How to create a VPN connection on Windows 7

This article explains how to create, setup and test a VPN connection on Windows 7.

Click the Windows Start button, then click ‘Control Panel’
Click the ‘Network and Internet’ link (if you are not using the Category view skip this step)
Click ‘Network and Sharing Center’
Click ‘Set up a new connection of network’
On the Set Up a Connection of Network screen, select ‘Connect to a workplace’, then click next:
On the Connect to a Workplace screen, select ‘Use my Internet Connection (VPN)’
Enter your VPN address into the ‘Internet address’ field and in the ‘Destination name’ field enter a description like your company name, then click next.
On this screen enter your User name and Password details. If you want this connection to remember your password, tick the ‘Remember this password’ checkbox. The ‘Domain (optional)’ field is usually not required for setting up a VPN connection.

Note: You should only tick this option if your company network administrator is satisfied that your computer has the correct level of security to ensure this VPN connection cannot be misused.
When you click next, Windows will try to connect using the information you have provided.

If all of the settings are correct Windows will confirm a successful connection and add it to your list of ‘Dial up and VPN’ connections within the ‘Network and Sharing Center’. Your computer is now connected to your company network allowing you to access files remotely.

Shortcut to connect or disconnect your VPN connection

Click the Windows Networking symbol in the bottom right hand corner of your screen:
Select your VPN connection:
Click Connect/Disconnect