3 Ways to Bypass Proxy Server for Local Addresses in Windows 10

In our earlier article, we have explained how to setup proxy server to bypass your local network settings. However, in some cases you need to have dual network at the same time. For example, you may want to access Facebook over proxy but use intranet websites using your school / company’s network. Windows has a simple option to bypass proxy for local addresses. In this article, we will explain how to setup that.

How to Bypass Proxy Server for Local Addresses in Windows 10?

There are multiple ways you can bypass or exempt website addresses from using proxy. Remember that Windows will exclude the local website addresses like intranet or localhost from proxy when you enable the corresponding check box. However it will not work depending on the URL format. Therefore, we recommend you to add the local addresses in the exception list for correct usage.

1. Using Internet Options

• Press “Win + E” shortcut keys to open File Explorer.
• Type “control panel” in the address bar and press enter key to open Control Panel app.
• Change the “View by” option to “Category” to view the details.

• Click on “Network and Internet” option and then click on “Internet Options”.

• Alternatively, you can use Windows Search box to search “internet options” and open the Internet Properties dialog box.

• Go to “Connections” tab and click on “LAN settings” button. This will open “Local Area Network (LAN) Settings” pop-up.  Enable “Use a proxy server for your LAN” check box to enter the IP address and port of your proxy server.

• Now that you have setup a proxy server and all network from your computer will go through the proxy. For providing exception or bypassing your local intranet website addresses, enable “Bypass proxy server for local addresses” check box and click on “Advanced” button.

Under “Exceptions” box, type all the website addresses you do not want to use proxy. Use semicolon to separate each address you want to exclude. Click “OK” to apply your changes.

2. Using Settings App

• Press “Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings app and go to “Network & Internet” section.
• Go to “Proxy” section and enable “Use a proxy server” option under “Manual proxy setup” section.

• After typing the IP/port, you can type the addresses in the text box to exclude them from proxy access.
• Enable the checkbox “Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses” option.
• Click “Save” button to save your changes.

3. Use Firefox Network Settings

All the browsers like Chrome, Edge and IE use the computer’s network settings for proxy. However, Firefox has standalone browser settings that allow you to add proxy and exceptions within the browser. Remember, this method is effective only within Firefox browser and your computer’s network will still follow the default settings from Internet Options.

• If you do not have Firefox, install from the official website.
• Go to “about:preferences” page, scroll down to “Network Settings” and click on the “Settings…” button.

• This will open “Connection Settings” pop-up within Firefox.
• Choose either manual or automatic proxy configuration option.

• Type the exception for local and other website addresses under “No proxy for” text box.
• Click “OK” to save your changes.

Final Words

Though proxies are helpful, ensure to use reliable servers to avoid security problems. Follow one of the above methods to exclude local and internet websites from using proxy server. This will help you to use dual networks at the same time for accessing different websites.