How to (Easily) Set Up a Proxy in Windows?

Today I want to teach you how to configure a proxy on Windows! Very useful for many different use cases.

As you probably know, a proxy server is an intermediary between your Windows computer and the online world. Here’s how it works: Whenever I try to visit a website through my web browser, if I’ve configured it to go through a proxy server, my request goes to that proxy server first. The proxy server reaches out to the website on my behalf. Once it grabs the website’s homepage or any page I want to see, it sends it back to me. This way, the proxy server acts as an intermediary, handling my requests to the Internet and bringing me the requested information.

Setting up a proxy on Windows is simple. You can configure key settings using the Settings application. Follow the instructions below to set up your proxy server settings.

Prerequisite to Use Proxy Server in Windows

When considering setting up a proxy server, buying a Windows VPS can be a smart choice. If you’re setting up the proxy manually, you’ll need to gather some key info about it: the IP address, port number, and any login details like a username and password.

Make sure that your Windows version supports proxy functionality. Usually, all current versions of Windows — like Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 — support Proxy settings.

Remember, you’ll need administrative access on your Windows device to set up the proxy server. That’s crucial for getting everything up and running smoothly.

Setting Up a Proxy Server in Windows

There are different ways to set up a proxy server on Windows: automated, script, or manual methods.

Automatic Configuration

Open the Start menu and click on the Settings (gear icon).
In Settings, select “Network & Internet.”

3. Choose “Proxy” from the left panel.

4. Once in the proxy settings, click on “Network Proxy” (for Windows 8/10).

5. Make sure to turn on “Use a Proxy Server” at the bottom of Manual Setup and switch on the “Automatically detect settings” toggle.

6. When you turn on the desired options, Windows will check if the local or business network is set up for the proxy server automatically.

7. If Windows finds the PAC file, switch the “Use Setup Script” option to On in the Automatic Proxy Setup. If you’ve already set up the PAC proxy in Windows, the system can now locate the PAC file.

8. Find the PAC file path in the “Script Address” section, and then type this address into the empty field.

9. Click on Save to apply the changes.

That’s it! You’ve successfully configured the proxy server in Windows.

Manual Set up of the Proxy Server

If automatic setup didn’t work, here’s how to add the proxy manually in Windows:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
Scroll down to find “Manual proxy setup.”
Turn on “Use a Proxy Server.”
Enter the proxy server name and IP address.
Type the port number of the proxy server in the port field.

6. If a password is set for the proxy server’s security, choose “Proxy server requires a password.”

7. Enter the Username and Password.

8. Click “Save.”

Now, your Windows system is set up to use a proxy server as a gateway for your internet connections.

Access Proxy Settings through the Windows Control Panel

Go to the Start menu and click on “Control Panel.”
Look for “Internet options” and select it.

3. Go to Connections, then LAN Settings.

Check Proxy Settings through the Windows Registry Editor

To view proxy settings using the Windows registry editor, follow these steps:

Press the “Start” button and “R” at the same time.
Type “Regedit” and hit Enter.
In the Registry Editor window, choose HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Internet Settings.

Look for entries labeled “ProxyServer” or “AutoConfigURL.” You can see their values by double-clicking on them.

That’s it! You can now view proxy settings using the Windows registry editor.

Tips to Create a Proxy on Windows

Windows, especially Windows 10, can detect proxy settings automatically. This makes automatic configuration a good choice if you’re unsure about the type of proxy server or its IP address.
If automatic detection fails, you’ll need to set up a script, which you can do by providing the address of the proxy script.
If you’re unsure about the proxy setup details, like the script address, server name, or IP address, contact your organization’s IT department for assistance.
Ensure that firewall settings allow communication through the proxy server ports if you’re using a firewall.
Verify that the source of the proxy server is trustworthy.
Understand how the proxy manages your data and what information it might expose.

Final Words

Proxy servers help protect our online activities and identity on the internet. When we use public Wi-Fi, like in cafes or airports, a proxy server keeps our stuff, like bank details and private photos, safe from people trying to spy on us.

This guide shows you how to set up a proxy server on Windows. However, the steps might be slightly different depending on which version of Windows you’re using.

Remember that some software might need extra steps or other software to set up its proxy settings.