How to Connect to a VPN on Windows 8

Windows 8 has a built-in VPN client that allows users to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when in the “Secure” boot mode.

The built-in VPN client in Windows 8 is one of the more useful features in the operating system. It provides quick and easy-to-use VPN connectivity to the Windows ecosystem. While in the “secure” boot mode, the operating system checks for VPN connections and allows users to connect quickly and easily to a VPN without having to open up a particular application.

Which VPNs Can I Connect To?

If you’re looking for a VPN that’s compatible with the SafeBoot feature on Windows 8, you should check out Private Internet Access (PIA). They’re one of the biggest names in the VPN industry and have been consistently supported by the community. Not only do they have great client support for Windows 8, but they also have very high customer satisfaction scores. They offer a great combination of security and usability.

How Do I Connect To A VPN On Windows 8?

In order to connect to a VPN on Windows 8, you’ll need to do a little bit of preparation. First, you’ll need to make sure that your computer is on the same local network as the VPN. Second, you’ll need to create a username and password for the VPN. Finally, you’ll need to enable the secure boot option on your computer.

Let’s walk through connecting to a VPN on Windows 8 step-by-step.

Step One: Turn On Network And Internet Connectivity

The first thing you’ll need to do is turn on your network and Internet connectivity. You can do this by clicking the “Windows” button at the top right of your screen and selecting “Network & Internet” from the “Windows” menu. An icon for your Ethernet connection will appear in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. Tap it to access your network settings.

It’s important to note here that you need to have network and Internet connectivity in order to connect to a VPN. You cannot connect to a VPN if your network settings are set to “Not Available“. Once you have network connectivity, you can immediately connect to a VPN by tapping the “Connect To VPN” button that you’ll see at the top of your screen.

Step Two: Make Sure Your Computer Is On The Same Network As The VPN

The next step is to make sure that your computer is on the same network as the VPN. To do this, you’ll need to open up your Network Preferences from the “Settings > Network And Internet” menu. When the Network Preferences window opens up, you’ll see a list of all the available networks. Your computer should be listed under “Local Area Connection (Ethernet)”.

If your Ethernet connection is “Not Available“, you cannot use the VPN. You’ll need to connect to a different network.

A VPN is always most effective when it is the only network connection available. If you’re using a shared network connection, such as at a coffee shop or library, your security might be compromised by a network attacker. In these situations, it’s best to use a dedicated network connection for your VPN activities.

Step Three: Create A Username And Password For The VPN

In order to connect to a VPN, you’ll need to create a username and password. You can do this by opening up the Network Settings from the “Settings > Network And Internet” menu and selecting “Create A Password” in the “Security” section of the “Network Settings” menu. Create a strong password (at least 8 characters long), and make sure that you never share your password with anyone. If you forget your password, you’ll need to reset it by following the instructions under “Lost Password > Reset“.

If you’re using a dedicated network connection for your VPN, you’ll need to create a username and password for that network’s login. You cannot use the built-in Windows 8 VPN to connect to a different network’s login.

Step Four: Optionally, Turn On The Security Features On Your Computer

The last step in connecting to a VPN on Windows 8 is to optionally turn on the security features of your computer. You can do this by selecting “Security” from the “Windows” menu and turning on the Windows Firewall (if your computer is connected to the Internet via a network connection), or the Protection (if it’s connected to the Internet directly).

After turning on these security features, you’ll see a large lock in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. This lock indicates that your computer is now protected and that it cannot be accessed by unauthorised users (including potential hackers).

If you have any other security-related settings on your computer, you can toggle them here as well (such as Windows Defender, Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Safari (iOS)).

Taken all together, these steps will get you connected to your VPN in no time at all. You’ll simply need to tap “Connect To VPN” when prompted.

What About The DNS Settings?

DNS (Domain Name System) is a tool that allows your computer to automatically find and connect to websites and servers. When you connect to a VPN, the DNS settings for your computer are temporarily changed to point to the VPN’s DNS servers. Once you’re done using the VPN, you’ll need to remember to change your DNS back to your original settings.

Although changing your DNS settings to point to the VPN’s servers is a quick and easy way to connect to the network, it has its caveats. One of the main disadvantages of using the native Windows 8 VPN client is that it doesn’t allow you to change your DNS settings. When you’re in the secure boot mode, the operating system automatically overwrites your DNS settings with the VPN’s servers. This means that you’ll always need to use the VPN even when browsing the web (or using other applications that require you to look up addresses).

If you have to use the VPN to connect to the Internet, you might as well use a VPN client that supports changing your DNS settings. If you want to change your DNS manually, you can download and install an app from the Google Play Store that allows you to do exactly that.

Is There A Difference In Terms Of Performance Between The Microsoft And The OpenVPN Clients?

One big difference between the Microsoft built-in VPN client and the OpenVPN client (included with the Tor application) is speed and reliability. The Microsoft client is usually a little faster than the OpenVPN client, but it can be significantly slower at times (especially when connecting to a VPN server that’s geographically close to you).

When choosing a VPN, make sure that you are getting top-notch performance. You should avoid using the OpenVPN client if you’re experiencing performance issues. If you’re looking for a fast and reliable VPN that also happens to be compatible with Windows 8, you should try out Private Internet Access (PIA). They have a fast and reliable global network coupled with great Windows 8 compatibility. Plus, their customer support is excellent.

Should I Use Chrome Or Firefox For Web Browsing While On A VPN?

Although most people use the built-in Windows 8 VPN client to connect to a VPN, you might as well use a different browser for web browsing while on a VPN. There are a few reasons for this. First, different browsers have different levels of support for the security protocols (such as TLS and SSL) that are required for secured websites. Chrome and Firefox both support these protocols, while Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer don’t. If you use one of these other browsers to connect to a VPN, you’ll encounter websites that won’t work (or will work poorly) as expected.