How to make Windows 10/11 connect to VPN before login

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6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

If you’re interested in protecting your online privacy and digital identity, you can makeWindows 10 automatically connect to a VPNas soon as you turn on your computer. However, this happens only after youlog inwith yourWindowsaccount.

Connecting to aVPNas soon as the Internet connection is established is a much safer solution, especially if you typically use a public, unprotected Wi-Fi at work, at a restaurant, or while traveling.

In that case, it’s a better idea to makeWindows10 connect to theVPNbeforeloginsince it provides a higher level of protection against hackers and other Internet dangers.

Check out our step-by-step instructions below to find out how to auto-connect to aVPNbefore signing into yourWindows10 PC. Although you can do this without having to install any additional software, we suggest getting a premiumVPNsubscription for better privacy and security.

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How do I make Windows 10 connect to VPN before login?

Add a VPN connection

Don’t know what VPN details to add? Discover how to create a VPN connection in Windows 10.

Create a BAT file

*If the file formats are not displayed, you mustshow file extensions in Windows 10to be able to change them.

Create and schedule a task

*You can find out everything about theWindows 10 Task Schedulerto master this application.

At every system startup, Windows 10 will connect to the VPN before logon. To disconnect, you just have to press theNetwork iconin the systray, select the VPN connection, and pressDisconnect.

To temporarily disable the task, open the Task Scheduler app, select the task, right-click it, and pressDisable. To permanently remove it, pressDeleteinstead ofDisable. You can also edit the task settings.

However, keep in mind that, if you wish to use a different VPN server, you must manually edit the VPN connection details in Windows 10 (atStep 1, where you added the VPN connection).

If you also change the VPN connection name, username or password, then you also have to update the BAT file you created (atStep 2after updating the VPN profile in Windows 10).

How about connecting to a VPN client before logon?

Unfortunately, using Task Scheduler to schedule a VPN client to run before logon doesn’t work the same way as scheduling a manual VPN connection. Regardless of the settings configuration in Task Scheduler, a VPN client can’t run earlier than logon.

However, you can obtain the manual connection details of your VPN service to create a connection using theWindows 10 built-in VPN provider, such asPrivate Internet Access. Then, by following the instructions we provided above, you can make Windows 10 connect to the VPN before login.

Why use Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA)is a premium virtual private network solution and thebest VPN for Windows 10. A product of Kape Technologies, PIA can hide your IP address, encrypt your entire network traffic, and keep you safe from hackers.

Furthermore, unlike Windows 10 that offers native support for few VPN protocols, PIA includes OpenVPN and WireGuard, which offer the best security features for your computer.

You also use nativeport forwardingwithout having to configure router settings, as well as set up an emergency kill switch to preserve your online anonymity.

Additionally, PIA supports exclusive DNS servers, up to 10 simultaneous device connections, split-tunneling mode, together with a malware andad blocker.

It’s compatible with all major platforms, has a user-friendly interface, and provides manual configuration settings for OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and SOCKS.

More about PIA:

Private Internet Access

To sum up, you can make Windows 10 connect to a VPN before login if you manuallycreate a VPN connectionand add its details to theTask Scheduler.

In older Windows versions, it was also possible to view the VPN connections on the logon screen and choose to connect or not (including Windows 8). But it doesn’t seem to work on Windows 10 anymore.

Nevertheless, by using the workaround we described above, you can instruct Windows 10 to automatically connect to a VPN before you get the chance to sign in with your user credentials.

To maximize security, though, we recommend signing up for a premium subscription service likePIAand obtaining the manual configuration settings for PPTP or L2TP. PIA’s VPN servers facilitate a higher level of security for your home PC.

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How to make Windows 10/11 connect to VPN before login#

How do I make Windows 10 connect to VPN before login?#

Add a VPN connection#

Create a BAT file#

Create and schedule a task#

How about connecting to a VPN client before logon?#

Why use Private Internet Access#

Private Internet Access#