Windows gets the most malware and phishing attacks of any operating system. A stable VPN app with proper privacy protection isn't just nice to have — it's essential.
We checked for DNS/IP leaks on Windows — many VPNs failed this basic security test, exposing user data even when "connected."
85% of malware targets Windows
Built-in tracking & telemetry
Real performance data from Windows 10 & 11 testing
Excellent Windows app with advanced security features
Detailed test results from our Windows lab
| Provider | Protocols on Windows | Kill Switch | Split Tunneling | Streaming Test Result | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
E
ZoogVPN
|
WireGuardOpenVPN
|
Automatic
|
Yes
|
✓ Netflix US/UK
✓ BBC iPlayer
|
$1.99/mo |
9.6/10
|
|
N
NordVPN
|
NordLynxOpenVPN
|
Advanced
|
Yes
|
✓ Netflix US/UK
✓ BBC iPlayer
|
$3.99/mo |
9.2/10
|
|
S
Surfshark
|
WireGuardOpenVPN
|
Reliable
|
Yes
|
✓ Netflix US/UK
~ BBC iPlayer
|
$2.49/mo |
8.8/10
|
|
C
CyberGhost
|
WireGuardOpenVPN
|
Standard
|
No
|
✓ Netflix US/UK
✓ BBC iPlayer
|
$2.75/mo |
8.4/10
|
How to properly install and configure your VPN on Windows
Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator" to ensure proper installation of network drivers.
Why: VPN apps need to modify network settings and install TAP adapters, which requires administrator privileges.
When Windows asks about TAP driver installation, click "Allow" or "Install" to enable VPN functionality.
Note: TAP drivers create virtual network interfaces that allow VPN encryption to work properly.
Always enable the kill switch feature when using public Wi-Fi to prevent data leaks if VPN disconnects.
Critical: Without kill switch, your real IP and data can be exposed during VPN reconnections.
Common Windows-specific VPN questions answered
Windows Defender can sometimes flag VPN apps as potentially unwanted programs (PUP) or block VPN connections. We recommend adding your VPN app to Windows Defender exclusions and temporarily disabling real-time protection during installation. All VPNs in our top list are digitally signed and safe.
Windows 11's aggressive power management can put network adapters to sleep, causing VPN disconnections. Go to Device Manager > Network Adapters > TAP Adapter > Properties > Power Management and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device." Also disable "Fast Startup" in Windows power settings.
DNS leaks occur when Windows uses your ISP's DNS servers instead of the VPN's. Enable your VPN's DNS leak protection, disable "Smart Multi-Homed Name Resolution" in Windows, and flush your DNS cache using "ipconfig /flushdns" in Command Prompt. Test at dnsleaktest.com after connecting.
Windows built-in VPN is just a client that connects to VPN servers - you still need a VPN service provider. It lacks essential features like kill switch, DNS leak protection, and server optimization. Commercial VPN apps are much easier to use and more secure than manual Windows VPN configuration.
WireGuard is the best protocol for Windows - it's fast, secure, and has excellent Windows implementation. OpenVPN UDP is a solid alternative. Avoid PPTP (insecure) and L2TP (slow). Our testing shows WireGuard provides 15-20% better speeds than OpenVPN on Windows while maintaining strong security.
We don't just read specs — we install these VPNs on actual Windows 10 and 11 machines, test them under real conditions, and measure what actually matters.
