Installing and using NordVPN on Windows 10 and 11

This guide will show you how to set up the NordVPN application on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device to secure your online activity as fast as possible with easy-to-follow steps.

If you use Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 32-bit devices instead of Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, check out our tutorial on installing NordVPN on them.

Downloading and installing the NordVPN app:

1. Download the NordVPN app. 
2. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the NordVPNInstall file.   
   
   
    
3. A pop-up window may ask if you allow the app to change your device. Click Yes.
   
   
   
   
4. The installer window will open. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
5. Untick the boxes if you do not want the NordPass Browser extension or the NordVPN Browser extension, and click Install.
   
   
   
   
6. The application will then begin installing.
   
   
   
   
7. Once the installer finishes, the program will ask if you want to launch NordVPN immediately. Click Launch NordVPN or Close to complete the setup.
   
   
   
   NOTE: If the installer fails, launch it with administrator rights by right-clicking it and pressing "Run as Administrator".

Setting up and using NordVPN:

1. Open the NordVPN program. After the app loads, click Log In to continue.
   
   
    
2. Your browser will open and load the Nord Account login page. First, enter your username or email address, press Continue, and then enter your password. If you set up to be able to log in using other methods, you may log in with Google or an Apple ID. If you don't have an active account or subscription, follow our guide to learn how to get one.
   
   
   
   
3. After logging in, you should see a pop-up about NordAccount wanting to launch a program; allow it because NordAccount is trying to tell the NordVPN application you have logged in.
   
   NOTE: If the pop-up does not appear, click the Continue button, and it should open the pop-up once more.
   
   
   
   
4. To start using NordVPN immediately, press Quick Connect, and wait until you see the status change from Not connected to Connected. Then, you're good to go for a secure and private session! 
   
   
   
   However, to understand what the NordVPN app offers, let's briefly review what you can find on the main screen.
   
   
   
   
   1. Quick Connect: this option automatically connects you to the fastest and closest NordVPN server. 
   2. Disconnect button: lets you disconnect or pause a connection from a NordVPN server.
   3. Refresh button: this option refreshes your current connection and switches to a new recommended server.
   4. Recent connections: shows flags of the countries that you recently connected to.
   5. Search bar: one of the ways you can connect to NordVPN servers. Use the search bar to find specific servers by typing the name of the country, city, server number, or specialty server type. Check out our website for detailed information on our servers.
   6. Specialty servers: NordVPN offers multiple categories of servers, each with unique benefits. You can visit our article for detailed information on the differences between Specialty servers.
   7. 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.

Features:

You can find all the additional features NordVPN offers on the left side of the menu.

Main screen icon:

After pressing the home icon, the NordVPN application will show you the default main screen where you can easily connect to whichever server you like, see any Meshnet file transfers, turn Threat Protection Pro™ on or off, and see your weekly time connected.

Globe icon:

Upon clicking this button, you will see the Earth with all possible NordVPN connection nodes. After clicking on any bubble, the NordVPN application will instantly connect to a server in that country.

Threat Protection Pro™:

When turned on, the Threat Protection Pro™ feature automatically blocks ads, trackers, and malicious URLs. When you visit a website known for scamming people, this feature displays an in-browser alert to warn you about possible fraud. Threat Protection Pro™ also scans downloads for malware and checks your apps for security vulnerabilities. Available with selected NordVPN plans, Threat Protection Pro™ can work without an active VPN connection. You can read more about Threat Protection on our website.

File transfers:

This screen shows any ongoing Meshnet file transfers and allows you to create new ones from the File Transfers menu. 

Meshnet:

The Meshnet feature allows you to create a secure, private network for many devices located anywhere in the world, access them remotely, and send all your online traffic through another device.

Dark Web Monitor:

The Dark Web Monitor feature scans the internet for credential leaks associated with your registered NordVPN email address. You can visit our website for more information on our Dark Web Monitor feature.

Help:

The Help menu allows you to run the NordVPN diagnostics program, which will enable you to do troubleshooting things such as:

• Flush the network settings.
• Reset application settings.
• Collect diagnostics for troubleshooting with NordVPN support.
  
  NOTE: You can also visit the NordVPN Support Center from this menu.
  
  

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., Canada - United States #109).

Using the All Countries list or the Servers map:

Click on the nodes on the map or the specific country in the list to connect to the best server in the given location. Additionally, clicking on the three dots next to the country name reveals additional connection options, such as selecting a specific city.

NordVPN settings menu:

You can customize the application in the Settings tab. Press the cogwheel icon in the bottom left corner to open the settings menu. 



After opening the settings, you will see seven different settings sections. Below, you will find an explanation of each section.

General:

• Launch at Windows startup: makes NordVPN run automatically when you start your computer—enabled by default.
• Launch the app minimised to the system tray, which 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: show Windows notifications when connecting or disconnecting a server. Enabled by default.
• Download location for Meshnet transfers: configuring this option sets the default folder to which the NordVPN application downloads files from Meshnet file transfers.
• Appearance: lets you choose your preferred theme for the NordVPN application.
• Language: The dropdown lets you select your preferred language for the NordVPN app.
• Help us improve: by sending us aggregated anonymous data for future improvement analysis.
• Diagnostics: run 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.
• Allow background processes: to let the NordVPN application run after closing the app. 
  
  
  
  

Connection:

• VPN protocol: this setting allows you to change protocols, from NordLynx to OpenVPN (UDP). The default is Auto, because this protocol tries to find the best protocol automatically for you.
• Post-quantum encryption: Post-quantum encryption protects your VPN connection against potential quantum computer attacks. You can visit our article, which explains Post-quantum encryption in more detail.
• Auto-connect: lets you select your preferred country or server type, to which the app will automatically connect. After you choose a preferred country, you can select a specific city.
  
  On all networks: connects you automatically, no matter your network.
  Wi-Fi networks: You are connected automatically only when using a Wi-Fi network.
  On Ethernet: connects you automatically when using Ethernet.
   
• Trusted Wi-Fi networks: disable Auto-connect on specific Wi-Fi networks. If you trust your home Wi-Fi, you can make an exception.
• VPN connection after quitting the app: This option allows you to specify whether you would still like to stay connected to a VPN after turning off the NordVPN application.
• The Custom DNS feature lets you specify a particular DNS server for the NordVPN application to use while connected instead of our servers.
  NOTE: This can cause website issues, as it turns off our SmartPlay feature.
• Stay invisible on LAN: This feature makes your computer invisible to others on the same local area network (LAN). Once enabled, you cannot connect to devices on the same network, like printers. The feature is off by default.
• Allow remote access while connected to VPN: to access your Windows device remotely. Disabled by default.
  
  NOTE: You will lose internet connectivity while connected to a Trusted Wi-Fi with an enabled Internet Kill Switch.
  
  
  
  

Kill Switch:

• The Internet Kill Switch cuts off your internet connection when disconnected from secure NordVPN servers. You can configure it to turn off even if you disconnect the VPN manually, but the feature is off by default.
• The App Kill Switch shuts down specified programs if you lose a VPN connection. For example, if you add Steam 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. The feature is off by default.
  
  
  
  

Split Tunneling:

Split tunneling allows you to exclude applications from the VPN connection. In other words, the apps you select to add to the split tunneling feature will enable them to stay unaffected by NordVPN. You can visit our guide on the Split tunneling feature to learn more about it.

Profile:

• The Subscription button allows you to manage your subscription, cancel its auto-renewal, or resubscribe.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security feature that helps protect account access. When MFA is on, you must complete an extra step during the login process. 
• Pressing Get NordVPN for all your devices will show you tutorials on installing NordVPN and staying protected all the time on the operating systems we support.
  
  
  
  

Refer a friend:

It provides your personal referral link, which you can share with your friends and family, and receive a reward for. Visit our website to learn more about how to earn a NordVPN subscription by referring a friend.

Discover other Nord products:

This menu shows you other NordVPN products, such as Saily, NordPass, NordLocker, and NordLayer services, each offering different solutions to staying encrypted and protected.