Microsoft Edge now includes a free virtual private network (VPN) service, and in this guide, you will learn the steps to enable and configure it on Windows 11 (or 10). A VPN is one of the most common ways to hide your IP address by letting a service redirect your traffic through a specially configured remote server. When you connect to a VPN server, the connection between your device and service will be encrypted, and the VPN server becomes the source for anyone else, protecting you from hackers on unsecured networks and minimizing online tracking.
On Windows 11 (and 10), the Canary version of Microsoft Edge allows you to turn on a new VPN service thatâs free for the first 5GB per month (30-day period). The feature is provided in partnership with Cloudflare and offers two options. The âOptimizedâ option enables the secure network automatically when you are in a public wireless or unsecured network or when you visit a site without a valid certificate. And the âSelect Sitesâ option allows you to specify which websites you want to use the VPN. This option is handy when you want to access content that has location restrictions, such as Netflix.
This guide will teach you the steps to enable and configure the built-in VPN feature available on Microsoft Edge.
- Enable VPN on Microsoft Edge
- Configure VPN on Microsoft Edge
Enable VPN on Microsoft Edge
To enable the VPN feature on Microsoft Edge, use these steps:
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Open Microsoft Edge.
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Click on Settings and more (three-dots) button and click on Settings.
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Click on Privacy, search, and services.
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Under the âSecurityâ section, turn on the âMicrosoft Edge Secure Networkâ toggle switch to enable the VPN feature.
Quick note: You must be signed with your Microsoft account within the browser for the feature to work.
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Choose the âOptimizedâ option to enable VPN on a public network. (Streaming and video content wonât use the VPN service)
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Choose the âSelect Sitesâ option to enable VPN only on specified sites. (All other traffic will be routed outside the secure network.)
Once you complete the steps, the VPN will enable on public wireless or unsecured networks or when you visit a site without a valid certificate.
Microsoft Edge VPN on address bar
You will also notice a new shield icon in the top-right corner, where you can quickly access the feature. If youâre not signed in with your Microsoft account in the browser, you can use this option to log in.
Configure VPN on Microsoft Edge
To configure the VPN feature to enable on specific sites only, use these steps:
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Open Microsoft Edge.
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Click on Settings and more (three-dots) button and click on Settings.
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Click on Privacy, search, and services.
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Under the âMicrosoft Edge Secure Networkâ section, choose the âSelect Sitesâ option.
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Click on âManage Secure Network settings.â
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Click the âAdd a siteâ button for the âAlways use Secure Network for the sites you chooseâ setting.
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Confirm the site name.
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Click the Add button.
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Repeat steps 6 through 8 to include other websites in the list.
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(Optional) Click the âAdd a siteâ button for the âNever use Secure Network for the sites you chooseâ setting.
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Confirm the site name.
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Click the Add button.
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Repeat steps 9 through 12 to include other websites in the list.
After you complete the steps, the built-in VPN feature on Microsoft Edge will only enable for websites you specified on the list.
Initially, the company provided 1GB of VPN data per month, then it increased the limit to 15GB and then settled for 5GB. At the time of this writing, itâs unclear if the software giant will offer an option to purchase additional VPN data or if the limit will increase for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
Source: Pureinfotech