Introduction
In today’s digital age, many users rely on VPN services to protect their privacy and access geo‑restricted content. Yet there are times when you may want to how to remove a vpn from your device or disable vpn without disrupting your workflow. This guide will walk you through the entire process on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
We’ll cover why you might need to how to remove a vpn in different scenarios, such as when a corporate network blocks VPN traffic, when you switch to a new provider, or when you want to restore native internet speeds. Additionally, we’ll explain how to disable vpn to troubleshoot connectivity issues or avoid double‑VPN overhead.
Throughout this article, you’ll find actionable steps, expert tips, and alternative methods tailored for users in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. We’ll also reference trusted resources such as Security.org’s guide on disabling VPNs and Apple’s support forum for additional help.
To make this guide as useful as possible, we’ll use short paragraphs with 3‑5 lines each, keeping the content easy to scan. We’ll also sprinkle in practical examples and GEO‑specific advice, so whether you’re in New York, Toronto, Berlin, or Mumbai, you’ll find relevant insights.
Let’s dive into the detailed steps of how to remove a vpn and disable vpn across different operating systems.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
Removing a VPN on Windows 10/11
Open the Start menu and click Settings. Navigate to Network & Internet and select VPN from the sidebar. You’ll see a list of installed VPN connections. Highlight the one you wish to delete.
Click Remove, then confirm by pressing Yes. This action removes the VPN profile from your Windows settings, effectively how to remove a vpn without uninstalling the application itself.
For a full disable vpn process, you may also need to uninstall the VPN client. Go to Control Panel, choose Programs & Features, locate the VPN software, and click Uninstall. Follow the on‑screen prompts.
Uninstalling VPN Clients on Windows 10/11
Some VPN providers install their own desktop applications that persist after removing the profile. To fully how to remove a vpn, locate the client in Start > Settings > Apps & Features. Click the application, then Uninstall.
After the uninstallation is complete, reboot your computer. This step ensures that any background services are stopped and the VPN is fully disabled.
Disabling VPN on macOS Big Sur / Monterey
Open System Settings and navigate to Network. Select the VPN connection in the left‑hand list. Click the minus (–) button to delete the interface.
Next, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Type sudo launchctl unload -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vpn.provider.plist to stop any VPN daemons, replacing the plist name with your provider’s file.
Removing VPN on iOS Devices
To how to remove a vpn on iOS, open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Tap Edit at the top right, select the VPN you want to delete, and tap the red minus button.
For a complete removal, go to Settings > VPN & Device Management again and tap Remove Profile if it appears. This ensures all residual settings are cleared.
To disable vpn on iOS, you can simply toggle the VPN switch off or disable the app in Settings > Apps if the provider offers an iOS app.
Disabling VPN on Android Phones
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Tap the gear icon next to your VPN connection. Choose Disconnect or Delete to remove it entirely.
To completely how to remove a vpn, uninstall the VPN app from Settings > Apps & notifications. Select the VPN app and tap Uninstall. This stops any background VPN processes.
Removing VPN on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)
Open a terminal window. Use nmcli connection delete [VPN_NAME] to remove the VPN profile. Replace [VPN_NAME] with your actual VPN connection name.
To fully disable vpn, uninstall the VPN client package: sudo apt remove openvpn or the specific client you installed.
Disabling VPN on Linux (Fedora/RHEL)
Open a terminal and type sudo firewall-cmd --remove-service=ipsec if you’re using IPsec. Then, delete the connection with nmcli con delete [VPN_NAME].
Uninstall any VPN client with sudo dnf remove openvpn or the relevant package name.
Using System Settings to Disable VPN on Chromebook
Open Settings > Network > VPN. Tap the connection, then Remove. This deletes the VPN profile from your Chromebook.
Disabling VPN via Browser Extensions
For Chrome or Edge, go to Extensions > Details of the VPN extension. Toggle the switch off or click Remove to delete it. Firefox follows a similar process in Add‑ons > Extensions.
Disabling VPN in Virtual Machines
If you run a VM with a host‑level VPN, you may need to adjust the network settings. In VirtualBox, go to Settings > Network > Adapter. Select Bridged Adapter or Host‑Only Adapter to bypass the VPN.
Disabling VPN on Gaming Consoles
For Xbox or PlayStation, navigate to Settings > Network > VPN and toggle it off. Some consoles also allow you to delete the VPN profile from Account Settings.
Removing VPN from Smart TVs
Smart TVs that use built‑in VPNs typically offer a settings menu. Go to Settings > Network > VPN. Delete or disable the connection. Refer to the TV’s manual for exact steps.
Using Command Line to Disable VPN on Mac
Open Terminal and execute sudo networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 “VPN-SSID” if you’re using a Wi‑Fi VPN. Replace en0 with your interface.
Disabling VPN on Windows via PowerShell
Launch PowerShell as administrator and run Get-VpnConnection | Remove-VpnConnection -Confirm:$false to remove all VPN connections silently.
Disabling VPN in Linux Using Network Manager
Open the Network Manager GUI, click the VPN connection, then select Delete. Alternatively, use nmcli con delete vpn-name in the terminal.
Disabling VPN on Windows Phone (Legacy)
Navigate to Settings > VPN, tap the VPN profile, and select Delete. Then, uninstall the app from the Marketplace if applicable.
Disabling VPN on Android Tablets (i.e., Samsung Galaxy Tab)
Open Settings > Connections > VPN. Swipe left on the VPN you want to disable, then tap Delete.
Disabling VPN on iOS using VPN Profiles
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Tap the profile name and choose Delete. This action fully disable vpn on the device.
Removing VPN from Windows 8/10 Legacy Control Panel
Open Control Panel, choose Network and Internet > Network Connections. Right‑click the VPN connection and select Delete.
Disabling VPN on macOS via System Preferences
Open System Preferences > Network. Select the VPN, click minus, and then click Apply to confirm. This how to remove a vpn from the system.
Disabling VPN on Android with Root Access
If your device is rooted, you can delete VPN configuration files in /data/misc/vpn. Use a terminal or file manager with root permissions to remove the XML files. This method disable vpn at the system level.
Disabling VPN on Linux via /etc/openvpn
Remove or rename configuration files in /etc/openvpn. Then restart the OpenVPN service: sudo systemctl restart openvpn. This ensures the VPN is no longer active.
Disabling VPN on Android via Google Play Store
Open the Play Store, go to My apps & games, find the VPN app, and tap Uninstall. This removes the VPN from your device.
Disabling VPN on Windows using Settings App
Open the Settings app, navigate to Network & Internet > VPN, and toggle the VPN connection off. If you need to delete it permanently, click Remove.
Disabling VPN on macOS via Terminal
Open Terminal and run sudo /usr/sbin/networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 “VPN-SSID”. This command removes the preferred network for the VPN SSID, effectively disable vpn.
Disabling VPN on Windows 11 with PowerShell
Launch PowerShell as administrator and run Remove-VpnConnection -Name "MyVPN" -Force. Replace “MyVPN” with your connection name. This removes the VPN profile cleanly.
Disabling VPN on Windows Server
Open Server Manager, go to Tools > Routing and Remote Access. In the console tree, right‑click VPN, then choose Disable to stop the VPN service.
Disabling VPN on Linux (Fedora) via NetworkManager
Use nmcli con show to list connections, then nmcli con delete [VPN_NAME] to delete. Afterward, restart NetworkManager: sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.
Disabling VPN on Android with Settings Backup
If you have backup enabled, restore from a backup without VPN to reset the configuration. This indirectly disable vpn.
Disabling VPN on iPadOS
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Tap the profile, then tap Delete. This removes the VPN configuration entirely.
Disabling VPN on Apple TV
Navigate to Settings > Network > VPN and toggle it off. If the VPN is part of the Apple TV OS, you may need to reinstall the software to fully remove it.
Disabling VPN on Router Firmware (e.g., DD-WRT, Tomato)
Log into the router’s admin panel, go to Services or VPN section, and delete the VPN configuration. Restart the router to apply changes.
Disabling VPN on Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Open the NAS control panel, navigate to Network & Virtual Private Network, and delete the VPN profile. Restart the NAS to ensure the VPN is disabled.
Disabling VPN on Cloud Services (e.g., AWS VPN)
Access the AWS Management Console, go to VPC > Virtual Private Gateways, and detach or delete the VPN connection. This stops the VPN at the cloud level.
Disabling VPN on Windows 7
Open the Start menu, search for Network Connections, right‑click the VPN, and select Delete. Then uninstall the VPN client from Add or Remove Programs.
Disabling VPN on macOS Ventura
Open System Settings > Network, select the VPN, then click Delete. Confirm the deletion. This how to remove a vpn the network interface.
Disabling VPN on Windows 10 with Settings App
Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, click VPN, and toggle the VPN off. If you need to remove it permanently, click Remove and confirm.
Disabling VPN on Android using Quick Settings
Swipe down to open Quick Settings, tap the VPN icon. This disconnects the VPN. For a permanent removal, go to Settings > VPN > Delete.
Disabling VPN on Linux via GUI
Open Network Settings from your desktop environment, find the VPN connection, and click Delete. This removes the VPN configuration from the GUI.
Disabling VPN on macOS via System Preferences
Open System Preferences > Network, select the VPN service, and click the minus (–) button. Apply changes to remove it completely.
Disabling VPN on Windows 11 via Settings
Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Turn off the VPN switch or delete the profile as needed.
Disabling VPN on iPhone 15
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Tap the VPN profile and choose Delete. This fully removes the VPN from your iPhone.
Disabling VPN on Android 13
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Tap the three dots next to the VPN name, then tap Delete to remove it.
Disabling VPN on Windows Server 2019
Open Server Manager, go to Tools > Routing and Remote Access. Expand the server node, right‑click VPN, and choose Disable or Remove.
Disabling VPN on Linux via /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections
Navigate to /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections, locate the VPN profile file, delete it, and restart NetworkManager. This removes the VPN configuration from the system.
Disabling VPN on MacBook Pro M1
Open System Settings > Network, select the VPN service, click Delete, and then press Apply.
Disabling VPN on Android Tablet via Settings
Open Settings > Connections > VPN, tap the VPN name, then tap Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows 7 with Control Panel
Open Control Panel, choose Network and Internet, then Network Connections. Right‑click the VPN and choose Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows 8 via Settings App
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, then toggle the VPN off or remove it.
Disabling VPN on iOS 17
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Tap the profile and select Delete.
Disabling VPN on Android 11
Open Settings > Network & internet > VPN, swipe left on the VPN, and tap Delete.
Disabling VPN on macOS via Terminal
Open Terminal and run networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 “VPN-SSID”. This deletes the preferred network for the VPN, effectively disable vpn on macOS.
Disabling VPN on Windows 10 via Control Panel
Open Control Panel, choose Network and Internet, then Network Connections. Right‑click the VPN and select Delete to remove it.
Disabling VPN on iOS 14
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, tap the VPN, and choose Delete. This will fully remove the VPN configuration.
Disabling VPN on Android 12
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, tap the gear icon next to the VPN, and select Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows Server 2022
Open Server Manager, go to Tools > Routing and Remote Access. Right‑click the VPN service and choose Disable or Remove.
Disabling VPN on macOS Catalina via System Preferences
Open System Preferences > Network, select the VPN, click Minus (-) to delete. Confirm removal.
Disabling VPN on Android 10
Open Settings > Network & internet > VPN, tap the VPN name, then tap Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows 8.1
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, toggle off the VPN or click Remove.
Disabling VPN on iOS 13
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, tap the VPN profile, then Delete.
Disabling VPN on Android 9
Open Settings > Network & internet > VPN, tap the VPN name, and choose Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows 7 via Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as administrator, run rasdial /disconnect "VPN-Connection" to disconnect. Then run reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles\{GUID}" /f to remove the profile.
Disabling VPN on Windows Server 2008
Open Server Manager, navigate to Tools > Routing and Remote Access, and disable the VPN service.
Disabling VPN on Linux via NetworkManager GUI
Open the Network icon in the system tray, select Settings > VPN, click Remove to delete the VPN profile.
Disabling VPN on macOS Big Sur via Terminal
Open Terminal, execute sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.networkextension.*.plist. This removes the VPN configuration files.
Disabling VPN on iPhone 12
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, tap the VPN profile, and select Delete. This fully removes the VPN.
Disabling VPN on Android 8
Open Settings > Network & internet > VPN, tap the VPN name, and choose Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows XP
Open Network Connections from the Control Panel, right‑click the VPN, and select Delete to remove it.
Disabling VPN on macOS Sierra via System Preferences
Open System Preferences > Network, choose the VPN, click Minus (-) to delete.
Disabling VPN on Android 7
Open Settings > Network & internet > VPN, tap the VPN name, then tap Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows 10 Home via Settings
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, toggle the VPN off or click Remove to delete.
Disabling VPN on macOS High Sierra via Terminal
Open Terminal and run sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/Network/com.apple.networkextension.vpn.plist to delete the VPN configuration.
Disabling VPN on iPad Air 4
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, tap the VPN profile, and select Delete.
Disabling VPN on Android 6
Open Settings > Wireless & networks > VPN, tap the VPN name, and choose Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows Server 2012
Open Server Manager, go to Tools > Routing and Remote Access, right‑click VPN, and choose Disable or Remove.
Disabling VPN on macOS Mojave via System Preferences
Open System Preferences > Network, select the VPN, click Minus (-), then press Apply.
Disabling VPN on Android 5
Open Settings > Wireless & networks > VPN, tap the VPN name, then tap Delete.
Disabling VPN on Windows 7 Professional
Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, click Change adapter settings, right‑click the VPN, and choose Delete.
Disabling VPN on macOS El Capitan via Terminal
Open Terminal, run sudo networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 “VPN-SSID” to remove the VPN SSID from preferences.
Disabling VPN on Windows 8 Enterprise
Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, toggle the VPN off or click Remove.
Disabling VPN on iOS 12
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, tap the VPN profile, then Delete.
Disabling VPN on Android 4.4 KitKat
Open Settings > Wireless & networks > VPN, tap the VPN name, then tap Delete.
