How to Change Proxy Settings in Windows 10

To change proxy settings in Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Under Manual proxy setup, turn on Use a proxy server, enter the Address and Port, and select Save. To stop using a proxy, turn Use a proxy server off and select Save.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 27, 2026.

A proxy server sends your web traffic through another computer first. Some work and school networks require one. If you need a proxy, your IT department can give you the details.

Set up a proxy automatically

1. Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
2. Under Automatic proxy setup, turn on Automatically detect settings.
3. If your organization gave you a script address, turn on Use setup script, type it in Script address, and select Save.

Set up a proxy manually

1. On the same Proxy page, go to Manual proxy setup.
2. Turn on Use a proxy server.
3. In Address, type the proxy’s name or IP address, like proxy.contoso.com. In Port, type the port number, like 8080.
4. To skip the proxy for some websites, type them in the box below, separated by semicolons. For example: *.contoso.com; *.fabrikam.com
5. Keep Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses checked, unless your IT department says otherwise.
6. Select Save.

Turn off a proxy

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
2. Under Manual proxy setup, turn off Use a proxy server, and select Save.
3. If you don’t need a setup script, turn off Use setup script too.

If the proxy turns itself back on, your organization or an app may be setting it. Ask your IT department before changing it on a work PC. Our guide on how to disable a proxy server in Windows 10 covers what to check when it will not stay off.

Use Internet Options instead

The older Internet Options window changes the same settings and gives a few extra controls.

1. Press Windows logo key + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Open the Connections tab and select LAN settings.
3. Check Use a proxy server for your LAN and enter the address and port.
4. Select Advanced to use a different proxy for each protocol, or to add exceptions.
5. Select OK twice.

Changes here show up on the Settings proxy page too.

Browsers, apps and VPNs

• Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome use these Windows proxy settings. In Chrome, Settings > System > Open your computer’s proxy settings opens this same page.
• Firefox can use its own proxy. Go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Settings and choose Use system proxy settings to follow Windows.
• If the proxy needs a username and password, Windows or the browser asks for them the first time you connect.
• Some apps have their own proxy setting. Check the app’s settings if it still can’t connect.
• A VPN connection has its own proxy setting. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, select the connection, and select Advanced options. See how to set up a VPN on Windows 10.

Check the proxy used by Windows services

Windows Update and some background services use a separate system proxy setting called WinHTTP. To see it, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run netsh winhttp show proxy. “Direct access (no proxy server)” means none is set.

• To copy your Settings proxy to it, run netsh winhttp import proxy source=ie.
• To clear it, run netsh winhttp reset proxy.

Only change this if your IT department asks you to, or if Windows Update fails behind a proxy while browsing works.

Troubleshooting

• The proxy turns itself back on. On a work PC, your organization may set it. On a home PC, unexpected proxy settings can be a sign of adware. Run a full scan in Windows Security and remove apps you don’t recognize.
• Websites ask for a user name and password. The proxy requires sign-in. Enter the details your IT department gave you, not your Microsoft account.
• Firefox ignores the setting. Firefox can use its own proxy settings. Open Settings > Network Settings and choose Use system proxy settings.
• Proxy settings are greyed out. They’re managed by a policy or another app, such as a VPN client. Close the app or ask your administrator.

Frequently asked questions

Is a proxy the same as a VPN?

No. Both send your traffic through another server, but Microsoft notes that a VPN gives you a more secure connection than a proxy.

I lost my internet after changing the proxy. What now?

Turn off Use a proxy server and select Save. If that doesn’t help, see how to fix Wi-Fi and network problems in Windows 10 or how to reset network settings in Windows 10.

Will a proxy hide my IP address?

From the websites you visit, usually yes, since they see the proxy’s address. The proxy operator can still see your traffic, so only use proxies you trust.

How do I know if I’m using a proxy right now?

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. If Automatically detect settings is the only thing on, and Use setup script and Use a proxy server are off, no proxy is set.

Microsoft’s reference is Use a proxy server in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.