Clash for Windows Setup Guide

Clash for Windows is a powerful, rule-based client supporting modern proxy protocols: VLESS, VMess, Shadowsocks, and Trojan. This guide covers installation, adding subscriptions, selecting rule modes, enabling system proxy, and troubleshooting.

What Is Clash (for Windows)?

Clash is a rule-driven proxy client. It lets you route traffic intelligently using curated rule sets (e.g., send foreign sites via proxy while keeping domestic traffic direct), group nodes, and switch among policy groups effortlessly. The Windows app provides a clean UI on top of the Clash core.

Step 1 — Install Clash for Windows

Download the latest Clash for Windows build from the official repository or trusted mirrors.
Install or extract to a stable path without spaces (e.g., C:\Tools\Clash).
Run the app and grant necessary permissions when prompted.

Tip: Prefer official sources for integrity; whitelist the app if your antivirus flags it.

Step 2 — Add Your Subscription (Recommended)

The easiest way to manage nodes is via a subscription URL provided by your service. Clash will fetch and update nodes automatically.

Open the Profiles or Subscriptions section.
Add your subscription URL and save.
Click “Update” to pull the latest node list and rule sets.

You can also import single nodes (VLESS/VMess/SS/Trojan) from a YAML or share link, but subscriptions are more convenient.

Step 3 — Choose Rule Mode and Policy Groups

Clash uses rule providers and policy groups to decide which traffic goes via proxy or direct. Common strategies:

Global Proxy: send all traffic via the selected node/group.
Rule Mode (Recommended): use curated rules to proxy foreign/blocked sites while leaving domestic traffic direct.
Custom Rules: add site-specific rules for acceleration or unblocking.

Select policy groups (e.g., “Proxy”, “Media”, “Game”) and assign nodes as needed. Many subscriptions ship with sensible defaults.

Step 4 — Enable the System Proxy

Toggle “System Proxy” in the app to let browsers and most applications use Clash automatically.
Optionally, set Clash to auto-start with Windows for convenience.

Verify your route by visiting What’s My IP.

Step 5 — Test Nodes and Optimize

Latency Test: pick nodes with consistently low ping.
Throughput: test streaming or downloads; choose stable media nodes for video.
Routing Adjustments: refine rules or policy groups for your target sites.

Troubleshooting

No internet / cannot connect: Update subscription; switch nodes; ensure Windows time is correct; check firewall.

Browser not using proxy: Confirm “System Proxy” is enabled; ensure the browser uses the system proxy; restart the browser.

DNS leaks: Use rule mode with proper DNS settings or enable DoH in your browser. Test with DNS Leak Test.

Streaming fails or stutters: Use media-optimized policy groups; try alternative nodes closer to the streaming CDN.

Need a Fast, Working Route?

Use our smart proxy finder to scan and recommend fast, available routes for your region.

Launch a Scan