How to Create VPN connection in windows

Setting up a VPN for secure remote access to your Windows 10 PC allows you to securely connect from anywhere, bypassing the need to expose Remote Desktop to the internet. Here’s how you can set up a VPN server on Windows 10 and connect to it from another device.

 

Step 1: Enable VPN Server on Windows 10 (Host PC)

⿡ Open Network & Sharing Center

Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter.

Press Alt, then click File > New Incoming Connection.

⿢ Select Users Who Can Connect

Choose an existing user or click Add someone to create a new user for VPN access.

Click Next.

⿣ Enable VPN via Internet

Check Through the Internet, then click Next.

⿤ Enable VPN Protocols

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Check Allow callers to access my local network.

Select Specify IP addresses, then define an IP range (e.g., 192.168.1.200 - 192.168.1.210).

Click OK > Allow Access > Close.

Step 2: Allow VPN Traffic Through Firewall

⿡ Open Windows Firewall Settings

Press Win + R, type wf.msc, and hit Enter.

⿢ Create a Firewall Rule for VPN

Click Inbound Rules > New Rule.

Select Port, then click Next.

Choose UDP and enter 1701, 1723, 500, 4500 (these are VPN ports).

Click Next, select Allow the connection, then Next > Next > Finish.

Step 3: Enable VPN on Router (Port Forwarding)

If you want to access the VPN from outside your home network, you need to forward PPTP (port 1723), L2TP (ports 1701, 500, 4500) on your router.

 

Steps to Forward VPN Ports

Log in to your router settings (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

Find Port Forwarding settings.

Add rules to forward the following ports to your PC’s local IP (192.168.1.X):

PPTP: 1723 (TCP)

L2TP/IPSec: 1701, 500, 4500 (UDP)

Save and apply changes.

Step 4: Find Your Public IP

To connect from outside your home, you need your public IP address.

 

Go to https://whatismyipaddress.com/ and note your public IP.

📌 Tip: If your ISP provides a dynamic IP, use DDNS (Dynamic DNS) to get a hostname like myvpn.dyndns.org.

 

Step 5: Connect to VPN from Another Device

On Windows 10 Client

Press Win + I and go to Network & Internet > VPN.

Click Add a VPN connection.

Enter:

VPN provider: Windows (built-in)

Connection name: Any name (e.g., My Home VPN)

Server name or address: Your public IP or DDNS hostname

VPN type: PPTP or L2TP/IPSec (depending on your setup)

Username & Password (the user you added earlier)

Click Save and then Connect.

On Android/iPhone

Go to Settings > VPN and Add VPN configuration.

Choose L2TP/IPSec or PPTP, enter the server details, username, and password.

Save and Connect.

Step 6: Test Your VPN

Turn Wi-Fi off on your phone and connect via mobile data.

Try connecting to the VPN using the public IP or DDNS hostname.

Once connected, open Remote Desktop (RDP) and enter your PC's local IP (192.168.1.X) to access it securely.