How to Set Up Free VPNs on Windows 11, The Complete Guide

Posted in Tech on August 17, 2025
Tags: VPN, Windows

If you watched the video, this is the page I promised in the description. We will walk through the setup on Windows 11, give you a ready-to-try list of servers, show where to find more free servers, and cover important safety tips. If something fails, scroll to the troubleshooting section and follow it step by step.

Quick note: free VPNs are fine for learning and light use, but they often have limits, slower speeds, and fewer locations than paid services. If you can, a paid VPN is usually the better experience. If you cannot, use the free options carefully and avoid sending anything sensitive.

What you will set up

• Windows 11 built-in VPN client
• Protocol, SSTP for VPN Gate servers, since it works natively in Windows
• Credentials, simple username and password when required, explained below

Step-by-step, Windows 11 setup

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → VPN.
   Or press the Windows key, type VPN, and open VPN settings.
2. Click Add VPN.

• VPN provider, choose Windows, built-in
• Connection name, any label you like, for example VPN US

3. Get a server, the easy way, VPN Gate

• Open the Public VPN Relay Servers page and pick a server from the list
• Copy the SSTP Hostname that ends with .opengw.net
• Back in Windows, paste it into Server name or address
• Important, for VPN Gate SSTP you must use the hostname, not the IP. If a server uses a non-standard port, include it like vpn12345.opengw.net:1442. (vpngate.net)

4. Choose VPN type = SSTP.
5. Sign-in info = Username and password.
   For VPN Gate, both username and password are vpn. (vpngate.net)
6. Click Save, select your new VPN, then Connect.
   Once connected, your traffic exits from the country of that server, which can help with region-blocked sites. (vpngate.net)

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Starter server list, plug and play

These examples were visible in the VPN Gate list at the time of writing, they change often. If one is busy or down, try another, then check the live list linked below.

Japan

• public-vpn-120.opengw.net
• public-vpn-186.opengw.net
• public-vpn-75.opengw.net
• public-vpn-71.opengw.net
• public-vpn-241.opengw.net
• public-vpn-53.opengw.net
• public-vpn-55.opengw.net
• public-vpn-195.opengw.net
• public-vpn-95.opengw.net
• public-vpn-44.opengw.net

United States

• vpn924983651.opengw.net:1442
• vpn667861253.opengw.net:1355

For the freshest options, always use the live VPN Gate list and sort by line speed or ping. The page also highlights the exact SSTP hostname you should copy. (vpngate.net)

Where to find more free VPN servers and credentials

Use these pages when you need new servers, updated logins, or different protocols.

VPN Gate, Public VPN Relay Servers, live, volunteer run SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN lists with the well known vpn/vpn login for SSTP and easy copy buttons. (vpngate.net)

VPNBook (PPTP and OpenVPN). They publish hostnames like US16.vpnbook.com, FR200.vpnbook.com, plus rotating usernames and passwords on the page. PPTP is easy but weak, prefer OpenVPN if you use VPNBook. (vpnbook.com)

FreeVPN.me (OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP). They post servers and credentials publicly, for example server1.freevpn.me with a username and password listed on the Accounts page. (Anonymous VPN service (OpenVPN & PPTP))

OpenProxyList (public OpenVPN list). This site monitors and publishes OpenVPN endpoints and updates them frequently. Use with the OpenVPN GUI app on Windows. (Open Proxy List)

VPN.fail (WireGuard and OpenVPN). Grab ready-made configs or use their Telegram bot to receive updated profiles. Great when you want WireGuard speed. (VPN.fail, Telegram)

Tip for OpenVPN and WireGuard, Windows does not support these in the built-in VPN dialog, so install OpenVPN GUI or WireGuard app first, then import the files from the sites above. (Comparitech)

Already paying for a VPN? Use manual setup without the app

Some premium providers let you create manual connections in Windows using IKEv2 or L2TP/IPsec, which can be cleaner than running another background app.

NordVPN publishes step-by-step IKEv2 instructions and separate service credentials for manual setup on Windows. You can connect directly from Settings once you add their server and enter those credentials. (NordVPN Support)

ExpressVPN, Bitdefender, others, support varies. Many now push app setups, and some no longer offer L2TP or PPTP manual profiles for security reasons. Check your provider’s support pages before you spend time on manual setup. (ExpressVPN)

Troubleshooting, do this in order

1. Try another server from the same list. Volunteer servers go up and down, so swapping usually fixes it. (vpngate.net)
2. Double check the SSTP hostname. For VPN Gate SSTP you must paste the exact .opengw.net hostname, not the IP. If you see a custom port on the list, include it, for example ...opengw.net:1442. (vpngate.net)
3. Force SSTP in Windows. Edit your VPN entry, open Advanced options → Security tab, set Type of VPN to SSTP, then retry. (vpngate.net)
4. Network blocks. Some school or office networks filter VPNs. Try a server that listens on TCP 443 for SSTP, or switch strategies:
   • Use L2TP/IPsec or OpenVPN from the same VPN Gate row
   • Or install the OpenVPN GUI or WireGuard app and use configs from the sites above (vpngate.net, Open Proxy List, Comparitech)
5. Still stuck, restart your PC and your router, then test with a different internet connection, for example a mobile hotspot, to rule out local filtering.

Important safety notes and disclaimer

I want you to stay safe while experimenting, so please read this part.

• Do not use public VPNs for banking, shopping, or anything sensitive. These servers are run by volunteers and third parties. They may keep limited logs such as timestamps and IPs, and they can be unstable. Treat them as untrusted infrastructure. (vpngate.net, redact.dev)
• Prefer modern protocols. Microsoft is deprecating legacy PPTP and even L2TP in Windows Server editions, and recommends using SSTP or IKEv2 for secure connectivity. PPTP in particular has well known weaknesses. (TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM, BleepingComputer)
• Free VPN limitations. Expect bandwidth caps, slower speeds, and fewer locations. If you can afford it, a reputable paid VPN with audited no-logs claims is usually faster and safer. If you cannot, use free options for casual browsing only. (vpnbook.com)
• Follow your local laws and site terms. Some activities remain against a site’s terms of service even if a VPN is used.

Extra, using other protocols on Windows

• IKEv2, excellent for manual setups with paid providers like NordVPN, often the best mix of speed and stability in Windows. (NordVPN Support)
• OpenVPN and WireGuard, require separate apps on Windows. Use them when SSTP fails or when you want better speed. (Comparitech)

Frequently asked quick answers

1. What username and password do I use with VPN Gate SSTP?
   • Both are vpn. The server table shows this, and each row lists the SSTP hostname to copy. (vpngate.net)
2. Why does VPNBook ask for a different password sometimes?
   • They rotate the password periodically, check the Free VPN page for the latest. (vpnbook.com)
3. Why is PPTP discouraged?
   • It is an older protocol with known security issues, Microsoft is moving away from it. Use SSTP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, or WireGuard instead. (TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM, BleepingComputer)

Closing

When you run into issues, leave a comment on the video and I will help you sort it.