What do you actually do to start using a VPN, from signing up to knowing it works?

Summary

For a consumer VPN you create an account and pay, install the official app, sign in and press connect. A company VPN starts differently, because IT gives you the account and either an app or the connection details. The "Connected" label tells you the tunnel is up, but the real test is whether your public IP address changed (consumer VPN) or whether you can reach internal systems (work VPN).

Consumer services: account, app, connect

The outline is the same everywhere. The account step is where services differ most.

NordVPN's getting-started guide assumes you already have "an active NordVPN subscription." You download the app, log in with your Nord Account, and choose "Secure my connection," which NordVPN describes as the fastest way to connect to the optimal server for your location. You can also tap a country on the map or search for one.

Proton VPN's free plan asks for a recovery email address that isn't a Proton Mail address, then a password, and drops you on the download page. On the free plan, pressing Connect in the Windows app picks the fastest free server for your location, and the home screen turns green once you're connected.

In the Mullvad app, clicking Create a new account generates an account number, and that number is what you log in with, so Mullvad tells you to save it right away. Before you can connect, you add time to the account by paying or redeeming a voucher. One account works on up to 5 devices.

Work VPNs: you're handed the setup

Nobody buys their own subscription for a company VPN. Microsoft's instructions for a work VPN are to look for VPN settings or a VPN app on your company's intranet, or to contact your company's support person. Sometimes that's a client to install. Sometimes it's just a server address and sign-in details to enter into Windows.

Adding a connection to Windows yourself

If you've got details but no app, Windows has a built-in client. Microsoft's steps:

You'll need to know which kind of VPN connection your company or service uses to pick the type. Sign-in info can be a username and password, a one-time password, a certificate, or a smart card for some work VPNs.

To connect, select Connect next to the VPN in Settings, or use the VPN quick setting from the network icon on the taskbar. Once it's up, "Connected" appears under the connection name, and a blue shield shows on the taskbar if Windows recognizes the VPN. The feature isn't available in Windows 11 SE.

Checking that it's doing its job

"Connected" means the tunnel exists. It doesn't prove your traffic is going where you expect.

With a consumer VPN, compare the IP address websites see before and after you connect. Mullvad links to its own connection check so you can confirm your browser is going through Mullvad. Our article on what "My IP" shows explains how to read the result.

With a work VPN, try to open an internal file share or business system. If your company uses split tunneling, which keeps ordinary web traffic off the VPN, an unchanged public IP can be perfectly normal.

When you disconnect, Proton's Windows app switches from Connected to Not connected and your IP address goes back to your real one. And one expectation to reset: Proton points out that a VPN won't make a slow internet connection faster.

Sources

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Written by Kaz (pen name). Published September 28, 2026. The facts above come from the vendor and standards pages listed under Sources. We have not used these products. Corrections: contact form.