- To enable VPN mode on Microsoft Edge, open Settings > Privacy, search, and services, turn on “Microsoft Edge Secure Network,” and choose “Optimized.”
- You can also turn on the VPN mode only on specific websites with the “Manage Secure Network sites” option.
- Microsoft offers 5GB per month of free VPN for users logged in with a Microsoft account.
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 that’s free for the first 5GB per month (30-day period). The feature is provided in partnership with Cloudflare and offers two options. The “Optimized” 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 “Select Sites” 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
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 “Security” section, turn on the “Microsoft Edge Secure Network” 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. -
Choose the “Optimized” option to enable VPN on a public network. (Streaming and video content won’t use the VPN service)
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Choose the “Select Sites” 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.
You will also notice a new shield icon in the top-right corner, where you can quickly access the feature. If you’re 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 “Microsoft Edge Secure Network” section, choose the “Select Sites” option.
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Click on “Manage Secure Network settings.”
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Click the “Add a site” button for the “Always use Secure Network for the sites you choose” 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 “Add a site” button for the “Never use Secure Network for the sites you choose” 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, it’s unclear if the software giant will offer an option to purchase additional VPN data or if the limit will increase for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].