How to Configure Windows 10 Proxy Settings

One of the nicest things about Windows is its customizable aspects.

Now, it’s definitely no Linux.

But it still allows you to tweak a fair bit of its options. Today, we’ll look at how you can modify the Windows 10 proxy settings.

But why do that at all?

For instance, you might use a proxy server to connect to the internet and get an increased layer of security. Another reason might be saving bandwidth by compressing incoming traffic. 

Regardless of your motivations, Windows 10 has a specific Proxy setting menu just for you.

How to Find Windows 10 Proxy Settings?

Luckily, Windows 10 has made it quite easy to tweak your OS’ proxy settings. In fact, there’s a multitude of ways to do so.

Windows Setting App

You can access the Windows Settings app by clicking the cogwheel icon above the power button in the Start menu. You’ll see a screen with a bunch of options. Click Network & Internet.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll see the Proxy menu at the bottom left of the sidebar.

Your Windows proxy settings are divided into two sections – automatic and manual setup. By default, your system should be set to automatically detect settings. But you can turn that off and input your own script address.

Then there’s the manual setup.

Using it requires the exact IP address and port of the Windows proxy server in question. Below the Address and Port fields, there’s a custom exceptions field. Addresses you input there’ll be excluded from using the proxy server.

Windows Control Panel

If you’re on an older Windows version, the Control Panel is your best friend for accessing the proxy settings.

Here’s how to do that:

Upon opening the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet. Then, select Internet Options. This will take you to a window that looks like this:

To access the internet proxy settings, simply go to the Connections tab and click LAN settings. You’ll see another box pop up.

Now, there should be a box saying Use a proxy server for your LAN. If it’s unchecked, make sure to enable it. This will allow you to click the Advanced button.

You’ll see yet another window with a bunch of input fields. This is where you enter the parameters of your proxy server. Below that, there’s an exceptions field just like before.

From Web Browser

The third way of accessing your computer’s proxy menu is via a browser.

First, head into your browser’s settings. For Chrome and most other apps, click the menu button right under the X. Then select Settings.

In the settings menu, you’ll see a search bar.

Simply type in “proxy,” and you should see the relevant result pop-up right away:

Clicking Open your computer’s proxy settings will take you directly to the built-in Windows proxy settings.

How to Change Proxy Settings in Windows 10

So you’ve found the proxy settings menu. Great!

Now what?

As we mentioned, Windows is quite customizable. So, let’s see what you can do.

Automatic Configuration Script

Windows 10 can automatically set up your proxy server; you only need to give it a setup script.

Here’s how that works:

First, go to the Proxy menu in the Windows 10 settings app. There, you’ll see the Automatic proxy setup section at the top. You need to enable the Use setup script toggle and then input the script address in the field below.

This will automatically set up your proxy server for Windows 10. After you’ve entered the script address, simply click on Save, and you’re good to go.

Manual Network Configuration

In case you want more control over your setup process, worry not.

Right underneath the automatic setup in the Windows 10 settings is a section called Manual proxy setup. There, you can input the proxy server’s exact IP address and port number.

Is that all?

No. Control panel offers even greater customization options. You can also specify a separate proxy address for each connection type. That way, you can have one server dealing with HTTP connections and a different one for SOCKS.

Change from Web Browser

Chrome has a menu button that simply redirects you to your computer’s settings app. But some web browsers, like Mozilla Firefox, have a custom menu separate from your OS’ proxy settings.

What can you do with it?

For one, you can tell it to operate with Windows’ default system configuration. But if you want your browser to use separate settings, you can do that too.

You can create manual proxy configurations and enter your own IP address and port. And just like with Windows’ manual network configuration, you can specify different servers for different purposes.

With that being said…

Not every browser has these settings available. Firefox and Safari do have custom proxy settings, but Chrome and other Chromium-based apps like Edge don’t.

How to Disable Proxy in Windows 10

Disabling the proxy settings in Windows 10 is straightforward:

• Open the Windows 10 Settings app
• Navigate to Network & Internet
• Click on Proxy
• Scroll down to Manual proxy setup
• Disable Use a proxy server
• Click Save

If you have a web browser with its own proxy settings, make sure it’s using the default system settings. This applies to non-Chromium browsers like Firefox and Safari. Otherwise, the web browser’s settings will override the Windows 10 system parameters.

Wrap Up

By now, you should know the many ways to tweak the Windows 10 proxy settings. The easiest way to do it is via the Windows 10 Settings app. If you’re on an older OS, Control Panel is also an option.

Setting up a proxy server can have its advantages, whether it’s for extra security or conserving bandwidth.

Whatever your reason may be, rest assured Windows has you covered.