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How to Set Up a Proxy on Windows 10: In-depth Guide

Learn three methods to configure your proxies on Windows.

windows proxy setup

Setting up proxies via Network Settings

Step 1. Click on the Start button and then click on the gear icon⚙️  (Settings).

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 First Step

Step 2. In Settings, click on Network & Internet.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Step 2

Step 3. In the left column, choose the Proxy tab. It’s located at the very bottom.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Step 3

Step 4.  Scroll down until the section Manual proxy setup & set the Use a proxy server switch to On.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Step 4

Step 5. Fill in the Address and Port fields with your proxy provider’s data. Check the box Don‘t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses and click the Save button.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Step 5

Alternative method: Proxy Settings for Windows 7, 8 and 10

If you‘ve recently upgraded to Windows 10 from a previous version or just looking for an alternative proxy setup method, you can configure the same settings using Control Panel.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it properly:

Step 1. Type Control Panel in the Search Bar and click on the Control Panel icon.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Alternate Step 1

Step 2. After opening Control Panel, click on Internet Options.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Alternate Way Step 2

Important note: if you‘re using this method on Windows 10, your Control Panel might look like this:

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 View Category

If you‘re seeing this window, just click on Network and Internet. Then select Manage browser add-ons.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Alternate Way Important Note

Step 3. Select the Connections tab and then click on the LAN settings button.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Alternate Way Step 3

Step 4. Check the box Use your proxy server for your LAN, fill in Address and Port fields with your proxy provider’s data, check the box Bypass proxy server for local addresses, and click Ok.

Important note: If you‘re using HTTPS, FTP, SOCK5 proxies, or want not to use proxies for specific URLs, press the Advanced button, fill in the fields you need, and click OK.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 Alternate Way Important Note 2

Setting up proxies via Command Prompt

If you feel comfortable using Command Prompt, this proxy setup for Windows method is definitely for you! It‘s really fast because you can set up proxies just by writing one line of code.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1. Press ⊞ Windows + R buttons at the same time.

How to open command prompt using shortcuts on Windows

Step 2. Type cmd and click OK.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 CMD Step 2

Step 3. Type the command bellow and press ENTER.

netsh winhttp set proxy <proxy>:<port>

In fields <proxy> & <port>, use your proxy provider’s data.

Warning: If you‘re receiving the error Error writing proxy settings. (5) Access is denied, go to Start and type cmd. Right-click Command prompt and select Run as administrator. Then repeat Step 3.

How To Set Up Proxy On Windows 10 CMD error
proxy servers as houses

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 10 Proxy Setup

It’s simply a proxy server that you can set up on the Windows 10 operating system.

You can try searching for them on Google, but we wouldn’t advise doing that – free proxies are dangerous!

You can go to a website like Whoer and see if your IP and location have changed. For more in-depth testing, feel free to read our article on how to test proxies.

Picture of Chris Becker
Chris Becker
Proxy reviewer and tester.