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How to set up a VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot using Windows

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In this article, you will learn how to set up a Surfshark VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot using a Windows computer. If you have a device that cannot connect to Surfshark VPN directly, you can share your VPN connection through a mobile hotspot.

To follow along, you will need a Windows computer, the Surfshark VPN app, and an active Surfshark VPN subscription. Don't have a subscription yet? Get Surfshark here.

 

You can share a Surfshark VPN connection using a mobile hotspot on Windows by following these steps:

 

Enable the OpenVPN protocol

  1. Firstly, download the VPN for Windows. Once you do, launch the Surfshark app, go to settings by pressing the cog icon:

    Surfshark Windows app connected to Lithuania with Settings highlighted

  2. Next, select the VPN settings option:

    Surfshark Settings with VPN settings highlighted

  3. Scroll down, and select the protocol option:

    VPN settings with Protocol set to WireGuard highlighted

  4. Choose the OpenVPN (UDP) protocol from the drop-down list :

    Protocol list with OpenVPN UDP highlighted

    NOTE: you can also use OpenVPN (TCP) if you prefer.

  5. Make sure to disconnect from Surfshark.

 

Navigate to DCO adapter settings

  1. Search for network connections using the search bar and open it up:

    Windows search with View network connections highlighted

  2. A window with all network adapters installed on your device will show up.

    The 1st adapter is your Wi-Fi adapter, used by your device to connect to Wi-Fi networks.

    Network Connections with Wi-Fi highlighted

    The 2nd adapter is the Data Channel Offload for Surfshark adapter, or the DCO adapter for short. 

    Network Connections with OpenVPN Data Channel Offload for Surfshark highlighted

    Keep this window open and proceed to the next steps.

 

Turn on mobile hotspot

  1. Open your device's settings and select network & internet:

    Windows Settings with Network and internet highlighted 

  2. Enable the mobile hotspot by moving the switch at the top:

    Mobile hotspot settings with the On switch highlighted 

    Underneath, you will see information about this hotspot network.

    Network name is the name of the network that will appear on other devices when searching for new Wi-Fi connections.

    Network password is the password that you will need to enter to connect to this network.

  3. You can set your preferred name and password by clicking the edit button:

    Mobile hotspot settings with Edit highlighted

 

Configure the VPN adapter

  1. You will notice that a new network adapter has appeared right after enabling the hotspot in the network connections section. This adapter will be used for sharing the internet connection from your Windows PC:

    Network Connections with Local Area Connection 10 highlighted

  2. Right-click the Data Channel Offload for Surfshark (DCO) adapter, and select properties:

    OpenVPN Data Channel Offload shortcut menu with Properties highlighted

  3. Open the sharing section, check the first box (Allow other network users to...), and choose the name of the network adapter that will be used. Make sure you select the name of your hotspot network adapter (the new one that has appeared after enabling Mobile hotspot). Afterwards, click OK:

    OpenVPN Data Channel Offload Sharing tab with Local Area Connection 10 and OK highlighted

 

Connect to the VPN

Everything is in place now – the last thing you need to do is connect to the VPN. All previous configurations of network adapters will remain there, and you can use them anytime without repeating the setup process:

  1. Open the Surfshark application, and connect to your preferred location.

  2. Search for new Wi-Fi networks using your phone or any other device. You should find a new network with the name you have chosen for your hotspot:

    Android Wi-Fi screen connected to Surfshark VPN Hotspot

    Connect to it and enter the password. If you cannot remember the password, refer to the third step of the Turn on the mobile hotspot section.

  3. Perform an IP test, and you will see your new IP address from the Surfshark server you have connected to on Windows. You can also check how to make sure if Surfshark VPN is working:

    Surfshark leak test showing Protected with no DNS leaks detected

 

You may also be interested in:

  1. How to make sure if my connection was successful
  2. How to set up a router with Surfshark
  3. Can I share my VPN connection from my phone using a mobile hotspot?
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