Many VPN users set up their service only to realize that some Windows applications bypass the VPN entirely, sending traffic through their normal ISP connection. This can expose your real IP address, leak location data, and undermine the privacy you were aiming to achieve in the first place.

Fortunately, Windows users have multiple ways to ensure that all apps — not just your browser — are routed through a secure VPN tunnel. In this guide, we’ll cover why this happens, what risks it carries, and step-by-step methods to force VPN usage across every application on your device.

Why Some Windows Apps Bypass the VPN

Even if your VPN is “connected” in the taskbar, some programs may still ignore it. This usually happens because:

• The app uses its own network stack or protocol (like certain VoIP or P2P tools).
  
  

• It runs as a background service before the VPN fully starts.
  
  

• It uses hardcoded IP addresses that don’t get routed through your VPN interface.
  
  

• VPN split tunneling is accidentally enabled, allowing certain apps to bypass the tunnel.
  
  

This can be especially risky with apps like cloud storage tools, email clients, torrent software, or chat apps that transmit sensitive information in the background.

The Privacy and Security Risks

When a Windows app ignores your VPN, you risk:

• IP Leaks – Your ISP can see your real IP and which services you connect to.
  
  

• Location Exposure – Websites or apps may use the non-VPN connection to determine your real location.
  
  

• Data Vulnerability – Any unencrypted traffic could be intercepted by hackers, especially on public Wi-Fi.
  
  

• Inconsistent Speeds – Apps may use the ISP route while others use the VPN, causing performance mismatches.
  
  

To avoid these problems, you need to make sure your VPN captures all outbound connections, no matter which app initiates them.

Method 1 – Use Your VPN’s “Force All Traffic” or Kill Switch Feature

Most premium VPN providers have a setting that ensures no internet traffic is allowed unless it goes through the VPN tunnel. This is often called a System-Wide Kill Switch or Always-On VPN mode.

Example:

• Surfshark calls this “Kill Switch” and “Override Local Network Access.”
  
  

• ExpressVPN has “Network Lock.”
  
  

• NordVPN has an app kill switch and a system kill switch.
  
  

Steps:

1. Open your VPN app on Windows.
   
   

2. Go to Settings or Preferences.
   
   

3. Look for a Kill Switch or Force All Traffic option.
   
   

4. Enable it and restart your VPN.
   
   

With this enabled, any attempt to connect outside the VPN will be blocked.

Method 2 – Disable Split Tunneling Entirely

Split tunneling lets you choose which apps go through the VPN and which do not. If this feature is accidentally on, some apps might be bypassing the tunnel.

To fix:

1. Open your VPN app.
   
   

2. Navigate to the Split Tunneling or Bypass VPN settings.
   
   

3. Disable the feature completely.
   
   

4. Reconnect to your VPN.
   
   

This ensures all apps, even ones you didn’t know were excluded, are forced through the VPN.

Method 3 – Bind Apps to the VPN Adapter Using Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall can be configured to block any app from using your normal ISP connection.

How:

1. Identify your VPN network adapter name (Control Panel → Network and Sharing → Change adapter settings).
   
   

2. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
   
   

3. Create a new outbound rule for the app you want to secure.
   
   

4. Set the rule to allow connections only when using the VPN adapter.
   
   

5. Block all other connections for that app.
   
   

While more advanced, this method is extremely effective if you want granular control.

Method 4 – Use a VPN That Supports VPN-over-Router

If you install your VPN on your router, every device and app on your network is automatically routed through it. This eliminates the risk of any Windows app bypassing the VPN.

Pros:

• Covers all traffic automatically.
  
  

• Works even for devices that don’t support VPN apps.
  
  

Cons:

• Router processing power can affect speed.
  
  

• Setup varies depending on router model.
  
  

Method 5 – Third-Party Network Control Tools

If your VPN app doesn’t support a system-wide block, you can use third-party tools like Proxifier, ForceBindIP, or NetLimiter to route all app traffic through your VPN’s IP address.

Example workflow with Proxifier:

1. Install Proxifier.
   
   

2. Set your VPN’s IP as the proxy.
   
   

3. Create rules that force every application to use the proxy.
   
   

This works well for advanced users but requires careful configuration.

Performance Considerations

Forcing all apps through your VPN has some trade-offs:

• Increased CPU Load – Especially with encryption-heavy protocols like OpenVPN.
  
  

• Slight Speed Loss – Because every app’s traffic is encrypted.
  
  

• Possible Compatibility Issues – Some services might block VPN IPs.
  
  

You can mitigate speed loss by:

• Choosing WireGuard or IKEv2 for lower latency.
  
  

• Selecting a VPN server geographically close to you.
  
  

• Avoiding unnecessary double encryption unless you truly need it.
  
  

Testing if All Apps Use the VPN

Once configured, you should test to make sure every app is going through the VPN.

Steps:

1. Connect your VPN.
   
   

2. Open a browser and check your IP on ipleak.net.
   
   

3. Run the same IP check from different apps (torrent client, email client, game launcher).
   
   

4. If the IP matches the VPN location in all cases, you’re secure.
   
   

If you find a mismatch, review your settings — something may still be bypassing the tunnel.

Best VPN Protocols for Forcing All App Traffic

The VPN protocol you choose can impact stability when forcing all apps through the VPN:

• WireGuard – Best overall balance of speed and reliability.
  
  

• OpenVPN TCP – More stable on unstable connections; harder to block.
  
  

• IKEv2 – Fast reconnections for laptops that switch between Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots.
  
  

Choose the one that best fits your network environment.

Security Extras to Consider

When forcing all Windows app traffic through a VPN, enable additional protections:

• DNS Leak Protection – Prevents Windows from sending DNS queries outside the tunnel.
  
  

• IPv6 Leak Blocking – Stops IPv6-based leaks.
  
  

• Private DNS – Use your VPN provider’s encrypted DNS servers.
  
  

These features close loopholes that even system-wide VPN routing might leave open.

When You Might Not Want to Force All Apps Through a VPN

While full VPN coverage is best for privacy, there are cases where it’s not ideal:

• Local LAN Access – If you need to connect to local printers or NAS drives, the VPN might block them.
  
  

• Banking Apps – Some banking services trigger security warnings if your IP changes.
  
  

• High-Speed Gaming – In rare cases, routing game traffic outside the VPN reduces ping.
  
  

In such cases, configure exceptions carefully while keeping sensitive apps fully secured.

Final Thoughts

On Windows, it’s surprisingly common for certain apps to bypass your VPN without you realizing it. That’s why learning how to force all apps through a VPN tunnel is essential for maintaining consistent privacy and security.

By combining your VPN’s built-in kill switch, disabling split tunneling, leveraging Windows Firewall rules, or even using a VPN router, you can make sure every byte of data your computer sends is encrypted and masked.

Ultimately, the best solution depends on your VPN provider’s features and your willingness to do advanced configuration. If you use a top-tier VPN with a robust system kill switch — like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or PIA — setting this up can be as simple as toggling a setting and reconnecting.