Windows 10 and 11 - Installing and Using the PIA App

This tutorial will show you how to download and install the Private Internet Access (PIA) app for Windows 10 and 11.

Note: To use the PIA app, you must have an active subscription. If you haven't got one yet, you can sign up here.

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Download and Install the PIA Windows App

  1. Visit the PIA Windows page and click Download PIA for Windows to get the latest Windows app version.

    Private Internet Access Windows app landing page, showing a highlighted "Download PIA for Windows" button.

  2. Open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer to launch it.

    Windows 11 downloads folder, showing a highlighted Private Internet Access installer.

  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), select Yes to allow the installer to make changes to your device.

    User Account Control prompt on Windows 11.

  4. Wait for the installer to complete the process.

    Private Internet Access installation process on Windows 11.

When the installation finishes, the PIA app will launch automatically.

Sign In and Connect to the VPN

  1. Select Log In.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the post-installation screen. The "LOG IN" button is highlighted.

Note: If you select Quick Tour, you will be able to switch between dark and light themes before signing into your account. 

  1. Enter your PIA username and password (received via email after you sign up) and click Log in.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the login screen. The username and password fields are highlighted.

  2. Select the power button to connect to the VPN. By default, PIA will automatically connect you to the most optimal server location.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main connection screen. The power button is highlighted.

Once connected, the app will display your selected VPN server and connection status.

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Use the Expanded Display

The main connection window features an expanded display that you can toggle on and off to see more information about your VPN connection or quickly access different features and settings. 

To use the expanded display:

  1. Click the down arrow icon at the bottom.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-9.png

  2. You can now view additional details about the VPN connection, connect to select VPN server locations, or use certain features.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-10.png

  3. To close the expanded display, click the up arrow icon at the bottom.

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To learn more about the available features, settings, and information in the expanded display, please read this guide.

While the expanded display is enabled, you can also rearrange or bookmark the widgets shown in the expanded display.

Rearrange Expanded Display Widgets

To rearrange widgets in the expanded display, click and hold the three-line icon (☰), then move the widget to the desired position.

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Bookmark Expanded Display Widgets

If you bookmark a widget in the expanded display, it will show up in the basic display. To bookmark a widget, click the bookmark icon.

Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the quick connect and performance widgets. The bookmark icon for the quick connect widget is highlighted.

To remove the bookmark and send a widget back to the expanded display, click the bookmark icon again.

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Note: Bookmarked widgets automatically show up under the IP widget in the basic display, but you can rearrange its position by using the three-line icon (☰).

Connect to a VPN Server Location

To connect to a server location: 

  1. Click the VPN SERVER widget.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-15.png

  2. Select your desired VPN server location.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-16.png

Note: The Choose automatically option will automatically connect you to the most optimal VPN server for your location.

  1. You will be returned to the main connection screen. Click the power button to connect to your chosen server location.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-17.png

You can also manually look up a specific server location by entering its name into the search field.

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By default, VPN server locations are ordered alphabetically. You can also order them by ping if you click the Latency tab. This will display the server locations with the fastest response times first.

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In addition to regular VPN server locations, you will also see:

  • Streaming-optimized servers: Server locations optimized to provide a stable and private connection to streaming services. 
  • Geo-located regions: Virtual servers that are not physically located in the displayed country or region, but which make it look like your VPN connection originates from there.

How to Favorite a VPN Server Location

To favorite a VPN server location:

  1. Click the heart icon next to the server location you want to favorite.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-20.png

  2. On the main connection window, the favorited servers will be displayed in the QUICK CONNECT widget. Favorited servers will be marked with a green heart icon.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-21.png

Note: You can favorite as many server locations as you want, but only up to six will be displayed in the QUICK CONNECT widget.

Use a Different VPN Protocol

Note: Disconnect from the VPN before switching protocols

A VPN protocol is a set of rules that determine how the VPN routes data between your device and its servers. By default, the PIA Windows app uses the OpenVPN protocol, which is secure, reliable, and has good speeds. However, you can also switch to WireGuard, which is a lightweight protocol with strong security and fast speeds. 

To switch VPN protocols: 

  1. On the main connection window, click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) and select Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-22.png

  2. Click the Protocols tab.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main settings page. The "Protocols" tab is highlighted.

  3. Select your desired protocol option.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-24.png

Note: If you switch VPN protocols while connected to the VPN, you will need to reconnect for the change to take effect.

To learn about the different settings available for each VPN protocol, please refer to this guide.

Change the DNS Server

To change which DNS server the PIA app uses:

  1. Click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) and select Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-25.png

  2. On the Settings page, click the Network tab.

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  3. From the DNS dropdown menu, select your desired option.

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To learn more about the available DNS server options, read this guide.

Enable or Disable Port Forwarding

Note: Port forwarding is available only on supported VPN server locations. It is not available on US server locations.

Port forwarding lets you open a port on your device from your VPN IP address. Note that the port is assigned automatically. 

To use port forwarding:

  1. Select the three-dot menu icon (⋮) and click Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-28.png

  2. Click the Network tab.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main settings page. The "Network" tab is highlighted.

  3. Check the Request Port Forwarding option.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-30.png

Enable or Disable the Kill Switch

The kill switch is a security feature that disables internet access if your VPN disconnects to prevent data leaks. To turn the kill switch on or off: 

  1. Open the three-dot menu (⋮) and click Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-31.png

  2. Select the Privacy tab.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-32.png

  3. Check the VPN Kill Switch option.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-33.png

Note that the PIA Windows app also includes an option called Advanced Kill Switch. When this setting is enabled, internet access is blocked even when the VPN is turned off. This offers an additional layer of security. 

To enable or disable the advanced kill switch mode, navigate to Settings > Privacy and select the Advanced Kill Switch option.

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Note: When Advanced Kill Switch is enabled, the VPN Kill Switch option is automatically turned on too.

Turn MACE On or Off

MACE is a built-in ad-blocking tool that blocks domains used for ads, trackers, and malicious content. 

MACE is disabled by default. To enable it:

  1. Open the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-31.png

  2. Next, select the Privacy tab.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main settings page. The "Privacy" tab is highlighted.

  3. Check the PIA MACE option.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-37.png

Configure Automation Rules

The PIA Windows app has built-in automation settings that tell the VPN how to connect when you join a specific network. 

To use the automation rules:

  1. Click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) and select Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-38.png

  2. Click the Automation tab.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main settings page. The "Automation" tab is highlighted.

  3. Check the Connection Automation option, then click + Add Automation Rule.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the Automation tab. The "Connection Automation" option and "+ Add Automation Rule" button are highlighted.

  4. Select the type of network and desired action, then click OK.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the window for adding an automation rule.

The rule will automatically be added to the Connection Automation tab. It will apply when you connect to the selected network type.

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To change how the VPN connects or disconnects for a specific automation rule, use the Connect or Disconnect dropdown menu.

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To remove an automation rule, click X next to it.

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Use Split Tunneling

The split tunneling feature lets you do the following:

  • Choose which apps use or don’t use the VPN.
  • Specify IP addresses that bypass the VPN tunnel.
  • Determine if DNS requests follow split tunneling rules or always use the DNS server configured in-app.

To enable split tunneling:

  1. Open the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-45.png

  2. Select the Split Tunnel tab.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main settings page. The "Split Tunnel" tab is highlighted.

  3. Check the Split Tunnel option.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-47.png

To use the different split tunneling settings that are available, please follow the instructions in this guide.

Use the Multi-Hop Feature

Note: The Multi-Hop feature is only available when using the OpenVPN protocol.

The Multi-Hop feature routes your traffic through two servers instead of one, including a proxy server. Enabling this tool may make your traffic harder to trace.

To turn on the Multi-Hop feature:

  1. Select the three-dot menu icon (⋮), then click Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-48.png

  2. Select the Multi-Hop tab, then check the Multi-hop and Obfuscation option.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-49.png

  3. Under Proxy, click Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 Proxy, then click EDIT to choose a proxy server location.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-50.png

Note that you may experience slower speeds than on a standard VPN connection because your traffic passes through an additional server. 

Note: When using the SOCKS5 proxy, you will also have to generate credentials and enter a server IP address and port number. For more detailed instructions, refer to our guide on using the Multi-Hop feature.

Change Languages

The PIA Windows app is available in 18 languages. To change languages:

  1. On the main connection window, click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) and select Settings.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the three-dot menu. The three-dot icon and "Settings" menu item are highlighted.

  2. On the General tab, select the Language dropdown menu.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the main settings page. The "Language" dropdown menu is highlighted.

  3. Choose your desired language. When you select it, it is automatically applied.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-53.png

Change the App’s Appearance

To make changes to the app’s appearance:

  1. Open the three-dot menu (⋮) and click Settings.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-54.png

  2. If not selected, click the General tab.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the protocols tab. The "General" tab is highlighted.

Themes

To switch between themes:

  1. Click the Theme dropdown menu.

    Windows-11-Installing-the-PIA-App-56.png

  2. Pick between the Dark or Light theme.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the general settings tab. The "Theme" dropdown menu is open and highlighted.

Tray Icon

To change the tray icon appearance; 

  1. Click the Tray Icon Style dropdown menu.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the general settings tab. The "Tray Icon Style" dropdown menu is highlighted.

  2. Select your desired option.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the general settings tab. The "Tray Icon Style" dropdown menu is open and highlighted.

Dashboard

To change the main connection window appearance:

  1. Click the Dashboard Appearance dropdown menu.

    Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the general settings tab. The "Dashboard Appearance" dropdown menu is highlighted.
  2. Choose one of the following options:
    • Attached to Tray: Attaches the main connection window to your system tray, so that it cannot be moved around.

    • Window: Turns the main connection window into a window that you can freely move around your screen.

      Private Internet Access Windows app interface, showing the general settings tab. The "Dashboard Appearance" dropdown menu is open and highlighted.

Uninstall the App

The fastest way to uninstall the PIA Windows app is to use the built-in uninstaller. Read our guide to uninstalling the app from Windows for detailed instructions.

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