Proxy Settings are quite important these days and play a vital role in protecting you from various kinds of malware and improving your broadband connection all along.

These settings allow browsers to know about the intermediary server’s network address used between the internet connection and browser on a few local networks.

The good thing is that Windows 10 offers built-in settings of Global Proxy in its operating system that lets your PC communicate with various servers, devices, and services.

Now, you must be thinking about what a proxy server really does. Well, it retrieves information from the internet for its users and offers it to them.

Are Proxies Advantageous?

The advantage of using a proxy server is that it encrypts your IP address and makes your activity anonymous. Furthermore, it offers reliable speeds as it stores all the data and caches in a centralized database.

Even with these benefits, let us tell you that proxies can sometimes be quite unreliable. So, if you’re looking for a long-term solution for staying private, then we suggest you opt for a virtual private network instead.

VPNs are safer and offer a much more secure connection. They create an encrypted tunnel between your internet connection and the site you’re visiting, keeping you completely safe while you’re at it.

But, you must be wondering, what is the best VPN for Windows 10?

Well, there are thousands of VPNs in the cyber industry. However, it’s quite significant that you opt for the one offering a variety of security features like AES 256-bit encryption, no logs, kill switch, split tunneling, and more. Furthermore, make sure that the VPN works effortlessly with Windows 10.

Other than that, ensure that the VPN you select can efficiently unblock geo-restricted websites for you. So, in case you’re too bored and tired of the content your country offers to you, you can alter your region and access a streaming service that is unavailable in your country.

How Can You Configure a Proxy Server on Your Windows 10 Computer?

Above, we’ve mentioned all the pros and cons of using a proxy server and informed how VPNs have more edge when it comes to accessing blocked sites and staying anonymous on the internet.

However, if you’re convinced about using a proxy for yourself, then here is how you can easily configure a proxy server on your Windows 10:

1. Automatic setup of proxy:

If you’ve already communicated with your system administrator or internet service provider about setting up a proxy on your Windows 10, then here are the steps you require following:

1. Press the Start button on your Windows 10.
2. Type Proxy and tap on Proxy Settings.
3. Turn on the toggle of Automatically detect settings.
4. If you already have the URL of a proxy, then enter that in the Script Address box and click Save.

Sometimes, Windows might fail to detect the proxy settings. If that’s the case, then simply go through a troubleshooting guide to fix this issue.

2. Manual setup of proxy:

If your sole purpose to get a proxy server is unblocking geo-restricted services and accessing blocked sites, then what you need to do is Google the list of free proxy sites and choose one for yourself.

Once you’ve selected one, here is how you can configure it on your Windows 10 PC:

1. Visit the proxy settings and enable Use a proxy server.
2. You’ll be required to specify the Port and Address of the proxy.
3. In case you wish to exclude a few websites from the proxy, mention them in the box given below.
4. Tickmark the Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses box to exclude LAN addresses from the proxy server.
5. Press Save once you’re done with everything.

3. Opt for a virtual private network (VPN):

If you’re about to use a proxy server as a tool that will help you circumvent geo-restrictions, then let us reiterate that it’ll be useless to opt for it.

While Proxy vs. VPN is an ongoing argument for years, proxy servers do not keep you secure and are quite slow due to traffic overload. If you’re concerned about your privacy, then you should try opting for a VPN service.

If compared to a proxy, a VPN does a better job at keeping you safe and protected at all times.

Here is how you can set up a VPN on Windows 10:

1. Subscribe to the best Windows 10 VPN.
2. Install its application on your Windows device.
3. Launch the app and log in.
4. Connect to a server you prefer and you’re good to go!

Finals Thoughts

Well, it’s not difficult to set a proxy server up using the automatic or manual method without the need to download an additional piece of software.

We suggest that you get rid of the previously configured proxy server and get hold of the latest one unless your ISP has told you otherwise.

But, instead of using a proxy server, we still suggest you get hold of a virtual private network and make the most of it; protect yourself from hackers, snooping of your ISP, and access geo-restricted websites easily.