# Using traffic routing on Windows

## Before you begin

To start using traffic routing, make sure that the device you want to route traffic through meets the following criteria:

* The NordVPN app is running, and the Meshnet feature is enabled in the app.
* The device is connected to your Meshnet.&#x20;
* The **Traffic routing through your device** permission is granted for your client device. To learn more, see [Traffic routing permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/explaining-permissions/traffic-routing-permissions).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on device ownership:

* To add your own device, just enable Meshnet on that device. See [Using Meshnet on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/getting-started/how-to-start-using-meshnet/using-meshnet-on-windows#add-your-devices-to-meshnet) for details.
* To add an external device, send an invitation via the NordVPN app with the owner's email. Ensure the invitation is accepted. See [Adding external Meshnet devices on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/linking-devices-in-meshnet/adding-meshnet-devices-on-windows).
  {% endhint %}

## Start routing traffic <a href="#start-routing-traffic.1" id="start-routing-traffic.1"></a>

To start routing traffic on Windows, follow these steps:

1. Open **NordVPN** and select the Meshnet<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FxvxRyVglOq64BS4ArUK6%2Fmeshnet.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=accf346d-0d36-420d-a965-52ff921bb889" alt="" data-size="line"> tab.
2. Click the **Route traffic** card.
3. Find the host device that you want to use and click **Route all traffic**.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fgr8rVJrLPax8uwpiBzQi%2Froute_all_traffic.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0abf0c92-7e38-4446-82d5-2381d78d64e6" alt="Peer traffic routing host"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Upon connecting, the peer device’s section in the traffic routing menu will change the background color from white to blue.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fv0sAh6mw2TMvnLcOBqfz%2Fyoure_routing_traffic.png?alt=media&#x26;token=662b5292-c80c-4aed-b00c-081456ad7946" alt="Traffic routing is active through a peer device"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Alternatively, you can do the following:

1. Open **NordVPN** and expand the connection menu.
2. Locate the **Devices in Meshnet** section.\
   \
   ![Meshnet peer devices in the connection menu.](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FYSgJFUlmiaRp4sfw0gNX%2Fdevices_in_meshnet.png?alt=media\&token=ca9675c5-8080-47b4-903f-f00c43ae7487)

   &#x20;
3. Click the device that you want to route traffic through.

Once connected, you will see the host device’s Nord name on the main application page.

![Nord name of Meshnet peer device in the connection menu.](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FZrxbD61R8KpamZ7Qbx7G%2Fconnected_w_meshnet.png?alt=media\&token=17e9c571-1ab6-43bc-9121-a7f10b481eef)

Additionally, you can check your new IP address and the ISP by hovering your mouse cursor over the Meshnet peer device icon.

![New IP address and ISP shown on the NordVPN application.](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FhdfcKsjhwvg0Ki0ZBVTX%2Fwin_check_ip.png?alt=media\&token=e54d87da-0e04-4d52-81d9-75744f18eedc)<br>

## Stop routing traffic <a href="#stop-routing-traffic" id="stop-routing-traffic"></a>

To stop traffic routing, you can use the following methods:

* Click the Disconnect<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FD99Z1lVfluo8IVPtD02u%2Fdisconnect.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=c9b27459-a7c4-431d-bc30-ed0ae61b20fd" alt="" data-size="line"> button on the main application page.<br>

  ![Disconnect button highlighted in the connection menu.](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fcei1wyiWKFTO1v8VCPbq%2Fdisconnect_traffic_routing2.png?alt=media\&token=ae98ec4e-bc04-4bbb-b060-fcceba530738)

  &#x20;
* Click the **Stop routing** button on the Meshnet<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FxvxRyVglOq64BS4ArUK6%2Fmeshnet.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=accf346d-0d36-420d-a965-52ff921bb889" alt="" data-size="line"> tab.

  <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FamxlsLVJDpFWIvVS79qP%2Fdisconnect_traffic_routing.png?alt=media&#x26;token=552131de-d4e0-47a9-8a78-2e947497f810" alt="Stop routing button highlighted next to a Meshnet peer device."><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

Connection pause is currently not available while routing traffic through a Meshnet peer device.
{% endhint %}
