Microsoft is ready to kill the free VPN service included in its defender -App on Windows 11, MacOS, Android and iOS devices. The reason? Lack of use and efficiency.
As first reported by Windows latest, the Big Tech giant has informed users of the change via its support page. The date of the end of the virtual private network (VPN) service is set to February 28, 2025.
While you have time until the end of the month to find a best free VPN replacement, other Microsoft Defender Functions – Device Protection, Identity Theft and Credit Monitoring (The USA only) – not being affected.
Why does Microsoft remove its VPN function from the Defender Security Suite?
According to Microsoft’s own words: “Our goal is to ensure that you and your family remain more secure online. We are rutinating the use and effectiveness of our features. As such, we remove the function of privacy and will invest in New areas that will better adjust with customer needs.
If you ever use the Microsoft VPN Defender feature, this message may not come as a total surprise. Launched by 2023, Microsoft’s VPN tool came with a lot of significant restrictions compared to some of the best VPN services on the market.
First, it does not allow you to choose the place you want your internet connection to be redirected. This means that you cannot use Microsoft’s tools, for example as a streaming VPN to watch your favorite TV shows when you are abroad, nor bypassing internet censorship.
Another possible reason behind the lack of use is that Microsoft only rolled the VPN feature to Microsoft 365 individual and family subscribers throughout the UK and the US. As Windows latest pointed out, Microsoft initially shared plans for defender VPN to arrive in new regions, “but it never happened”.
When Microsoft retires with its defender VPN function for good, no action from Windows 11, MacOS and iOS users is required. However, if you are using Android, manually remove your VPN profile from the device if you have ever used this tool. You can do this by going to your phone’s settings, tapping on VPN and the info bar on Microsoft Defender’s VPN profile to remove it.
This is not the first time a big tech giant has decided to kill his VPN functionality due to lack of use. Google sent its Google One VPN for similar reasons back in June 2023.
As mentioned earlier, Microsoft defender VPN users until the end of the month to find an alternative. If you are not familiar with the VPN world, you can check all the benefits of using a VPN in 2025 here.
NordVPN is currently Techradar’s top election. It is a fantastic all -rounded service that boasts lots of privacy and security features, some of the fastest connection speeds and user -friendly apps across all major platforms. If you are looking for a free VPN service instead, Privadovpn and Proton VPN are currently the most secure out there.
