Wondering how you can set up PPTP VPN on your Windows 10 device? Don’t look any further because this article will guide you through the concise guidelines on how to set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10 without having any issues.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is one of the oldest protocols created by Microsoft. Though it’s considered outdated now, it is still being used for remote VPN connections.
It’s possible to also set up a VPN connection over PPTP to control a PC via the Internet using a Remote Desktop. However, you can turn your home PC into a VPN server to accept incoming remote connections over VPN. Sounds interesting, right?
Stay tuned and scroll through the complete step-by-step guide on how to create and set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10. The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is largely seen as not safe, and even its creator (Microsoft) has warned against using it.
For this reason, a lot of VPN providers these days have stopped PPTP in their apps. However, there are still a few providers that support it, so be ready to learn how to set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10.
Most smart devices have this native support for PPTP, including Routers. A fast and stable connection is ideal for streaming and also a perfect fit for older computers with weak hardware.
PPTP VPN can easily be blocked by firewalls, therefore, it’s not suitable for business use. PPTP is somewhat useful, as its weak encryption gives access to faster network speeds while still being able to unblock geo-restricted content.
You can however try other alternatives like OpenVPN, IKEv2, or the newly released WireGuard when dealing with online payments and sensitive logins (email, social media, etc.). Here’s how to manually set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10.
How to Set Up PPTP VPN on Windows 10
Below are step-by-step guidelines on how to set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10:
Create a PPTP VPN Connection
You need to create a PPTP VPN connection first, this will be the foundation of other setup procedures. Follow these steps below:
- Right-click on the Start button and navigate to Network Connections.
- Search and choose VPN, then click on the VPN Settings.
- Tap Add a VPN connection option by clicking on the “+” button.
- Set VPN provider to Windows (built-in).
- Set a Connection name, type in the server name or address.
- Set Server name or address, write the VPN server.
- To select VPN type, choose Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).
- Choose the Type of sign-in info to User name and password.
- Enter your VPN details at User name (optional) and Password (optional).
- Verify the Remember my sign-in info.
- Then click Save.
- Now, you have successfully created a PPTP VPN connection.
It’s possible to also set up a PPTP VPN connection on Windows 10 using a smart card, one-time password, or certificate authentication. Although, the username and password combination is more popular.
PPTP is still available on Windows (including Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10) and it is quite straightforward to set up.
To disconnect, simply click on the Network icon from the taskbar, locate the VPN connection, and click the Disconnect button. That’s it!
Make Use of a Windows VPN app via a VPN Provider
VPN providers give access to Windows VPN clients (VPN software) that configures VPN tunnels automatically with one click. Therefore, allowing you to easily switch between protocols, servers, and VPN locations.
However, due to insecurity, most VPNs have partly or abandoned the PPTP protocol. The two unique VPN services acceptable that may still help you set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10 are PureVPN and HideIPVPN.
You need to subscribe to the VPN service (PureVPN offers a 7-day trial for $0.99) to get started, install the Windows app, open the settings tab, and choose the PPTP protocol. That’s it!
Set Up PPTP VPN on Windows using your Router
You may need to connect multiple devices to the VPN using the PPTP protocol. All you need to do is set up the PPTP connection on your router and you are good to go. To set up PPTP on a router, follow the steps below:
- Sign in to the Router admin area.
- Open the VPN settings page and search for PPTP (a lot of routers still have PPTP available).
- Set the PPTP parameters (server IP or name, username, password) and save the information.
- Connect the Windows devices to the router and verify the VPN connection.
To remotely access a PC on a different network via the Internet by setting up a PPTP VPN with Remote Desktop, a router is very important to support the PPTP connections.
Connect to the PPTP VPN
Follow the steps below to connect to the PPTP VPN:
- Tap the network icon in the system tray.
- Choose your PPTP VPN connection.
- Tap on Connect button.
- Verify what your IP address is from Google to see if has changed.
The steps are quite easy and connecting to the PPTP VPN is as simple as joining a Wi-Fi network. However, if the PPTP VPN is not connecting on Windows 10, ensure you fix the problem.
For instance, in case your VPN connection gets blocked by Windows Firewall, you will need to configure updated firewall settings and enable a rule for PPTP.
In case you want to protect your online privacy and security, you can use a more secure VPN protocol like OpenVPN or WireGuard. These PPTP protocols are supported by Private Internet Access.
Other Alternate VPNs to Use on Windows 10
It’s not suitable to use PPTP VPN except you do not have an alternative! Other VPN protocols available on Windows 10 are safer and more reliable. Below are some of the latest alternatives you can always use to replace PPTP VPN:
- L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, SSTP: These are also built-in so that you may go ahead with the manual setup similar to the one mentioned above.
- OpenVPN: This is a very popular protocol that passed a lot of security audits over the years.
- WireGuard: This is a new VPN protocol, very fast, secure, and reliable. A lot of VPN providers are adopting it.
Benefits of using Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a VPN service that offers premium security features for the whole household. It supports not only PPTP but also modern protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
Also, the VPN service supports exclusive DNS servers, 10 simultaneous connections at once, port forwarding, a kill switch, and split-tunneling mode. It is also possible to install it at the router level to share your VPN connection with all nearby devices.
Private Internet Access has over 3,300 VPN servers in 48 countries. It is upgraded for streaming and torrenting. No logs are needed. It provides 24/7 live chat support and a 30-days money-back guarantee assured (no free trial).
How to Change PPTP VPN Server Location
Do you want to change the server location on your newly set up PPTP VPN? If yes, follow the steps below:
- Go to the VPN menu just as before (right-click on your network connection >> Open Network & Internet settings >> click VPN on the left side).
- Now, click on PPTP VPN, and click on Advanced options.
- Under “Connection properties”, tap on Edit.
- Then change the Server name or address field to the new server address you prefer. Click Save to complete the process.
Once the setup is completed, click on your VPN connection, then tap Connect. That’s it! You are done! That’s how to set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10 without any hassle. You can now easily browse content from abroad, however with minimal security.
That’s all about it, enjoy server bouncing and exploring all the content out there! In case you can’t set up PPTP VPN on Windows 10, don’t hesitate to ask for help in the comment below. We’ll be happy to get reviews from you regarding the article as well.