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Installing and using NordVPN on Windows 7 and 8.1

This article is available in FrenchGerman, Italian, Korean, Portuguese-Brazilian, Polish, Japanese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Traditional Chinese, and Spanish.

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 newer Windows system, follow the guide here.

Table of contents:

Downloading and installing
Setting up the application
Choosing between different servers

NordVPN settings menu

Downloading and installing the NordVPN app

  1. Download the NordVPN app by pressing the button below. 
     

    Download App


    You may also download the NordVPN app via direct link:

    Download for Windows x64
    Download for Windows x32
     
  2. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the NordVPNSetup.exe file. 

    Click the downloads folder and then find the file named NordVPNSetup.exe. Open it.
     
  3. A pop-up window may ask you if you allow the app to make changes to your device. Click Yes.

    Allow the application to make changes to your computer by pressing yes in the pop-up window.
     
  4. The installer window will open. Click Next.

    The installer window will open. Click Next.

  5. Tick the boxes if you want shortcuts for the NordVPN app on your Desktop and/or the Start menu, then click Next and Install.

    Tick the boxes if you want shortcuts for the NordVPN app on your Desktop and/or the Start menu, then click Next and Install.
     
  6. 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.

    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

  1. Click on the NordVPN logo on your desktop, and after the app loads up, click Log In to continue.

    Click on the NordVPN logo on your desktop, and after the app loads up, click Log In to continue.
     
  2. Your browser will open up and load the Nord Account login page. First, enter your username or email address, press Continue, and then enter your password.

    Your browser will open up and load the Nord Account login page. First, enter your username or email address, press Continue and then enter your password.
     
  3. To start using NordVPN straight away, you can simply press on Quick Connect, wait till you see the status change from Unprotected to Protected and you're good to go for a secure and private session!

    To start using NordVPN straight away, you can simply press on Quick Connect, wait till you see the status change from Unprotected to Protected and 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.

    NordVPN application map with the search bar, features, available countries, settings, protection status.
    1. Search bar: one of the ways you can connect to NordVPN servers. Use the search bar to find specific servers by typing in the name of the country, city, the server number or the specialty server type. Click here for more details.
    2. 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?
    3. All countries: a list of countries you can connect to. Hovering over a country's name reveals additional options, such as specifying the city (if applicable) and server name.
    4. Quick Connect: this option automatically connects you to the fastest and closest NordVPN server. 
    5. Threat protection: an innovative solution for dealing with malware, web tracking, malicious ads and more! Read about it here: Threat Protection
    6. Settings menu: clicking on this cogwheel icon reveals additional options which we explain below. 


Choosing between different NordVPN servers

Using the search bar. You can connect to specific servers by typing in a category, region, or a specific server number with a hashtag (e.g. United States #4672) to find what you need.

Specific servers are found by typing in a category, region, or a specific server number with a hashtag.

Using the All Countries list or the Servers map. Click on the nodes on the map or on the specific country in the list to connect to the best server in the given location.

NordVPN country list that allows you to connect to different servers by country. 

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. 

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 the Settings tab, you can set up the application to your liking. To open the settings menu, press on the cogwheel icon in the bottom left corner

The settings menu is the cogwheel icon in the bottom left corner. 

 

General settings

  • Launch at Windows startup makes NordVPN run automatically when you start your computer. Enabled by default.
  • Launch the app minimized displays 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 notifications shows Windows notifications each time you connect or disconnect from a server. Enabled by default.
  • Threat Protection: block ads and malicious websites protects you from 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 your account details. The Logout button is also at the bottom.

    NordVPN General settings include features like Launching at windows startup, launching the application in a minimized version, showing VPN connection status, Threat Protection. Here you can also choose your application settings. In the left sidebar you can also access account details.

Auto-connect settings

  • Always when the app launches makes 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-Fi makes the app connect to a server automatically when you connect to a network: Unsecure networks or AlwaysDisabled 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 network or 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 automatically lets 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-connect to lets you select your preferred country or server type, which the app will automatically connect to. You will be able to select a specific city after you select a preferred country.
  • Trusted Wi-Fi networks disables 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.

    The auto-connect tab includes features like auto-connecting to wi-fi, choosing a different protocol, auto-connecting to a specific server, and a trusted wi-fi network list, which informs the application to not turn on the VPN when connected to these networks.

Kill Switch

  • Internet Kill Switch cuts off your internet connection when you’re disconnected from secure NordVPN servers. Disabled by default.
  • App Kill Switch shuts 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.

    The Kill Switch tab includes features like Internet Kill Switch and App Kill Switch. This, in general, protects your computer from any malicious activity.

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.

    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 DNS lets you specify 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.

    The Advanced settings tab includes features like custom DNS, obfuscated Servers, Invisibility on LAN, and diagnostics.

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.

    My account 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

    Within the Dark Web Monitor section, you can choose to get notified in case there is a leak of your information related to the email used with NordVPN.

 

Stay safe online

Avoid online threats, share files, and connect to the world’s largest network of servers. Enjoy privacy with NordVPN.

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