How to Set Up a Proxy Server on Windows 10 & 11

2. Configure Proxy settings. Windows has three ways to set up a proxy: automatically, by setting up a script, or manually.

Automatic proxy setup

While in Proxy settings, turn on Automatically detect settings.

When you enable this option, Windows will automatically detect authorized proxy server settings using the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD). Organizations authorize (impose) such settings on computers connected to their internal networks to restrict access and protect digital assets.

If you use a personal computer or want to add a proxy manually, turn this setting off.

Setting up a script

While in Proxy settings, enable Use setup script and enter an address. 

After clicking Save, the proxy configuration will be imported from a specified list.

Manual proxy setup

To configure a proxy manually, enable Use a proxy server and specify the following details: 

Residential Proxies

Proxy type: HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5

Proxy host: pr.oxylabs.io

Proxy port: 7777

You can also use country-specific entries. For example, if you enter fr-pr.oxylabs.io under IP address and 40000 under Port, you’ll acquire a French exit node. For a complete list of country-specific entry nodes or if you need a sticky session, please refer to our documentation.

All set up! You’re now passing your web requests through a proxy. 

Configuring proxies using legacy Windows settings

These steps apply to all Windows versions (7, 8, and older) and offer some more in-depth features excluded from the Settings app found on Windows 10 & 11. To configure proxy settings, follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options.

2. Under Internet Properties, select the Connections tab and open LAN settings.

3. Check the Use a proxy server for your LAN option and press Advanced.

4. Specify your proxy details. For a detailed Oxylabs proxy configuration (Residential and Datacenter), refer to the previous section.

You can also specify the proxy Type (HTTP or SOCKS). These proxy settings correspond to the proxy settings described in the previous section, as they are universal system-wide. If you fill a field here, it also applies in the Settings app if you’re using Windows 10 & 11.

You can also list specific websites that will ignore your proxy settings. Separate addresses with semicolons to create multiple exceptions. Add an asterisk with a dot (*.) if you want to exclude multiple addresses from the same domain (*.oxylabs.io).

5. Launch a browser to authenticate your proxy settings. Enter your Oxylabs sub-user’s credentials, and Sign in. Use the same credentials you typed in while creating a new sub-user in the Oxylabs dashboard.

All set up! You can now connect to the internet via proxy.

Common Windows proxy errors 

Here are some of the most common proxy-related errors encountered on Windows:

1. Windows could not automatically detect this network's proxy settings.

2. Unable to connect to the proxy server.

3. Cannot turn off proxy settings in Windows.

Go over these options for potential solutions:

• Review proxy settings.

• Reboot the device.

• Update or downgrade network drivers.

• Check potentially conflicting applications such as VPNs.

• Use a restore point. 

• Reset network settings.

• Clear browser cache.

• Scan the computer for malware.

Wrapping up

There are several ways to set up a proxy on Windows, each bringing the same result, although legacy settings allow you to toggle more settings.

Whether you’re using a Windows PC, Android device, or macOS laptop, Oxylabs got you covered – find out how to use proxies for a variety of applications and operating systems in our integrations.

Don't hesitate to contact us for more details if you have questions about configuring our proxies for Windows or if you have any inquiries about our solutions.

Please be aware that this is a third-party tool not owned or controlled by Oxylabs. Each third-party provider is responsible for its own software and services. Consequently, Oxylabs will have no liability or responsibility to you regarding those services. Please carefully review the third party's policies and practices and/or conduct due diligence before accessing or using third-party services.