Proxy setup on Windows 10 / 11 — step-by-step

Windows system settings

A system proxy applies to every app that honors Windows settings (Edge, Internet Explorer, Windows Store).

1. Start → Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
2. Find Manual proxy setup
3. Toggle Use a proxy server
4. Enter Address and Port
5. Add exceptions (semicolon-separated) if needed
6. Click Save

⚠️ The Windows system proxy only supports HTTP. For SOCKS5 use a browser, Proxifier or extensions.

Chrome / Edge

Chrome inherits the system proxy by default. For per-app setup an extension is easier:

1. Install Proxy SwitchyOmega from the Chrome Web Store
2. Create a Proxy profile → type SOCKS5 (or HTTP) → address and port
3. Enable the profile via the extension icon

Firefox

Firefox has its own proxy settings:

1. Menu → Settings → search "proxy" → Settings
2. Pick Manual proxy configuration
3. Enter address and port for HTTP or SOCKS5
4. For SOCKS5 pick version 5 and enable Proxy DNS when using SOCKS v5

Telegram Desktop

1. Settings → Advanced → Connection type
2. Use custom proxy → Add proxy
3. Choose SOCKS5 or MTProto, enter parameters
4. Toggle Use for calls if needed

System-wide SOCKS5 via Proxifier

To route all Windows traffic through SOCKS5:

1. Install Proxifier
2. Profile → Proxy Servers → Add → SOCKS5, address, port, login, password
3. Profile → Proxification Rules → Default → Action: Proxy SOCKS5 default
4. All traffic now goes through the proxy

Verification

Open whoer.net or browserleaks.com/ip — you should see your proxy's IP, not your real one.