Although this is a subtle change, in the past, you could only confirm whether the device was using a VPN connection from the “Quick Settings” flyout or the “VPN” page in the Settings app. This not only added extra steps to determine if you were connected to the remote network but also (sometimes) caused users to forget to disconnect. Currently, the new VPN indicator for the network icon is visible when using the system’s built-in client. If you use third-party clients, you won’t see the updated icon. Also, the badge is only available for connections made through Ethernet, not Wi-Fi. The new feature is available starting with Windows 11 build 25247 and higher releases (via @PhantomOfEarth), but it’s currently an option you have to enable manually.
Enable VPN indicator for the Taskbar network icon
To enable the VPN overlay icon in the Taskbar, use these steps: To enable the hidden VPN indicator feature on Windows 11, you will need to download and decompress the ViveTool command-line tool. Then you have to open the tool with Command Prompt as an administrator and run these commands:
Enable VPN badge: vivetool /enable /id:38113452 Disable VPN badge: vivetool /disable /id:38113452
After you complete the steps, the next time the device connects to a virtual private network through an Ethernet connection, you will see a new indicator in the network icon. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.
