Proton VPN Download for Windows 11 & 10 – Free & Secure VPN

Proton VPN Download for Windows 11 & 10 – Free & Secure VPN

Download Proton VPN for Windows 11 and Windows 10 to encrypt your internet connection, change your public IP address, and use privacy features such as Kill Switch, WireGuard, Secure Core, and leak protection.

Proton VPN is a privacy-focused VPN service that helps protect your internet connection by encrypting traffic between your Windows PC and a Proton VPN server. When connected, websites normally see the VPN server’s IP address instead of the public IP address exposed by your regular internet connection.

The official Proton VPN Windows app supports Windows 11 and supported 64-bit versions of Windows 10. Proton provides a free plan with no data limit as well as paid plans with additional servers and advanced features.

The Windows application supports features including Kill Switch, Secure Core, WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth, Smart Protocol, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, NetShield, and VPN Accelerator depending on the selected plan.

In this guide, you will learn how to download Proton VPN safely, install it on Windows, connect to a VPN server, compare Free and paid plans, understand its privacy features, choose VPN protocols, and troubleshoot common connection problems.

Proton VPN Download – Quick Overview

What Is Proton VPN?

Proton VPN is a virtual private network service developed by Proton, the privacy-focused company behind services including Proton Mail.

When you connect to Proton VPN, internet traffic between your device and the VPN server travels through an encrypted VPN tunnel. This can provide additional privacy, particularly when using networks you do not fully trust.

A VPN can help prevent your internet service provider from directly seeing the websites and services your device communicates with through the VPN tunnel, while websites normally see the VPN server’s IP address rather than your usual public IP address.

Which Proton VPN Version Should You Download?

Proton provides separate Windows downloads for conventional x64 computers and compatible ARM64 Windows devices.

To check your PC, open Settings → System → About → System type. This shows whether Windows is using an x64-based or ARM-based processor.

Do not randomly install a different architecture if you are unsure. Check your System type first.

Proton VPN Windows System Support

Proton’s current lifecycle information lists Windows 11 as supported and Windows 10 64-bit build 19045 as supported. Windows 10 builds 19041–19044 are deprecated.

• Windows 11: Supported
• Windows 10 64-bit build 19045: Supported
• Windows 10 builds 19041–19044: Deprecated

Build 19045 corresponds to Windows 10 version 22H2. For the best security, keep both Windows and Proton VPN updated.

How to Install Proton VPN on Windows

Installing the official Proton VPN app takes only a few minutes.

Step 1: Download Proton VPN

Visit Proton’s official Windows download page and choose the correct installer for your PC.

Step 2: Open the Installer

Locate the downloaded .exe file and double-click it. Windows may display a User Account Control prompt asking permission to make changes.

Confirm that you downloaded the installer from Proton before selecting Yes.

Step 3: Select Your Language

The Proton VPN installation wizard will open. Choose your preferred language and continue.

Step 4: Continue Through Setup

You can use the default Start menu folder or choose another location. The installer may also offer other Proton applications available with your plan. Deselect any applications you do not want.

Step 5: Install Proton VPN

Review the installation choices, select Install, and wait while Windows completes the installation.

Step 6: Launch Proton VPN

After setup finishes, Proton VPN should launch automatically. Sign in to your Proton account to continue.

Create a Proton VPN Account

You need a Proton account to use the Proton VPN application. New users can create a free account, while existing Proton users—including Proton Mail users—can sign in using their existing credentials.

Use a strong, unique password for your Proton account and enable two-factor authentication where appropriate.

How to Connect to Proton VPN

After signing in, you can use the application’s automatic connection option to connect to an appropriate available server or manually choose a location and server available under your plan.

Once connected, Proton VPN shows that the VPN connection is active. Traffic between your device and the VPN server is encrypted, and websites normally see the VPN server’s public IP address.

Proton VPN Main Interface

The Windows application is designed to make common VPN tasks accessible without requiring users to manually configure a VPN connection.

Proton VPN Free Plan

One of Proton VPN’s major differences from many VPN providers is that it offers an official free VPN service.

According to Proton, its free plan includes:

• No data limits
• No activity logs
• No privacy-invading ads
• Access to free VPN servers
• Core privacy and security features

This makes Proton VPN Free suitable for users who need basic VPN protection but do not require the full server selection and premium features.

Proton VPN Free vs Paid

Free Plan Is Suitable If You:

• Need basic VPN privacy
• Use a VPN occasionally
• Do not want a monthly data allowance
• Do not require advanced server selection
• Want to try Proton VPN before paying

A Paid Plan Makes More Sense If You:

• Need more server locations
• Want higher-performance server options
• Need P2P support
• Want NetShield
• Need Secure Core
• Want split tunneling
• Need additional advanced VPN features

You do not need a paid plan simply to start using Proton VPN on Windows.

Proton VPN Protocols

VPN protocols determine how your device establishes and maintains its encrypted VPN connection.

WireGuard

WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol designed around simplicity and performance. For many users, it offers a good balance between speed and security.

OpenVPN

Proton VPN supports OpenVPN connections, including UDP and TCP modes. OpenVPN is mature and widely supported.

Stealth

Stealth is designed to make VPN traffic harder to identify as VPN traffic, which may help in environments where VPN connections are restricted or blocked.

Smart Protocol

If you do not know which protocol to choose, you normally do not need to manually select one. Proton’s Smart Protocol can choose an appropriate VPN protocol based on the connection environment.

For ordinary users, leaving protocol selection automatic is usually the easiest option.

Kill Switch, Secure Core, NetShield & Split Tunneling

Kill Switch

Kill Switch is one of the most important privacy features in a VPN. If your VPN connection unexpectedly drops, your PC could otherwise return to its normal internet connection and expose its regular public IP address.

Proton VPN’s Kill Switch can block network access when the VPN connection fails until the protected VPN connection is restored.

Advanced Kill Switch

Advanced Kill Switch goes further by preventing your Windows PC from connecting to the internet unless Proton VPN is connected, including after a system restart.

Secure Core

Secure Core is an eligible paid-plan privacy feature that routes your VPN connection through additional hardened Proton infrastructure before traffic exits the VPN network.

Proton states that Secure Core infrastructure includes locations in privacy-friendly countries such as Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden.

Secure Core can increase latency because the connection travels through additional servers, so not every user needs it enabled all the time.

NetShield Ad-Blocker

NetShield is available with eligible paid Proton VPN plans. It uses DNS filtering to block requests to domains associated with malware and, depending on the selected mode, can also block ads and online trackers.

NetShield should not be treated as a replacement for keeping Windows, your browser, and security software updated.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling controls which applications or IP addresses use the VPN connection.

Proton VPN for Windows supports both:

• Exclude mode: Selected applications or IP addresses bypass the VPN.
• Include mode: Only selected applications or IP addresses use the VPN.

Split tunneling is currently a paid feature.

VPN Accelerator

VPN connections can become slower when the selected VPN server is geographically far away. Proton provides VPN Accelerator technology on eligible paid plans to improve VPN performance, particularly over long-distance connections.

Actual VPN speed still depends on factors including:

• Your original internet connection
• Distance to the VPN server
• Server load
• VPN protocol
• Network congestion
• Your device

No VPN can guarantee the same speed for every user or network.

DNS and IPv6 Leak Protection

A VPN should not protect ordinary web traffic while accidentally exposing DNS requests or your real IP address through another network path.

Proton lists DNS and IPv6 leak protection among the security features of its Windows application.

Proton VPN No-Logs Policy

Proton describes its VPN service as a no-logs VPN and states that it does not keep activity logs that identify what users do online.

A VPN provider occupies an important position of trust, so users should consider its privacy policy, technical design, jurisdiction, transparency, and security practices rather than selecting a VPN solely because of advertising claims.

Open-Source Windows App

The Proton VPN Windows application is open source. This allows security researchers and technically capable users to inspect its source code.

Open source does not automatically guarantee that software has no vulnerabilities, but it provides additional transparency compared with software whose client code cannot be publicly inspected.

Proton VPN and Public Wi-Fi

A VPN can be particularly useful when using hotel, airport, café, or other networks you do not fully trust. Proton VPN encrypts traffic between your Windows device and the VPN server.

VPN protection should complement these security practices rather than replace them.

Can Proton VPN Make the Internet Faster?

Usually, a VPN introduces at least some networking overhead because traffic must be encrypted and routed through a VPN server.

Sometimes a particular VPN route can perform better than an inefficient normal route, but users should not install a VPN primarily as an internet speed booster.

For Better VPN Performance

1. Connect to a nearby server.
2. Use automatic or Smart Protocol selection.
3. Try WireGuard where appropriate.
4. Avoid Secure Core when maximum speed is more important.
5. Check whether your original internet connection is already slow.

Proton VPN Not Connecting – Troubleshooting

VPN connection problems can be caused by Proton VPN, Windows, your local network, firewall configuration, or restrictions imposed by the network you are using.

1. Check Your Internet Without the VPN

Disconnect Proton VPN temporarily and verify that your normal internet connection works. If the internet does not work without the VPN, Proton VPN may not be the cause.

2. Try Another Server

The selected server may temporarily be busy or unavailable. Disconnect and connect to another available server.

3. Change VPN Protocol

If the network blocks or interferes with one VPN protocol, another may work. Try Smart Protocol first or test another supported protocol when necessary.

4. Restart Proton VPN

Close the application completely, reopen it, and try connecting again.

5. Restart Windows

Restarting Windows can resolve temporary networking, adapter, firewall, and VPN-service problems.

6. Check the Windows Clock

An incorrect Windows system clock can cause VPN connection errors. Make sure your Windows date, time, and time zone settings are correct.

7. Update Proton VPN

Use the latest stable Proton VPN version so you receive current fixes and improvements.

8. Check Windows Security or Firewall Settings

Security software or unusually restrictive firewall settings can sometimes interfere with VPN connections.

Proton VPN Connected but No Internet

If Proton VPN says it is connected but websites do not load:

1. Disconnect and reconnect.
2. Try another server.
3. Try another VPN protocol.
4. Restart Proton VPN.
5. Restart Windows.
6. Check DNS and network settings.
7. Temporarily test another network.
8. Check Kill Switch settings.

If Advanced Kill Switch is active, Windows is intentionally prevented from accessing the internet outside an active Proton VPN connection.

Proton VPN Won’t Start

Restart Windows first. If the application still does not open:

• Install available Windows updates
• Update or reinstall Proton VPN from Proton
• Confirm your Windows version is supported
• Check whether required Windows networking services are running

Proton’s Windows documentation notes that the Base Filtering Engine (BFE) is required by its Windows application.

Avoid downloading random DLL files or unofficial “VPN repair” tools from third-party websites.

Proton VPN Is Slow

Some reduction in speed is normal when using a VPN. If performance is unusually poor:

• Choose a geographically closer server
• Disconnect from heavily loaded servers
• Try Smart Protocol or WireGuard
• Disable Secure Core when you do not need it
• Test your connection without the VPN
• Restart your router if the underlying connection is slow
• Use Ethernet or strong Wi-Fi where possible

Proton VPN Keeps Disconnecting

Frequent disconnections can result from unstable Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots, network changes, VPN protocol restrictions, or other connectivity problems.

Try another Proton VPN server, another protocol, a more stable network, updating Proton VPN, or restarting Windows and your router.

How to Uninstall Proton VPN

Windows 11

Go to Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Proton VPN → ⋯ → Uninstall.

Windows 10

Go to Start → Settings → Apps → Apps & features → Proton VPN → Uninstall.

Is Proton VPN Safe?

Proton VPN includes several features designed to protect VPN connections, including Kill Switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, multiple VPN protocols, Secure Core, and an open-source Windows application.

However, a VPN does not automatically protect you from:

• Phishing
• Malicious downloads
• Weak passwords
• Account compromise
• Browser tracking while logged in
• Scams
• Malware you intentionally install

If you also want a Windows malware scanner and cleanup tool, see our Malwarebytes Download for Windows guide.

Safe Download – Important

Because VPN software handles network traffic, you should be especially careful about where you download it. Always use the official Proton VPN Windows download page.

There is no reason to use a modified version because Proton already provides an official free VPN plan.

ABDNOVA does not host cracked or modified Proton VPN installers. Our download button directs visitors to Proton’s official Windows download source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Proton VPN is a strong option for Windows users who want a privacy-focused VPN without being required to purchase a subscription immediately.

Its free plan with no data limit, combined with an open-source Windows application, Kill Switch, modern VPN protocols, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy provides the main features needed for ordinary VPN use.

Users who need additional locations and advanced functionality can compare paid plans with features such as Secure Core, NetShield, split tunneling, P2P support, and VPN Accelerator.

For most users, the simplest setup is to install Proton’s official Windows application, sign in, leave Smart Protocol enabled, and connect to an appropriate server. Advanced features can then be enabled only when required.

Most importantly, download Proton VPN directly from Proton rather than using modified or unofficial installers.