How to Set Up a Proxy on Windows

Before you start

You'll need your proxy's host (IP or hostname), port, and, if it uses authentication, username and password. If your provider supports IP whitelisting, add your public IP in their dashboard first; Windows' built-in proxy settings don't store proxy credentials, so whitelisting avoids repeated login prompts. See proxy authentication methods.

Windows 11: manual proxy

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Proxy.
2. Under Manual proxy setup, next to "Use a proxy server", click Set up.
3. Toggle Use a proxy server on.
4. Enter the Proxy IP address and Port.
5. Optionally, list addresses to bypass (separated by semicolons), for example localhost;127.0.0.1;*.internal.example.com.
6. Tick Don't use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses if appropriate.
7. Click Save.

Windows 10: manual proxy

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. If you still run it, for example on a device enrolled in Extended Security Updates, the steps below still apply, but plan your move to Windows 11.

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
2. Under Manual proxy setup, turn on Use a proxy server.
3. Enter the address and port, add exceptions if needed, and click Save.

Automatic configuration (PAC)

If your organisation or provider gives you a PAC file URL:

1. In the same Proxy settings page, under Automatic proxy setup, turn on Use setup script (Windows 11: click Set up next to it).
2. Enter the script address and save.

See proxy PAC files.

Which apps use the Windows proxy?

• Chrome and Edge use the Windows system proxy by default.
• Firefox has its own settings but can be set to use system settings. See browser proxy settings.
• Many desktop apps use the system proxy, but some ignore it or have their own settings.
• Command-line tools often use environment variables instead.

Authentication prompts

If your proxy requires a username and password, browsers will prompt you when they first connect. Windows doesn't store proxy credentials in the system proxy dialog. For a smoother setup, use IP whitelisting, or configure proxies per app where credentials can be saved.

SOCKS proxies on Windows

The Windows system proxy settings are designed for HTTP proxies; there's no dedicated SOCKS field. Use per-app SOCKS settings (Firefox, many desktop apps) or a local tool that exposes an HTTP proxy forwarding to SOCKS. See SOCKS5 proxies.

WinHTTP (services and system components)

Some Windows services use WinHTTP, which has separate settings:

netsh winhttp show proxy
netsh winhttp set proxy proxy-server="http=203.0.113.10:8080;https=203.0.113.10:8080" bypass-list="*.local;<local>"
netsh winhttp import proxy source=ie
netsh winhttp reset proxy

Run these in an elevated terminal.

Command-line tools and environment variables

$env:HTTPS_PROXY = "http://USER:PASS@gate.example.com:7777"
$env:HTTP_PROXY  = $env:HTTPS_PROXY
curl.exe https://api.ipify.org

Windows includes curl.exe. Note curl reads the lowercase http_proxy for HTTP targets; for HTTPS, either case works. See curl proxy. To set variables permanently, use System Properties → Environment Variables, or setx.

Verify it works

Visit an IP-check site in your browser, or run curl.exe https://api.ipify.org with the proxy configured. The IP should be the proxy's. See how to check if a proxy works.

Troubleshooting

See common proxy errors.

Per-app proxy configuration on Windows

PowerShell example:

$cred = Get-Credential  # proxy username and password
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://api.ipify.org" -Proxy "http://gate.example.com:7777" -ProxyCredential $cred

Group Policy and enterprise environments

In managed environments, proxy settings may be enforced via Group Policy or Intune. If the settings page shows "Some settings are managed by your organisation", contact IT rather than overriding them.

Finding a stuck or hidden proxy setting

Sometimes Windows keeps using a proxy you thought you'd removed, or traffic goes through one you never set. The current user's settings live in the registry, and you can read them directly:

reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyEnable
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyServer
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v AutoConfigURL

ProxyEnable set to 0x1 means a manual proxy is on, ProxyServer shows the host and port, and AutoConfigURL shows a PAC file in use. A "value not found" error simply means that setting isn't configured.

Then check the places the Settings app doesn't show:

• Environment variables for command-line tools, in PowerShell: Get-ChildItem Env: | Where-Object Name -like '*proxy*'.
• WinHTTP, with the netsh commands above.
• Browser extensions that control proxy settings. Chrome and Edge say "controlled by an extension" next to the setting.
• VPN and security software, which may install their own proxy or filtering layer.

If settings keep coming back after you change them, the device is probably managed, and an organisation policy is setting them. Look for "Some settings are managed by your organization" in Settings, and ask IT rather than fighting the policy.

Microsoft's own guide, use a proxy server in Windows, covers the Settings app. For PAC files, see proxy PAC files; for browser-level settings, browser proxy settings.

If you use Webshare, our guide to Setting Up Webshare Proxies on Windows, macOS, iPhone and Android covers the setup, which Webshare product to choose and the mistakes to avoid.

Rayobyte, our third proxy partner, covers this too: see Rayobyte Troubleshooting, or compare all three of our partners in Rayobyte vs Geonode vs Webshare.

Key takeaways

• Windows 11 and 10 configure a system-wide HTTP proxy under Settings → Network & internet → Proxy; Chrome and Edge follow it automatically.
• The system dialog doesn't store proxy passwords, so IP whitelisting or per-app settings give a smoother experience with authenticated proxies.
• There's no SOCKS field in the system dialog; use per-app SOCKS settings or a local forwarder.
• Services that use WinHTTP need netsh winhttp configuration separately from the user proxy.
• Command-line tools usually read environment variables, and curl only reads lowercase http_proxy for HTTP targets.
• Always verify with an IP check and, in browsers, a WebRTC and DNS leak test. See how to check if a proxy works.

Need proxies to configure? Our guide to the best proxies in 2026 helps you choose a type and provider, and the residential proxies guide explains the most common option.

FAQ

How do I turn off the proxy on Windows?

Settings → Network & internet → Proxy → turn off "Use a proxy server".

Can I use different proxies for different apps?

Yes, by configuring apps individually rather than system-wide.

Sources and further reading

Independent references that back up the points above, from standards bodies, governments, universities and non-profits. They open in a new tab.

• Glossary: Proxy Server (NIST CSRC): NIST's formal definition of a proxy server.
• Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file (MDN Web Docs (Mozilla)): The reference for writing PAC files.
• RFC 7617: The Basic HTTP Authentication Scheme (IETF / RFC Editor): The scheme most proxy providers use for username and password authentication.
• 407 Proxy Authentication Required (MDN Web Docs (Mozilla)): The status code a proxy returns when credentials are missing or wrong.
• SP 800-63B: Authentication and Authenticator Management (NIST): NIST's guidance on passwords and authentication, relevant to proxy credentials and accounts.