A network proxy is a gateway that acts as an intermediary between the local network (such as all devices in a building or company) and the internet. It can provide an extra layer of privacy, security and performance enhancement when connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
To set up a proxy on Windows 10 you can either make use of the settings app or manually edit your configuration. If you’re using the settings app, go to Network & Internet and select Proxy. If the Use a proxy server switch is already disabled, then skip this step. If not, you can turn it on and fill in the proxy server’s address and port information.
You may be asked by an IT administrator to use the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol script (WPAD), if you are using a Proxy in a school or work environment. This method is more reliable that a manual configuration.
You should also disable any third-party software that may be interfering with your connection to the internet or changing your settings. This includes antivirus, VPN, and firewall software. This is especially useful in the event that you encounter an error message that reads «Windows did not recognize the Proxy settings of this network automatically.»
If you are unable to resolve the issue, you can try a reset of the system. This will erase all drivers and programs that were installed prior to the restore point has been set up, allowing you to install the default settings of your system. This should fix the problem and allow you to connect to the internet once more without getting the error message.