Proxy server setup in Windows 11: step-by-step guide

Setting up a proxy server in Windows 11 helps improve privacy, bypass regional restrictions, and optimize network traffic. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly set up a proxy in Windows 11 and address possible issues.

How to set up a proxy in Windows 11

Windows 11 has built-in tools for configuring a proxy server. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide:

1. Click the “Start” button.

2. Type “Proxy settings” in the search bar and select “Change manual proxy settings”.

3. In the “Manual proxy setup” section, click “Set up”.

4. Move the slider to the “ON” position and enter the data in the “Proxy IP address” and “Port” fields. If needed, add websites to exclude from using the proxy.

5. Click “Save” to save the settings.

To disable the proxy server, simply move the slider to the “OFF” position.

Checking the proxy’s functionality

If you’re using a private proxy server with login and password access:

1. Open a browser (e.g., Chrome).
2. The first time you connect, a prompt will appear to enter your username and password.
3. After entering, check the change in the IP address, for example, on the website 2ip.ua.

What types of proxies does Windows 11 support?

Through the system settings, Windows 11 only supports HTTP/HTTPS proxies. Other types, such as SOCKS4, SOCKS5, SSH tunnels, or VPN, are not supported in the default interface.

Why does the program ignore proxy settings?

If the program doesn’t ask for the proxy’s username and password, the following reasons might apply:

1. The program ignores the system proxy settings or uses a different type of connection

Some programs don’t use the default Windows proxy server but are configured separately:

• Firefox (needs to be manually configured in the browser settings or set to use system settings).
• Game clients (Battle.net, Epic Games, Origin) generally don’t support HTTP proxies.
• Telegram, Discord may bypass HTTP proxies because they use SOCKS.

Conclusion

Setting up a proxy in Windows 11 is a simple process. However, it’s important to remember that not all programs support system proxy settings. If you need a proxy for all applications, consider using VPN solutions.