The NordVPN client application is the recommended option for connecting to NordVPN servers on your Windows PC. To begin using the NordVPN Windows client application, download and install the NordVPN app on your Windows PC, log in, and connect to a NordVPN server. All of these steps will be covered in this tutorial. If you need a guide on installing and using NordVPN on a newerWindows system, follow the guidehere.
Table of contents:
Downloading and installing
Setting up the application
Choosing between different servers
- Connect to a specific server
- Connect to a specific country
NordVPN settings menu
- General settings
- Auto-connect settings
- Kill Switch settings
- Split Tunneling
- Advanced settings
- My Account
- Dark Web Monitor
Downloading and installing the NordVPN app
- Download the NordVPN app:
- Go to yourDownloadsfolder and double-click theNordVPNSetup.exefile.
- A pop-up window may ask you if you allow the app to make changes to your device. Click Yes.
- The installer window will open. ClickNext.
- Tick the boxes if you want shortcuts for the NordVPN app on your Desktop and/or theStart menu, then click Next andInstall.
- The installer will proceed with the installation process. Once it’s complete, you will be asked if you want to launch NordVPN right away. Click Finish to complete the setup.
Setting up and using NordVPN
- Click on the NordVPN logo on your desktop, and after the app loads up, clickLog Into continue.
- Your browser will open up and load theNord Accountlogin page. First, enter your username or email address, pressContinue,and thenenter your password.
- To start using NordVPN straight away, you can simply press onQuick Connect, wait till you see the status change fromUnprotectedtoProtectedand you're good to go for a secure and private session!
However,for the full understanding of what the NordVPN app offers, let's briefly go over what you can find on the main screen and then in the settings menu.
- Search bar:one of the ways you can connect to NordVPN servers.Use thesearch bar to find specific servers by typing in thename of the country,city,the server numberor the specialty server type.Clickherefor more details.
- Specialty servers: NordVPN offers multiple categories of servers, each one with its own unique benefits. We have a dedicated article explaining the different types in detail:What do the different server categories mean?
- All countries: a list of countries you can connect to. Hovering over a country's name reveals additional options, such as specifying thecity(if applicable) andserver name.
- Quick Connect: this option automatically connects you to the fastest and closest NordVPN server.
- Threat protection: an innovative solution for dealing with malware, web tracking, malicious ads and more! Read about it here:Threat Protection.
- Settings menu: clicking on thiscogwheel icon reveals additional options which we explain below.
Choosing between different NordVPN servers
Using the search bar. You can connect tospecific servers by typingin a category, region, or a specific servernumber with a hashtag (e.g. United States #4672) to find what you need.
Using the All Countrieslist or the Servers map. Click on the nodes on the map or on the specificcountry in the list to connect to the best server in the given location.
Clicking on the three dots next to the country name reveals additional connection options, such as the ability to select the specific city and server.
NordVPN settings menu
In theSettingstab, you can set up the application to your liking. To open the settings menu, press on the cogwheel icon in the bottom left corner.
General settings
- Launch at Windows startupmakes NordVPN run automatically when you start your computer.Enabled by default.
- Launch the appminimizeddisplays the NordVPN icon only in the Windows system tray when the computer starts (instead of opening the main window).Enabled by default.
- Show VPN connection status notificationsshows Windows notifications each time you connect or disconnect from a server.Enabled by default.
- Threat Protection: block ads and malicious websitesprotects youfrom intrusive ads, malware sites, phishing links, and other threats.
- Select app language from the Language dropdown menu. You can select English, Spanish, French, or German.
- In the left sidebar, you can also access youraccount details. TheLogoutbutton is also at the bottom.
Auto-connect settings
- Always when the app launchesmakes the app connect to a server automatically upon starting when using an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi network. It does not apply to Trusted Wi-Fi networks.Disabled by default.
- Auto-connect on Wi-Fimakes the app connect to a server automatically when you connect to a network: Unsecure networks or Always.Disabled by default.
Unsecure networks: connect to a server automatically when you connect to an unsecure Wi-Fi network. Unsecure wireless networks are networks without a password and/or networks with weak encryption. It only works while connecting to a new Wi-Fi networkor switching the Wi-Fi network. It does not apply to an Ethernet connection and Trusted Wi-Fi networks. The setting allows you to disconnect after being auto-connected.
Always:applies only to Wi-Fi networks. Make the app connect to a server automatically when using Wi-Fi that is not trusted. You will not be able to disconnect unless you trust your current Wi-Fi or disable auto-connect.
- Choose a VPN protocol and server automaticallylets the app choose a VPN protocol and server automatically. Enabled by default.
- VPN protocol(visible after disabling the Choose a VPN protocol and server automatically option). UDP is mainly used for streaming and downloading.TCP is more reliable, but also a little slower, and is usually used for web browsing.NordLynx is used by default.
- Auto-connectto lets you select your preferred country or server type, which the app willautomatically connect to. You will be able to select a specific city after you select a preferred country.
- Trusted Wi-Fi networksdisables Auto-connect on specific Wi-Fi networks. For example, you can make an exception for your home Wi-Fi if you trust it.
IMPORTANT NOTE: you will lose internet connectivity while connected to a Trusted Wi-Fi with enabled Internet Kill Switch.
Kill Switch
- Internet Kill Switchcuts off your internet connection when you’re disconnected from secure NordVPN servers. Disabled by default.
- App Kill Switchshuts down specified programs if you lose VPN connection. For example, if you add Skype to the list, NordVPN will close it whenever you disconnect. Since it takes a few seconds to reach a secure VPN server, this will prevent your data from leaking upon automatically reconnecting to the internet.Disabled by default.
Split Tunneling
- Split tunneling allows you to exclude applications from the VPN connection. In other words, the apps which you select to add into the split tunneling feature will allow them to stay unaffected by NordVPN.
Advanced settings
- Custom DNSlets youspecify a particular DNS server for the NordVPN application.
- Obfuscated Servers enable you to bypass network restrictions, such as firewalls. This is recommended for countries with restricted network access.
- Invisibility on LAN makes your computer invisible to others on the same local area network (LAN). Keep in mind that once enabled, you will not be able to connect to devices on the same LAN, like printers. Disabled by default.
- Diagnostics runs the NordVPN diagnostics tool if you’re having technical issues. Collect the diagnostic data and provide the ticket ID to our support staff for further assistance. If the diagnostics tool does not give you a ticket ID, you can send the .zip file to our support staff instead.
My Account
- This section will provide you with the information about your subscription as well as an option to change your password and activate the Two-factor authentication. You can also download our application for other operating systems.
Dark Web Monitor
- Become notified in case there is a leak of your information related to the email used with NordVPN. Read more about the feature in our dedicated section.
