If you’re looking for a proxy server that will help you access blocked websites and unblock streaming content, you can look up free proxy server lists on Google.
Here’s how to set it up on your Windows 10 computer:


1. Go to proxy settings
2. Turn on Use a proxy server
3. Specify the Address and Port of the proxy server
4. If you want to exclude certain websites from the proxy, write them down in the box below
5. To exclude LAN addresses from the proxy, check the Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses option
6. Click Save
If Windows 10 fails in its attempts to connect to the proxy, get started by checking your Internet settings. But there are also other simple solutions you can try.
A proxy server has low security and barely works as an Internet circumvention tool. It’s slow, crowded because it’s used by thousands of other users like yourself, and won’t protect your online privacy.
If you’re a privacy-concerned individual, consider investing in a premium VPN service. Compared to a proxy server, a VPN has superior security and geo-blocking features.
Here are the exact steps for your Windows 10 laptop or desktop:


- Sign up for a VPN subscription plan (we recommend PIA)
- Follow the email instructions to download and install PIA for Windows 10
- Launch the PIA VPN client
- Press the big power button to connect
We suggest using Private Internet Access because it’s the best in the business. It encrypts all data traffic flowing in and out of your PC.
That’s because the desktop client covers all Internet-enabled applications: web browsers, email clients, torrenting clients, Steam games, and everything else.
Plus, if you want to redirect your VPN traffic through a secondary location, you can use Shadowsocks or configure a SOCKS5 proxy without having to resort to a separate software application.
These are two aspects that make PIA stand out because Windows 10 doesn’t natively support SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks.
More about PIA:
- A zero-logging privacy policy
- Split tunneling and kill switch
- Unblock Netflix US, HBO Max, Peacock
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)
- Pay with a credit card, PayPal, or crypto


Private Internet Access
Use a reliable VPN like PIA instead of a proxy server to encrypt all your data and make yourself anonymous.
Conclusion
To recap, you can easily configure proxy settings on your Windows 10 computer in automatic or manual mode, without having to install any additional software.
However, unless you received explicit instructions from your ISP or system admin, you need to get old of proxy connection details from somewhere else.
Instead, we suggest opting for a premium VPN like Private Internet Access (buy here). It’s built to protect your online privacy, defend your router from hackers, unblock streaming media that’s not available in your country, and more.
Without a doubt, Private Internet Access is the best VPN for Windows 10.
This post was written by Elena Constantinescu and was first posted to WindowsReport