How to install a VPN on your devices

As a savvy security enthusiast, you already know the virtues of having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your identity and activities online. A VPN service will cloak your IP address and pass your data through an encrypted tunnel to limit a breach of privacy.

If you’re uncertain about the importance of using a VPN in your daily life, check out the article, The Safest Way to Browse the Web: VPN Browsing. It will give you clear ways in which a VPN safeguards you & your data. If the sheer number of VPN providers available feels overwhelming, and you need some help deciding which VPN service to use, the article on the Best VPN of 2022 can help you decide.

Are there benefits to installing a VPN on all your devices …and how do you even go about installing a VPN?

Let’s dive in.

VPN on ALL devices?

While too much of a good thing can make your life more difficult in some instances, this is not the case with VPN. Most paid VPN services, such as ExpressVPN, allow for their apps and services to be used on multiple devices with one account. Most also provide apps that are compatible with the two most popular computing systems (Windows & Mac OS) as well as the two most popular mobile phone interfaces (Android & iOS). This is great news as it wouldn’t make sense to only protect your privacy on your mobile devices but not your home or work computer, or vice versa. You want to be consistent with safeguarding your privacy on all devices so you don’t leave an opening to cybercriminals.

It’s important to also remember that your multiple devices, while having their own IP address, are usually connected to/included within the main IP address of your network. If you’re only using a VPN on one device, then you are technically leaving your IP address open to exposure by not having it on all devices.

Additionally, many devices have ‘pass along’ features that share information between devices for seamless use. For example, someone can use the ‘hand-off’ feature on their iPhone, which sends something you’re looking up on your mobile browser to then show up on their MacBook Pro (their Apple laptop). Essentially, if you only use a VPN on one device, you are leaving your data open to being poached.

The VPN service that has risen to the top of most of our lists is ExpressVPN. While the installation instructions will vary based on which VPN service provider you go with, we will use installing ExpressVPN on all devices for instructional purposes.

How to set up ExpressVPN on Windows

You can set up ExpressVPN on the following Windows devices: Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. The ExpressVPN app will not work with Windows Vista or XP. You’d have to use manual configurations for those operating systems.

#1. Purchase product

Among the many ways to protect against who can track you, who can see what you write and what websites you visit, I choose ExpressVPN as the best VPN for 2022. Benefits include:

adds a layer of enhanced security
prevents Internet service providers from monitoring your online activity
offers a way around geo-fencing blocks
can help increase your connection speeds

Sign up for 12 months of unlimited access to ExpressVPN and their ultra-fast global network, and you’ll get an extra 3 months totally free. That’s a 49% discount off the regular monthly price. Deal: Save 49% and 3 months free – $6.67 per month.

Get ExpressVPN

#2: Download ExpressVPN App

On your web browser, go to the ExpressVPN account dashboard or ExpressVPN.com/sign-in

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

Input your email address and password then click ‘Sign In’
On the account dashboard page, click ‘Download for Windows’

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

#3. Copy the Activation Code

In order to use ExpressVPN on your Windows computer, you will need your activation code.

Copy it by clicking the ‘copy to clipboard’ logo (as shown in the photo below)

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

#4. Install the App

Locate and double-click the download file on your computer (Sometimes it pops up on the bottom left corner of the browser you are downloading the installer from.)

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

If you see a prompt to install the app, click ‘Install’
After waiting for the app to install, you will get a pop-up stating that the installation is complete.
You might receive a prompt asking for your permission to allow this app to make changes on your device. If so, click ‘yes’ and proceed
Next will be some general information on ExpressVPN, click ‘Continue’
When prompted, click ‘Sign In’ and paste your activation code. (That’s the code you copied on Step 2.)
- How to paste in the code: Typing in Ctrl + V OR right-clicking the rectangular field and clicking ‘Paste’. Then click ‘Continue’

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

- Don’t remember or want to use the activation code?
  - Sign in using your email address by clicking the ‘Sign In with Email Sign-In Link’ button
  - Enter the email address you used to sign up for your ExpressVPN account
  - Open the email on any device and select ‘Sign In to ExpressVPN’
  - The app will be activated automatically
- You will be asked if you want to launch ExpressVPN on startup:
  - Select your preference to continue

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

- You will be asked if you want to anonymously share analytics about your VPN connections to help improve ExpressVPN
  - Select your preference to continue

Photo credit: ExpressVPN

You have now successfully installed ExpressVPN on your Windows device!

How to set up ExpressVPN on Mac

You can set up the ExpressVPN App on devices running the following Mac OS: Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan), macOS 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave), 10.15 (Catalina), 11 (Big Sur), or 12 (Monterey) to use.