This article explains how to configure v2rayN on Windows. Follow the steps in order—from installing the client and importing nodes to enabling the proxy and checking the connection—to get started. It also explains how teams sharing a tutorial can reduce account verification prompts and connection issues caused by frequent changes to their exit IP.
1. Before you install: You need both a client and a node
v2rayN is a proxy client; installing it does not automatically give you a working route. You’ll need a node link or subscription address from a trusted source, and you should confirm that its protocol is supported by your version, such as VLESS, VMess, or Trojan. This site’s free nodes can be used for learning and temporary testing, but availability may change, so don’t rely on them as the sole connection method for critical team work.
- Download the Windows version from the Releases page of the official v2rayN GitHub repository. Choose x64 or ARM64 to match your computer, and read the release notes first.
- Extract the archive to a permanent folder; don’t run the program from inside the archive. If you’re prompted to install a missing runtime, follow the official instructions to install the required component.
- Launch the client. Menu names vary slightly between versions; the steps below refer to features such as “Servers,” “Subscription Group,” and “System Proxy.”
2. Import a node or subscription and select an active server
Single node links and subscription addresses use different import options: a node link usually starts with the protocol name, while a subscription address is generally a URL used to retrieve a list of nodes. Don’t confuse the two.
- Single node: Copy the full node link, then choose the clipboard import option from the “Servers” menu. If the import fails, check for extra spaces, line breaks, or missing characters.
- Subscription: Open “Subscription Group Settings,” add a group, and enter the subscription address. Save it, then update the subscription. If the update fails, first check whether the address has expired and whether the provider requires you to use an existing proxy to update it.
- Select a node from the list and set it as the active server. You can run a latency or connection test, but treat the results as a guide only—they don’t guarantee that every website will be accessible.
Subscription addresses may contain access credentials, so don’t post them in public group chats or include them in shared screenshots. Team members should use configurations they’re individually authorized to access; don’t assume that one subscription can be shared with an unlimited number of people.
3. Set up the system proxy and verify access
Open the tray menu and enable “Automatically configure system proxy.” Start with a routing mode suitable for everyday use so that requests requiring a proxy go through the node. Browsers typically follow the Windows system proxy, but some applications don’t, so enabling the system proxy doesn’t mean every application is using it.
First, visit the target website in your browser, then use a trusted exit IP lookup page to verify the outgoing IP. If you need to connect software that doesn’t follow the system proxy, check the client’s TUN documentation. TUN may require administrator privileges and can conflict with other VPNs, so it’s best not to enable multiple traffic-routing methods at the same time when you’re getting started.
4. Reducing issues in team use and troubleshooting failures
Account stability depends on factors including the exit IP, region, device, browser session, and platform rules. Frequently switching nodes or signing in from different regions may trigger additional verification. Using a fixed node does not guarantee that an account won’t be flagged by risk controls. Teams should standardize their steps, keep a record of commonly used exit regions, use platform-supported member permissions and multifactor authentication, and avoid sharing a single account among multiple people.
- No internet access at all: Check your local network, node expiration, and client logs. Disable other proxy software and try again.
- Browser works, but an application doesn’t: Check the application’s proxy settings and confirm whether it follows the system proxy.
- Only some websites fail: Check the routing rules, DNS, and node compatibility. Change one setting at a time and test again.
- No internet after exiting: Clear the system proxy from the tray menu first. If needed, check whether Windows proxy settings still contain a leftover local proxy address.