Okay, so I wasn’t sure how to title this article. However, I will endeavor to explain my frustration I am having with Windows 10’s VPN settings.
Whenever I click the network icon in Windows 10, it will bring up my local connection, WiFinetworks, and VPN connections. When I select my VPN connection instead of being able to connect directly from the first network setting list I get directed into the Settings app in Windows 10.
Connect is “Missing” underneath my VPN connection on Windows 10. From the Settings app in Windows 10, I can then select my VPN connection and click connect.
I know this may sound quite trivial but it is a frustration especially since it feels like we took a step back from Windows 7 and Windows 8.
I did some searching online to see if I was alone in my complaint. I certainly wasn’t. I found this thread on Microsoft’s forums with other people frustrated with the same limitation. On this forum I came across a work around to allow me to connect from the first list of network connections. Thanks Tobias.Csaki
Here are the steps to accomplish this.
1. Open Regedit ( How did you know this wasn’t coming ha! ) (WIN+R and type regedit.exe)
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Settings\Network
3. Take ownership of the “Network” key/folder (right click, Permissions)
4. Select “Advanced” in the Permissions window
5. In the Advanced window, select “Change” where the owner field is (at the top of the window)
6. Type in your username and save your changes.
7. Close the advanced window
8. Now select “Administrators” in the security tab
9. Make sure “Full control” is selected, then apply changes
10. Now that’s done, double click “ReplaceVan”
11. Change it’s value to 2
These changes should take place without having to reboot. Now when you click the network connections icon you will get a Windows 8 type network menu that allows you to connect to your VPN connections.
You can also set these values:
0 – to open the default Network flyout.
1 – to open Network settings in the Settings app.
2 – to open a Windows 8-like Network pane.
— EDIT 20170427: this seems to be problem when connecting to protected WiFi Network after update Windows 10 Anniversary, so i just revert it back to value 0, for efficiency I use batch file to connect VPN Easily, I’ll share next time
Source:
– http://techspeeder.com/2015/09/15/windows-10-vpn-connect-missing-from-first-list-of-network-connections/
– http://winaero.com/blog/change-network-icon-click-action-in-windows-10/