While traditional VPNs serve a purpose, they rely heavily on user action and can be easily disabled or forgotten. This poses significant risks in corporate environments where compliance and data security are priorities. Always On VPN, in contrast, is configured to start automatically at boot and remains connected in the background. For a detailed breakdown of how Always On VPN improves upon traditional VPN setups, check out this expert explanation of its advantages over legacy solutions. 

This level of automation minimizes human error and ensures a higher standard of security across the board.

Here are some reasons more businesses and users are shifting to Always On VPN:

1. Uninterrupted Security

No risk of users forgetting to turn on the VPN — the connection is automatic and constant. With tools like VPNTest.pro, you can routinely test your VPN for leaks and ensure continuous security across all networks, including hotel Wi-Fi and public hotspots.

If you frequently access your exchange accounts from different networks or devices, using a VPN with auto-connect features can add an extra layer of security. Here’s a detailed comparison of how VPN auto-connect works across top providers.

2. Pre-Login Connectivity

Users can authenticate against Active Directory or MDM policies even before logging into the device.

3. Better User Experience

There’s no need for user interaction; it just works silently in the background.

4. Granular Control

Admins can configure split tunneling, route rules, traffic filters, and more using PowerShell or Intune.

5. Improved Compliance

Always On VPN helps organizations meet strict security standards and data protection regulations.

Always On VPN is a powerful, modern VPN solution designed to provide seamless, secure connectivity for devices anytime, anywhere. Its key features include:

1. Support for User and Device Tunnels:

 AOVPN supports two types of VPN tunnels — User Tunnel and Device Tunnel. The User Tunnel connects after user sign-in, providing access to user-specific resources, while the Device Tunnel connects before sign-in, allowing management and security policies to apply even when no user is logged in.

2. Integration with Modern Authentication:

 It supports native integration with Windows Hello for Business, multi-factor authentication (MFA) via Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), and certificate-based authentication. This provides strong, seamless security and single sign-on experiences.

3. Conditional Access and Compliance Enforcement:

AOVPN can integrate with conditional access policies that check device compliance, health status, and user identity before allowing VPN connection. This ensures that only trusted, secure devices gain access to sensitive corporate networks.

4. Advanced Traffic and Application Filtering:

 Administrators can define granular traffic filters and per-application VPN policies. This means only approved apps or specific traffic types are allowed through the VPN, reducing exposure and improving security.

5. Auto-Triggering of VPN Connections:

VPN connections can be automatically triggered by application launches, DNS name resolution, or network changes, providing a smooth user experience where VPN activates only when necessary.

6. Support for Multiple Network Protocols:

AOVPN uses modern, secure tunneling protocols like IKEv2/IPsec, with fallback to SSTP if needed, maximizing compatibility across various networks and firewalls.

7. Dual-Stack IP Support and Custom Routing:

Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic, with flexible routing options such as split tunneling, forced tunneling, and exclusion routes to optimize network traffic flow and reduce unnecessary load.

8. Compatibility with Enterprise Management Tools:

AOVPN settings and profiles can be deployed and managed via Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune), PowerShell, Group Policy, or third-party mobile device management (MDM) tools, simplifying administration at scale.

9. High Availability and Load Balancing:

Supports network policy server (NPS) clustering, load balancing, and geographic resilience, ensuring reliable VPN access even in high-demand or geographically distributed environments.

Supported Integrations with Always On VPN

Always On VPN integrates seamlessly with both Microsoft and third-party platforms to enhance security, user experience, and IT management.

A key integration is with Windows Information Protection (WIP), which enforces network policies to control which applications can send data over the VPN. When corporate data is accessed, Always On VPN is automatically triggered—eliminating the need for manual activation and ensuring sensitive information stays protected.

Another important integration is with Windows Hello for Business, enabling passwordless, certificate-based authentication. This allows users to sign into their device and Always On VPN simultaneously, providing a smooth single sign-on (SSO) experience without needing extra credentials.

Always On VPN also supports Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) conditional access policies. This enables multi-factor authentication (MFA) and device compliance checks before a VPN connection is established. Compliance is enforced through tools like Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune), ensuring that only trusted, healthy devices can connect.

Additionally, Always On VPN is compatible with third-party VPN clients via Universal Windows Platform (UWP) plug-ins. It works with vendors like Pulse Secure, FortiClient, and SonicWall, allowing organizations to maintain their existing VPN infrastructure while gaining the benefits of Always On VPN’s automation, security, and flexibility.

Together, these integrations make Always On VPN a robust, enterprise-ready solution that supports secure access across diverse environments and device ecosystems.

Always On VPN Setup on Windows 10/11

Setting up Always On VPN on Windows requires a few key steps:

1. Infrastructure Requirements

• Windows Server with Remote Access (RRAS) role

• Public IP or domain with SSL certificate

• DNS and certificate infrastructure

• NPS (Network Policy Server) for RADIUS authentication

2. Configure VPN Server (RRAS)

• Enable Routing and Remote Access

• Set up VPN protocols (IKEv2 recommended)

• Configure RADIUS authentication with NPS

3. Create a VPN Profile

Use PowerShell scripts or Microsoft Intune to push VPN profiles with:

• Server address

• Authentication method

• Tunnel type

• Split or force tunneling settings

• Always On triggers (NetworkConnectivityTriggers)

4. Deploy Certificates

Use Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) to deploy user and computer certificates.

5. Test the Connection

Once setup is complete, it’s essential to verify your VPN is functioning securely. Use a free, reliable tool like VPNTest.pro/test to check for IP leaks, DNS leaks, and WebRTC leaks. This ensures your Always On VPN isn’t just connected — it’s also protecting your identity and data effectively.

Always On VPN on Android

Android 7.0+ supports Always On VPN natively.

To set it up:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN

2. Tap the gear icon next to your VPN app

3. Toggle Always-on VPN

4. Optionally, toggle Block connections without VPN for full lockdown mode

Note: You need a compatible VPN app (e.g., OpenVPN, WireGuard, or enterprise VPN clients).

Best Practices for Always On VPN Configuration

• Use certificate-based authentication instead of username/password for better security

• Enable device tunnel for pre-login features

• Monitor logs to track disconnections or failures

• Test with different networks (home, public Wi-Fi, cellular)

• Deploy via MDM for easier configuration at scale

How to Scale Always On VPN (AOVPN)

Scaling Always On VPN to support a growing number of users and devices requires a well-planned infrastructure that balances performance, reliability, and security. To start, deploying multiple VPN servers and using load balancing techniques is essential. This ensures that connection requests are evenly distributed across servers, preventing any single server from becoming a bottleneck. Network Policy Servers (NPS) can be clustered to provide fault tolerance and high availability for authentication and authorization processes, so if one server goes down, others seamlessly take over without disrupting user connectivity.

Geographic load balancing is another key strategy for scaling AOVPN, especially for organizations with a distributed workforce across different regions. By deploying VPN gateways closer to users and leveraging DNS-based traffic routing (such as Azure Traffic Manager or Global Server Load Balancing), connections are directed to the nearest, least congested VPN server, improving connection speed and reliability.

To manage the large number of devices, centralized management tools like Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) are used to deploy and update VPN profiles, certificates, and policies efficiently. This automation reduces administrative overhead and ensures consistent configurations across all endpoints.

Finally, monitoring and analytics play a crucial role in scaling Always On VPN. Using monitoring solutions, administrators can track connection performance, detect bottlenecks, and identify potential security risks in real time. This visibility allows proactive adjustments to infrastructure and policies, ensuring the VPN environment scales smoothly as demand grows without compromising user experience or security.

If you want reliable, always-secure remote access without user intervention, Always On VPN is a game-changer. Whether you're a business with remote employees or a privacy-conscious individual, configuring Always On VPN ensures your data stays encrypted from the moment your device boots up.

From simplified user experience to airtight security, the benefits of Always On VPN make it a smart choice for the modern connected world.

1. Is Always On VPN available in Windows 11?

Yes. It works similarly to Windows 10 and is supported in Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

2. Can I use Always On VPN without Intune?

Yes. You can use PowerShell scripts and Group Policy to deploy the VPN configuration manually.

3. Does Always On VPN affect internet speed?

There may be slight performance overhead due to encryption, but it's typically minimal if set up properly.

4. Is Always On VPN safe for public Wi-Fi?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s one of the best tools for protecting data over unsecured networks.