

Once the server setup is complete, now you will also be required to configure the devices that can access your local network. Any device ranging from a desktop, laptop, and tablet, to even a Mobile Phone can be setup to work with your local network remotely. Let us have a look at the detailed instructions:

Open Control Panel either from the desktop icon, or searching the same in the Start Menu.

Click on the Network & Internet settings and select the Network and Sharing Center

Now click on the Change Adapter Settings option, which you can find in the left pane.

Right click on the VPN Adapter and select Properties option from the drop down.

As the settings open click on the General tab, and enter the domain that you might have created while you configured your DDNS( Dynamic Domain Name Service), if you have not then enter the correct IP Address which you must have noted in the starting.

Once done select the Security tab and under the “Type of VPN” select Point to Point Tuneling Protocol (PPTP), while under “Data Encryption” select Maximum strength encryption (disconnect if server declines)

Now click on the OK button.

Now head to the Networking Tab

• uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) option.
• check the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option.

Once done select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option and click on properties.

Open the advanced settings option which you can find on the bottom of the dialogue box.

From the new dialogue box disable the Use default gateway on remote network

Click on Ok button on all the different dialogue boxes we have opened in the procedure.

Now open the Settings of Windows 10, and open the Network & Internet panel.

Head to the VPN pane.

Now select the newly configured VPN Connection, and click on Connect.

Although there are many different ways in which you can configure the VPN on Windows 10, but these settings will enable you to use VPN without installing any third party software, and hence is the most secure and fastest way to use VPN on your PC. Using VPN you will even be enabled to use your device as a remote desktop which is a much better solution then TeamViewer.

If you encounter any issues while setting up the connection do let us know in the comment section below so we can help you out with the same. Also comment if you have already setup the VPN connection for your home use.