How to Create a VPN Server on Your Windows Computer Without Installing Any Software

How to Create a VPN Server on Your Windows Computer Without Installing Any Software

Windows has the built-in ability to function as VPN server, although this option is hidden. This trick works on both Windows 7 and Windows 8. The server uses the point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP.)
This could be useful for connecting to your home network on the road, playing LAN games with someone, or securing your web browsing on a public Wi-Fi connection.

Limitations
While this is a pretty interesting feature, it may not be the ideal way to allow VPN connections to your local network. It has some limitations:You will need the ability to forward ports from your router.

You have to expose Windows and a port for the PPTP VPN server directly to the Internet, which is not ideal from a security standpoint. You should use a strong password and consider using a port that isn’t the default port.

This isn’t as easy to set up and use as software like LogMeIn, Hamachi and TeamViewer. Most people will probably be better off with a more complete software package like those two.

Creating a VPN Server

First, you’ll need to open the Network Connections window. The quickest way to open it is to press the Windows key, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.

Press the Alt key, click the File menu that appears, and select New Incoming Connection.

You can now select the user accounts that can connect remotely. To increase security, you may want to create a new, limited user account rather than allow VPN logins from your primary user account. (Click Add someone to create a new user account.) Ensure the user you allow has a very strong password, as a weak password could be cracked by a dictionary attack.

Select the Through the Internet option to allow VPN connections over the Internet. You can also allow incoming connections over a dial-up modem, if you have the dial-up hardware.

You can then select the networking protocols that should be enabled for incoming connections. For example, if you don’t want people connected to the VPN to have access to shared files and printers on your local network, you can uncheck the File and Printer Sharing option.

Click the Allow access button and Windows will set up a VPN server.

If you want to disable the VPN server in the future, you can delete the Incoming Connectionsitem from your Network Connections window.

Router Setup

You will now need to log into your router’s setup page and forward port 1723 to the IP address of the computer where you set up the VPN server. 

for that we show you in last of the practice that how can we forward port, for now go to next step..

For maximum security, you may want to create a port forwarding rule that forwards a random “external port” – such as 23243 – to “internal port” 1723 on your computer. This will allow you to connect to the VPN server using port 23243, and will protect you from malicious programs that scan and attempt to automatically connect to VPN servers running on the default port.

You can also consider using a router or firewall to only allow incoming connections from specific IP addresses.

To ensure you can always connect to the VPN server, you may want to set up a dynamic DNS service like DynDNS on your router.

now i am showing you how to connect to a VPN server 

How to Connect to a VPN in Windows

We’ve covered virtual private networks and when you might want to use them before. Connecting to a VPN is easy, as Windows and most other operating systems offer built-in VPN support.

Note that some VPN providers offer their own desktop clients, which means you won’t need this setup process. For example, TunnelBear and proXPN both offer their own desktop applications for connecting to their VPNs and selecting VPN server locations.

Windows 7

To connect to a VPN on Windows 7, press the Windows key and, type VPN, and press Enter.

Enter the address of your VPN provider in the Internet Address box. You can enter an address like vpn.example.com or a numerical IP address, depending on the server information your VPN provider gave you.
You should also enter a Destination name – this can be anything you like. It’s only used to help you remember which VPN connection is which.

Enter your login credentials on the next screen. Use the username and password your VPN provider gave you.

Windows will connect you to the VPN you configured. If you checked the “Don’t connect now” checkbox on the first screen, Windows will save the VPN connection so you can easily connect later.

Once connected, you can click the network icon in your system tray to view your VPN connections. While connected to a VPN, all your network traffic will be sent over it.
To disconnect from a VPN, click it and click Disconnect. You can then reconnect to it later by clicking it and selecting Connect. You can have multiple VPNs configured and switch between them in this way.

To delete a saved VPN connection, press the Windows key, type network connections, and press Enter. Right-click a VPN connection and use the Delete option.

Windows 8

Connecting to a VPN is a similar process in Windows 8. Press the Windows key, type VPN, click the Settings category, and select the same Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection option as in Windows 7.

You’ll see the same VPN connection window on the desktop. Enter the address and name of your VPN.

You’ll then see the Networks pane appear. Select the VPN you added and click Connect.

Enter the username and password credentials your VPN requires and you can connect to the VPN.

To access the Network pane in the future, click the network icon in the system tray or open the charms bar, select Settings, and select Network.

To connect or disconnect from a VPN, select it in the Network pane and use the Connect or Disconnect buttons.
To remove a saved VPN connection, press the Windows key, type View network connections, select the Settings category, and click the View network connections option. Right-click a VPN Connection and select Delete to remove it.

Before Configuring Your Router

There are a few things you need to be aware of when you decide on setting up port forwarding.

If you’re using DHCP, then each device’s IP has the potential to change in the future, and when it does you’ll need to reconfigure your port forwarding settings. For this reason, it’s best to configure your “server” computers with a static IP. Some routers have the ability to “reserve” or “assign” IPs via DHCP that will NOT change in the future, allowing you the best of both worlds, but not all do.

When you access your network externally, you will need to know your router’s external IP address. This can be easily found from someone inside the network by visiting whatismyip.com. This address can also change. One way to avoid this is to get a domain name redirect, so that when you go to http://myreallyawesomedoman.com, it’ll be your home network regardless of its changing IP.

Using custom ports may trigger your antivirus or firewall, so you may have to add exceptions on your home computers to allow outside access on whatever ports you specify. This is a security risk to some extent, so be careful and take proper precautions!
That being said, if you’re careful and configure things properly, you’ll never have to worry once you’re all set up.

Router Brands

Each manufacturer has different software that they use on their routers. We took screenshots of the port forwarding settings from each of the major brands as well as our near and dear DD-WRT. We’re assuming that you know how to access your router and you know the proper username and password. If you don’t, check out your documentation, your router’s label, or your manufacturer’s website.

Cisco/Linksys

You’ll see port forwarding under Applications and Gaming. Under “Single Port Forwarding,” you can add individual ports to specific IPs. Under “Port Range Forwarding,” you can easily forward whole ranges of ports at a time.

DLink

On DLink’s routers, you’ll find your port forwarding settings in the Advanced section, under the Port Forwarding tab.
Netgear

Netgear’s routers have a side menu. Look under Advanced and click on “Port Forwarding / Port Triggering.” If you use the Smart Wizard, you’ll also get the opportunity to configure port forwarding there.

DD-WRT

DD-WRT and similar third-party router firmwares will usually have port forwarding as a tab under the NAT/Quality of Service section. Remember, clicking “Save” in DD-WRT saves your changes but doesn’t apply them immediately, so be sure to hit “Apply Settings,” too.Basic Instructions

Regardless of what software is on your router, you’ll be required to enter the same type of information. First, you’ll see a text field where you can type in the name of the application or service. Next, you’ll see which incoming port your router should watch for. Then, you’ll be able to choose which protocol to watch for. A little online research should be able to tell you which one, but if you’re not sure you can choose both. You’ll need to choose which IP address is the destination for this port’s requests. Lastly, you’ll be able to choose which port the request should be targeted to on the destination IP.

Many firmwares will allow you to save many rules but selectively enable them as needed. If yours does it, be sure to check the “Enable” column’s boxes for all the rules you want active.

Now, if you want to check and be sure your router’s port is open and functioning, there are plenty of tools you can use to help you determine this. My favorite, however, is a web-based tool – the You Get Signal Port Forwarding Tester.

All you have to do is enter your port number in the box. Your external IP should be provided already, but if not, just click the “Use Current IP” link, then hit the “Check” button. This will check if your router has the port open and if it’s getting to a place on your network that can handle it.

If everything’s good, you’ll see a green flag icon and a message that says that your port is open. Ultimately, though, you can try to access your forwarded service by using your external IP address. For example, to check to see if your SSH server is properly forwarded, try to connect to it using the IP reported on whatismyip.com and the proper port.

Now that you know how configure your router to forward ports, you may want to revisit some of our articles and try to enable access from outside of your network. If you’ve got any interesting experiences or tips, share them in the comments!

Thanks.. 

Nase Technical Team..