A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the most common methods to access files and resources (like apps, intranet websites, and printers) using an encrypted connection from a remote location and through the internet. Show
Typically, companies use VPN to extend their private network to allow employees to access resources through a public network as if they were directly connected to the company’s network. Windows 10, like other versions of the OS, has a feature called “Incoming Connection” that enables you to set up a VPN server to connect remotely to your home network to access your computer’s files and peripherals, and even other computers in the network. In this guide, you will learn how to set up a VPN server on Windows 10 without extra software on the Home or Pro version of the OS.
How to find your IP address informationThe first thing you need to know is the public IP address that has been assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). You will need this information to contact your VPN server remotely. To find out your current public IP address, use these steps:
If you are setting up the “Incoming Connection” feature in your home computer, you probably have a dynamic public IP address, which can change at any time. If this is the case, you will need to configure DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) in your router to avoid having to configure the VPN setup every time your public IP address changes. Here are the instructions to help you set up DDNS on your router. You can also visit your router’s manufacturer website for more assistance to configure DDNS. How to set up port forwarding on routerTo be able to connect through a public network (such as the internet) to your home VPN server, you will need to forward port 1723 (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)) to allow VPN connections. Here are the instructions to help you set up port forwarding on your router. You can also visit your router’s manufacturer website for more specific assistance to configure Port Forwarding. Once you have set up DDNS to use a domain name instead of a complicated IP address and forwarded port 1723, you are now ready to set up a VPN server on your device. To create a VPN server on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the VPN server will be created, but it won’t work until you configure the firewall to allow connections. How to allow VPN connections through firewallWhile configuring the Incoming Connection feature on Windows 10 should automatically open the necessary Windows Firewall ports, you want to ensure the firewall is configured correctly. To allow VPN connections through the firewall on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Windows 10 VPN server will now be able to receive connections remotely from other computers. How to set up a VPN connection on Windows 10Once you finish setting up the VPN server on Windows 10, you must configure the devices that can remotely access the local network. You can set up any computer and phone (including Android and iPhone). Here are the instructions to set up a VPN connection on Windows 10. After adding a VPN connection to your computer, you have to adjust the settings with these steps:
While many solutions allow users to connect remotely to a private network using a VPN connection, you can set up your server with the tools built within Windows 10 without needing extra software. Also, one of the best benefits of setting up a VPN server on your Windows 10 computer is that it’s not only secure and reliable, but it’s an excellent alternative for users who are still skeptical about cloud services to store their data. Even more, through a virtual private network, you can even access your device using the remote desktop feature on Windows 10. Update January 4, 2022: This guide was initially published in May 2016 and revised in January 2021 to ensure the steps are still accurate. Does Windows 10 Home Edition support VPN?Whether it's for work or personal use, you can connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on your Windows 10 PC. A VPN connection can help provide a more secure connection and access to your company's network and the internet, for example, when you're working from a coffee shop or similar public place.
Can you upgrade from Windows 10 Home to pro?If you're running Windows 10 Home, select Get Windows 10 Pro to upgrade your device.
Does always on VPN work with Windows 10 pro?Always On VPN is a Windows 10-only technology. It requires the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later. But in contrast to DirectAccess, Always On VPN is supported in Pro, Enterprise, and other Windows 10 SKUs.
Can I upgrade Windows 10 Home to pro with same key?If you have a Windows 10 Pro product key
Under Upgrade your edition of Windows, select Change product key. Enter the 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key. Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
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