How to set up L2TP VPN on Windows XP

In this tutorial we will show you how to set up L2TP VPN on Windows XP but first let’s see what are our requirements and recommendations.

Requirements

In order to set up the L2TP VPN you will need:

A CactusVPN account. If you don’t have one you can try our services for free.
Your VPN username, password and VPN server address. You can find them in your account on our website, by going to Settings.

Recommendations

To skip the manual setup and for more features we recommend to use the CactusVPN App for Windows.
L2TP is not the best option for online security and privacy. We recommend using OpenVPN or SoftEther.

If you still want to set up L2TP VPN manually, go step-by-step through following instructions:

L2TP VPN Setup instructions

Open Network Connections through Start -> Settings -> Network Connections (1).
Click on Create a new connection (2).
Click Next (3).
Select Connect to the network at my workplace” (4) and click Next (5).
Choose Virtual Private Network Connection (6) and click Next (7).
Enter desired name for your connection (8). We recommend to name it: CactusVPN.

Click Next button (9).
Type the name or IP address of the CactusVPN server you want to connect to (10).

You can find IP addresses of all our servers in your account on our website, by going to Settings.

Click Next (11).
Click Finish (12).
In the User Name box (13), enter your VPN username.

In the Password box (14), enter your VPN password.

You can find your VPN username and password in your account on our website, by going to Settings -> VPN Username & Password. Make sure you use your VPN username and password and NOT the website account credentials (What is the difference?).

Click the Properties button (15).
Select Security tab (16) and click IP Sec Settings button (17).
Click the Use pre-shared key for authentication checkbox (18) and enter in the Key field (19): cactusvpn.

Click OK button (20).
Now Choose the Networking tab (21) and change the Type of VPN to L2TP IP/Sec VPN (22).

Now click OK button (23).
When you want to connect to CactusVPN, just double–click on the connection enter your username and password and press the Connect button!

To disconnect from a VPN connection, right-click the icon for the connection click Disconnect.