Best VPN for Windows PC UK 2026
Whether you work from a Windows laptop on café Wi-Fi or game and stream on a desktop at home, these are the two VPNs we recommend for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows VPNs at a Glance
Windows has a built in VPN setting, but it is not a VPN service
The VPN page in Windows Settings only lets you connect to a VPN server you already have details for, such as a work network. It does not give you servers, encryption or privacy on its own. For everyday privacy you still need a VPN provider, and their own Windows apps are far easier to use than setting up connections by hand.
Our Top VPNs for Windows
Both providers offer a full Windows app with a kill switch, split tunnelling and the WireGuard based protocols they recommend, plus a 30 day money back guarantee.
NordVPN is our first choice for most Windows users. Its app is simple enough to use with one click, but it also includes the extras that matter on a PC: an internet kill switch that cuts your connection if the VPN drops, split tunnelling so you can leave chosen apps outside the VPN, and Threat Protection, which NordVPN says blocks malicious sites, trackers and adverts.
Why it suits Windows: NordLynx, NordVPN's WireGuard based protocol, is its recommended default, and the Windows app lets you pick a country, a city or a specialty server such as obfuscated servers for restrictive networks. One subscription covers up to 10 devices, so your phone and tablet are included too.
- ✓ Native app for Windows 10 and Windows 11
- ✓ Internet kill switch and app kill switch
- ✓ Split tunnelling for apps you want to keep off the VPN
- ✓ Threat Protection against malicious sites and trackers
- ✓ Up to 10 devices on one subscription
Surfshark is the one to pick if you have several PCs and laptops in the house, because a single subscription covers unlimited devices at the same time. Its Windows app includes a kill switch, CleanWeb to block adverts and malicious sites, and Bypasser, Surfshark's name for split tunnelling.
- ✓ Unlimited simultaneous devices, ideal for families and shared PCs
- ✓ Kill switch built into the Windows app
- ✓ Bypasser split tunnelling by app or by website
- ✓ CleanWeb blocks adverts, trackers and malicious sites
- ✓ Low long plan price (today's checked prices)
NordVPN vs Surfshark on Windows
| VPN | Price/mo | Kill switch | Split tunnelling | Ad and malware blocking | Devices | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Today's price | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Threat Protection | 10 | 30 days |
| Surfshark | Today's price | ✓ Yes | ✓ Bypasser | ✓ CleanWeb | Unlimited | 30 days |
Not sure which? Our full NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison goes through plans, apps and extras side by side.
How to Set Up a VPN on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Using the provider's own app is the quickest route and takes a few minutes:
Download the Windows app
Download the app from the provider's own website or the Microsoft Store, then run the installer and allow it to make changes when Windows asks.
Log in and turn on the kill switch
Sign in, open the settings and switch on the kill switch so nothing leaks if the connection drops. Leave the protocol on the provider's recommended setting.
Connect
Use quick connect for the best nearby server, or choose a UK server for UK sites and services. The app shows when you are protected.
Set it to start with Windows
Turn on the option to launch and connect automatically when Windows starts, so your laptop is protected the moment it joins a network.
Pro tip: Use split tunnelling for work apps
If your employer's software or a local printer misbehaves with the VPN on, add it to split tunnelling rather than switching the VPN off. Our split tunnelling guide explains how it works.
Why Use a VPN on a Windows PC?
Public Wi-Fi on a laptop
Trains, cafés, hotels and airports all offer free Wi-Fi, and you rarely know who runs it. A VPN encrypts everything your laptop sends, so other people on the network cannot see what you are doing. See our guide to using a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
Privacy from your broadband provider
Without a VPN, your internet provider can see which websites you visit. With one connected, it sees only that you are connected to a VPN server.
Streaming and travel
A VPN lets you connect to a UK server when you are abroad, which helps you reach your UK accounts and services while you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protect Your Windows PC Today
NordVPN for the best all round Windows app, or Surfshark to cover every device in the house. Both have a 30 day money back guarantee.
Affiliate links, we may earn a commission. Prices checked on each provider's own UK pricing page.