Windows Proxy Settings: What They Are and How to Set Them

August 15, 2025
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Windows proxy settings is a common necessity for users who encounter restricted access to online resources, unstable connections, corporate network rules, or the need to mask their IP address. In Windows 10 and 11, proxy settings can be managed through several different interfaces – from the system “Settings” menu to environment variables – sometimes causing confusion. This article explains where and how to configure these options, which methods are considered reliable, how to fix configuration errors, and how to remove unnecessary settings when needed.

How to Access Proxy Settings in Windows 10 and 11

There are several ways to set up intermediary parameters in Windows 10 and 11.

Using the Windows 10 Settings Menu

  1. Click “Start”, choose “Settings”, and navigate to “Network & Internet”.

  2. From the left menu, select “Proxy”. Here, you’ll find two configuration types: automatic and manual.

  3. Windows proxy settings can be automated with a PAC file (Proxy Auto-Config), a JavaScript file that specifies which intermediary address to use for different websites. The file can be located on a corporate server or provided via a public URL, which you enter manually in the settings.

    To use automatic configuration, enable “Use setup script” and provide the URL. The system will obtain instructions from the PAC file on which requests should go through the intermediary server and which should go directly. The screenshot below is an example of how such a URL might look.

  4. For manual setup, you need to know the exact IP, port, and any required authentication credentials. Switch the setting to “On” and enter the IP and port.

    There’s also a field to list exceptions – websites that should be accessed directly.

  5. After saving, click “Start” to bring up the authentication form. Enter your username and password. If the window doesn’t appear, launch any browser, where the same form will be displayed.

    Windows 10 Authentication Form:

    Authentication example after first browser launch:

Setting Up in Windows 11

The fastest way to open “Settings” in Windows 11 is by pressing the “Win+I” key combination. Next, navigate to “Network & Internet”, then select “Proxy”. As in Windows 10, there are two configuration options. The main difference is that in the previous OS version all fields are visible at once, while in Windows 11, each option must be opened separately.

After this, Windows proxy settings are configured in the same way as described for earlier versions of the OS.

Configuring via Internet Properties

A universal method is to use Internet Properties, which works identically on both Windows 10 and 11 since the interface does not differ.

  1. Press the “Win+R” key combination and type inetcpl.cpl.

  2. Go to the “Connections” tab and click “LAN settings.”

  3. For automatic configuration, check the appropriate box and enter the link to your PAC file. For manual setup, select the relevant method and add the server’s address and port.

  4. The main advantage of this approach over using the system “Settings” menu is the ability to specify protocol types individually or assign a single address for all types of connections. To do this, click “Advanced” and select the required options.

Setting Up a Proxy via Environment Variables

  1. Use the search bar to access the required function.

  2. In the “Advanced” tab, click the “Environment Variables” button.

  3. A new window will appear. Click “New” and enter the intermediary server details in the following format: set the type to HTTP_PROXY or HTTPS_PROXY, and for the value use username:password@proxyhost:port if username and password authentication is required, or proxyhost:port if authentication is based on IP address or not needed.

  4. After applying the new values, you must restart your device for the changes to take effect.

How to Fix the “Windows Couldn’t Detect This Network’s Proxy Settings” Error

When you can’t connect to the Internet, many users turn to the Windows Troubleshooter. During diagnostics, it often reports: “Windows couldn’t detect this network’s proxy settings,” meaning that the intermediary details were not received or applied.

Possible causes include: incorrect IP address, port, or credentials; enabled auto-detection mode; conflicts between manual and automatic configurations; or issues with network services.

Recommended steps to resolve the issue:

  • Check the accuracy of your data in the system “Settings” as well as in Internet Properties, using the methods described above, and correct them if needed.

  • Open Command Prompt to review previously set parameters and enter: netsh winhttp show proxy.This command lets you check the system’s WinHTTP proxy settings if they were set manually.

  • Disable “Automatically detect settings”. This will eliminate possible conflicts between auto-detection and manually specified configurations.

  • Reset Windows network settings. To do this, open Command Prompt as administrator and enter: netsh int ip reset. This command resets the TCP/IP stack parameters to default, which may resolve connection issues caused by corrupted or incorrect network configuration. It should be used as an additional step in comprehensive connection diagnostics.

  • Clear the DNS cache. In Command Prompt, enter: ipconfig /flushdns.

  • Restart network services. Press “Win+R” and enter services.msc. A window with the list of all services will open. Find: DNS Client, Network Connections, DHCP Client. Right-click the selected service and choose “Restart”. This may help resolve temporary issues after changing IP settings.

  • Check the system registry. Press “Win+R,” type regedit. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings. Pay attention to the “ProxyEnable” and “ProxyServer” parameters. “ProxyEnable” should be set to 1 (enabled) or 0 (disabled). The value of “ProxyServer” is the IP and port in use.

These recommendations are designed to restore network connectivity. You can also check proxy settings in Windows 7 and later via online checkers, which, after scanning, display the current digital address of your intermediary server.

How to Remove Proxy Settings in Windows 10 and 11

There are several ways on how to remove proxy settings in Windows 10 and 11, which you can explore in detail via this link.

Conclusion

A proxy server can be an indispensable tool for network management, but it can also become a source of problems if configured incorrectly. To avoid connection errors, Windows proxy settings should be performed according to the recommendations outlined above. It’s important to specify all connection parameters accurately, including IP, port, and authentication details. Disabling automatic parameter detection is recommended when using private solutions, since this is often the cause of errors. If you encounter an issue such as “Windows couldn’t detect this network’s proxy settings”, configuration checks, network settings reset, and DNS cache clearing are effective solutions.

FAQ

Can I set different proxy settings for specific applications or browsers?

Such parameters set via Windows system settings apply globally to all applications. If you need to use different IPs for individual programs, you can use third-party tools such as Proxifier. For browsers, extensions and add-ons like FoxyProxy, Proxy SwitchyOmega, or SmartProxy can be installed.

Can I specify a username and password for a proxy when configuring Windows?

It’s not possible to directly enter authentication details in Settings or Internet Properties; the system will prompt for a username and password at first connection. Alternatively, you can set this information via environment variables in the format: http_proxy=http://username:password@proxyhost:port. However, this method is not recommended for security reasons and should only be used for temporary debugging or in isolated containers.

What types of proxies does Windows support – HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5?

Built-in Windows mechanisms only work with HTTP/HTTPS proxies. To use SOCKS5, you must install third-party software, such as the previously mentioned Proxifier.

Does the connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) affect proxy operation?

The connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) does not directly impact proxy usage, as settings are configured at the OS or application level. However, in some cases, the intermediary server may be selected automatically depending on network conditions – such as when using a PAC file or corporate network policies.