PremierVPN for Windows (version 1.2.1) connects in one click over WireGuard® or OpenVPN, and has Bypass mode for networks that block VPNs. This article gives you an overview of what the app does and where to find each setting.
What you need
- Windows 10 or 11, on a 64-bit Intel/AMD (x64) or ARM64 PC
- Administrator rights to install
- A PremierVPN account with an active plan
Download and install
- Open Downloads in the portal and download the Windows installer. Most PCs need x64. PCs with an ARM processor, such as a Surface Pro X or a Snapdragon laptop, need ARM64. To check, open Windows Settings › System › About and look at System type.
- Double-click the
.msifile and follow the steps. Click Yes when Windows asks to allow changes. If SmartScreen appears, click More info, then Run anyway.
Used the separate PremierVPN Cloak app before? Cloak is now built into this app under Bypass mode. Close the old app, don't run both at once, and uninstall it.
Sign in
- Enter your portal email and password, the same login you use at portal.premiervpn.net, and click Sign in. If two-factor authentication is on, enter the code in the Two-factor code box.
- Tick Remember credentials to be signed in automatically next time.
- Signed up with Google or Apple? Set a password first in the portal under Settings › Portal Password.
- Use VPN credentials directly lets you sign in with your VPN username and VPN password instead, which is useful if our website can't be reached. Your account details, the Vault and VLESS servers aren't available in that mode.
Connect and choose a location
Double-click a location (or select it and press Enter) to connect. You're protected when the ring reads Protected and shows your new IP, the protocol and the time connected.
Press Ctrl+K to search 30+ locations, or use the tabs:
- All: every standard location
- Favourites: locations you've starred
- Direct: connects by IP address instead of server name. Use these if a network blocks or redirects our server names.
- Dedicated: your dedicated IPs, plus Add a dedicated IP
Protocols
The protocol switch sits under the location list. Your choice applies the next time you connect.
| Protocol | Best for |
|---|---|
| WireGuard® (default) | Everyday use. The fastest option. |
| OpenVPN UDP | Fast and widely compatible. |
| OpenVPN TCP | Unreliable or restrictive connections. Slower, but more reliable. |
| Stealth | Networks that block or slow down VPNs. A switch for WireGuard that wraps it in TLS on port 993, so it looks like ordinary encrypted traffic. |
Bypass mode
If WireGuard, Stealth and OpenVPN are all blocked, turn on the Bypass switch under the protocol picker. While Bypass is on, it chooses how to connect. Pick a method in the second picker:
- Auto (recommended): tries AmneziaWG, then Cloak, then VLESS until one gets through, skipping any a server doesn't offer.
- AmneziaWG: WireGuard with its traffic pattern scrambled. Fast, but needs UDP.
- Cloak: OpenVPN disguised as ordinary HTTPS on port 4443 (TCP), for networks that block UDP entirely. The Windows app is the only PremierVPN app with Cloak.
- VLESS: REALITY, xHTTP or CDN, for the most heavily censored networks.
VLESS sets the Windows proxy rather than creating a VPN tunnel. It covers your browser and apps that use the Windows proxy, but not games and many other apps, and the kill switch doesn't apply. The app shows Proxy only while it's in use. For full-PC protection, use Auto, AmneziaWG or Cloak.
If a normal connection fails, the error banner may offer Try Stealth or Try Bypass to retry another way.
Security settings
Open Settings (Ctrl+6). The defaults suit most people.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Kill Switch | Blocks all internet traffic, IPv6 included, if the VPN drops. Keep it on. |
| DNS Leak Protection | Forces DNS through the VPN on OpenVPN. WireGuard always uses the VPN's DNS. |
| Block Outside DNS | Stops Windows sending DNS queries to other servers (OpenVPN only). |
| DNS While Connected | Choose VPN DNS (the default), Cloudflare, Google or Quad9. |
| IPv6 Through Tunnel | On: IPv6 goes through the VPN (OpenVPN). Off: it doesn't, so keep the kill switch on to block it. |
| Strict cert check | For Bypass › Cloak only. Leave it on unless support asks you to change it. |
Connection and general settings
- Connect on Startup, Start on Boot and Start Minimized: turn on all three to be protected from the moment you log in to Windows.
- Auto Reconnect: reconnects to the same server if the connection drops.
- Default Protocol: the protocol selected when you sign in.
- Minimize to System Tray: closing or minimising keeps the app and the VPN running in the tray.
- Repair Network Adapter: reinstalls the network driver if connections keep failing.
- Clear Saved Credentials: disconnects and signs you out, for example before handing the PC to someone else.
- Settings › Appearance: choose the Glass or Signal style and an accent colour. Both styles have the same features.
System tray and extras
Click the tray icon for your status, a quick location list, Connect or Disconnect, and Settings. Double-click it to open the main window. The sidebar also has a Speed test (Ctrl+2), Latency (Ctrl+3) with Scan All Servers to find your fastest server, the Connection log (Ctrl+4), Vault encrypted storage and PrMail.
Split tunnelling, multi-hop and a light theme aren't available in this version.
Quick troubleshooting
- Can't connect: try another location or the same country on the Direct tab. Then try OpenVPN TCP, WireGuard with Stealth, or Bypass on Auto. Then Repair Network Adapter.
- No internet after the VPN dropped: that's the kill switch protecting you. Connect again, or click Disconnect to return to your normal connection.
- Some apps or games don't use the VPN: you're probably on Bypass › VLESS (Proxy only). Choose Auto, AmneziaWG or Cloak, or turn Bypass off.
- "No active plan": connecting needs an active VPN plan. Renew in the portal, or if you've just subscribed, wait a moment and try again.
Full guide: Set up PremierVPN on Windows. What's new: Windows app changelog.
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and tell us your device, app version and what you've tried. Attaching the connection log (Ctrl+4) helps.