How to Set Up a VPN on Windows and macOS (2026 Guide)

To install a VPN on your computer, download the Happ app for Windows or macOS, paste your IMBA subscription link, and disable Mux in server settings. The whole process takes 5 minutes, and the first 7 days are free.

What you need

• A computer running Windows 10/11 or macOS
• An IMBA account — sign up with just your email, no card needed
• 5 minutes

Important: standard VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard) suffer from the same DPI blocking on desktop as on mobile. This guide is built around VLESS Reality — to your ISP, this traffic looks like ordinary HTTPS. For context, read our [protocol comparison guide](/blog/vpn-russia-2026).

Step 1. Create your account and get 7 days free

Sign up at [imba.live/auth/register](https://www.imba.live/auth/register) — email only. After registering, follow IMBA on [Telegram](https://t.me/imba_live) and activate the Start plan in your dashboard: VPN for 7 days free (plus 500 MB eSIM, handy for travel).

Step 2. Copy your subscription link

In the IMBA dashboard, open the VPN section, find the "Happ — subscription link" block, and click Copy. This link is your access key: the app uses it to pull the full server list.

Step 3. Install Happ

Windows

Download the Setup x64 (.exe) from the link in your dashboard (a mirror is available if the main link is blocked). Run the installer — standard Next, Next, Finish.

macOS

Option 1: download the .dmg (Universal — works on both Intel and Apple Silicon), drag Happ to Applications.

Option 2: install from the Mac App Store if you have access.

Step 4. Add your subscription

Open Happ, tap "+", then "Add subscription", then paste the link you copied. The app will pull in the IMBA server list.

Step 5. Disable Mux and connect

Go to server settings, find Mux, and turn it off. This step is required — the connection won't establish with Mux enabled.

Now pick a server (start with the lowest ping) and hit Connect. Done: check by opening YouTube — video should load in high quality without buffering.

Troubleshooting

• Can't connect — double-check that Mux is disabled (the most common cause)
• Slow speeds — try a different server; ping for each is visible in the dashboard
• ISP is throttling the connection — switch to another server from the list; VLESS Reality works on all major ISPs
• Still stuck? IMBA support responds in the dashboard

FAQ

Which VPN protocol works on desktop in 2026?

Only protocols with traffic obfuscation are reliable — VLESS with XTLS Reality. Classic OpenVPN and WireGuard are identified by DPI and blocked in censored networks. [Full protocol comparison](/blog/vpn-russia-2026).

Can I use one subscription on desktop and mobile?

Yes. One subscription link works across multiple devices: add it to Happ on [Android](/blog/vpn-android) and [iPhone](/blog/vpn-iphone) and on your [Smart TV](/blog/vpn-smart-tv).

Is it free?

The first 7 days are free with a Telegram follow. After that, the Pro plan is $9.99/mo, which includes VPN, eSIM, and a virtual card.