Technologies

Best VPN for Windows

If you’re using Windows 11, here are the best virtual private networks we’ve tested for you in 2022.

Are you on the hunt for the best VPN for your Windows device? We have good news for you: Thanks to Windows’ dominance as a desktop OS and its comparatively customizable operating environment, you’ve got a wide range of options. While MacOS users have to factor in several Apple-specific requirements, finding the best VPN for Windows — and getting the widest range of protocol options to work with your device — is a lot easier. Nearly every major VPN provider offers an app on both desktop and mobile environments for Microsoft.

To determine the fastest and most secure VPN services for Windows 10 and Windows 11, we hands-on tested a variety of VPN services across both Windows and MacOS platforms. Our CNET team specifically tackled a number of core factors in our testing, including reliability, security strength, ease of remote access, browsing and streaming speeds, and value for the money. All the recommendations on our main list of the best VPN providers are compatible with all currently maintained Windows versions, and CNET has tested them for use in the latest available operating system. (That means they’ll work seamlessly on Windows 11, which is available for download now on your laptop or desktop.) All of them also offer a stand-alone VPN client that will work without a hitch on your desktop.

Here you’ll find our top picks for the best VPN for Windows, ranked for their performance across all categories. Once you choose the right VPN service for you, be sure to read our guide on how to set up a VPN on Windows 10.

Windows VPN FAQs

For more, check out our picks for the best cheap VPN and the fastest VPN. And here’s why we recommend avoiding a free VPN and using a paid VPN whenever possible.

Technologies

Trump Tax Cut Extension Grinds to a Halt: Here’s What It Might Cost You

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for May 17, #706

Hints and answers for Connections for May 17, #706.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections puzzle is pretty fun. There are a couple of royal titles that might throw you off, though Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Think science.

Green group hint: Found in schools.

Blue group hint: Chilly Willy.

Purple group hint: Fifth letter.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Member of a kingdom in taxonomy.

Green group: Graduated instruments.

Blue group: Kinds of penguins.

Purple group: «E» things.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is member of a kingdom in taxonomy. The four answers are animal, bacteria, fungus and plant.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is graduated instruments. The four answers are beaker, protractor, ruler and syringe.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is kinds of penguins. The four answers are chinstrap, emperor, king and macaroni.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is «E» things. The four answers are commerce, mail, scooter and signature.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for May 17, #236

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 236, for May 17.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Connections: Sports Edition has one pretty simple category, especially if you’re a fan of horses. The other ones aren’t terrible, though there are a couple of very long words that barely fit in the grid. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: NFL division.

Green group hint: Sport of kings.

Blue group hint: Laverne and Shirley’s hometown.

Purple group hint: Hoops coach.