How to Set Up a Proxy Server on Windows 10 & 11
Proxies soak up the harshness of the internet and add additional functionality. You can use proxies to access geo-restricted content, conceal your IP address, and shield your device from malicious requests.
This guide demonstrates how to use Oxylabs Residential and Datacenter Proxies on Windows 10 & 11 as well as on previous generations of Microsoft's operating system.
Setting up proxies on Windows 10 & 11
The setup for proxy server for Windows 10 and 11 is identical. The newer Windows versions allow you to configure the most important options through the Settings application. To configure proxy server settings, follow the instructions below.
Navigate to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
Windows Settings app
Network & Internet settings
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.
Enabling the automatic settings detection
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.
Enabling the script setup
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.
Configuring Residential Proxies
Enterprise Dedicated Datacenter Proxies
Specify the following if you purchased Dedicated Datacenter Proxies via sales.
Proxy type: HTTP or SOCKS5
Proxy host: a specific IP address (e.g., 1.2.3.4)
Proxy port: 60000
For Enterprise Dedicated Datacenter Proxies, you’ll have to choose an IP address from the acquired list. Visit our documentation for more details.
NOTE: To specify the SOCKS5 proxy type, you’ll have to use legacy Windows features (refer to the next section).
Self-Service Dedicated Datacenter Proxies
Specify the following if you purchased Dedicated Datacenter Proxies via the dashboard.
Proxy type: HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5
Proxy host: ddc.oxylabs.io
Proxy port: 8001
For Self-Service Dedicated Datacenter Proxies, the port indicates the sequential number of an IP address from the acquired list. Check our documentation for more details.
Shared Datacenter Proxies
Proxy type: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5
Proxy host: dc.oxylabs.io
Proxy port: 8001
For the pay-per-IP subscription, the port is the sequential number assigned to an IP address on your list, meaning port 8001 will use the first IP address. Please check our documentation for further details.
With the pay-per-traffic subscription, port 8001 picks a random IP address, remaining constant throughout the session. The proxy's geo-location can be set in the user authentication string, like user-USERNAME-country-US:PASSWORD, connecting you to a US proxy. More details are in our documentation.
ISP Proxies
Proxy type: HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5
Proxy host: isp.oxylabs.io
Proxy port: 8001
NOTE: You can also list specific websites that will ignore your proxy server 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).
3. Lastly, open a browser, enter your Oxylabs proxy user’s credentials, and Sign in. Use the same credentials you typed in while creating a new proxy user in the Oxylabs dashboard.
Entering Oxylabs sub-user’s credentials
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:
Navigate to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options.
Locating Control Panel
Navigating to Network and Internet
Accessing Internet Options
2. Under Internet Properties, select the Connections tab and open LAN settings.
Accessing LAN settings
3. Check the Use a proxy server for your LAN option and press Advanced.
Enabling a proxy server
4. Specify your proxy details. For a detailed Oxylabs proxy configuration (Residential and Datacenter), refer to the previous section.
Configuring proxy settings
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.
Entering Oxylabs sub-user’s credentials
All set up! You can now connect to the internet via proxy.
Common Windows proxy server errors
Here are some of the most common proxy-related errors encountered on Windows:
Windows could not automatically detect this network's proxy settings.
Unable to connect to the proxy server.
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 install proxy server 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.
Frequently asked questions
How to disable proxy settings on Windows?
On Windows 10 & 11, open the Settings app, navigate to Network & Internet > Proxy, and disable all three proxy setup options.
Alternatively, if you're using an older Windows version, navigate to Network and Internet > Internet Options > Internet Properties > Connections > LAN settings. Untick all three proxy setup options and save your preferences.
If the options above don’t work, you can edit an entry in Windows Registry to set the universal proxy setting. Search for the Registry Editor or press Win+R and type in regedit. Then navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings, select ProxySettingsPerUser, and change the value to 1. Lastly, restart your computer.
Where to find proxy settings on Windows?
For setting up a proxy, Windows 10 & 11 have two options – the Settings app and Control Panel’s options. Older Windows versions host proxy settings only under the Control Panel’s internet settings.
How to change proxy settings on Windows 7 and older versions?
Access the proxy settings through Control Panel > Network and Internet > Internet Options > Internet Properties > Connections > LAN settings.
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