ECE VPN L2TP setup steps for Windows 8 or Windows 10

These steps apply to Windows 8 or newer

Screen shots are from Windows 8

To set up a connection to the ECE VPN in Windows 8 or 10: You must use "L2TP" protocol instead of PPTP. Using L2TP requires a "pre-shared key" string in addition to your VPN login and password. Before starting this setup please contact ECEHELP to request the pre-shared key.

Make sure you are connected to the internet
Disconnect from any other VPN you may have installed
type [Windows]+Q for search;
type "View Net" in the search box
click the "View Network Connections" icon in the result list

You should see the Network Connections window (your icons may vary):

If you already have an icon for ECE VPN, skip to Settings below, and modify the old PPTP setup to use L2TP, following the same steps shown. (Right-click on existing VPN, choose "Properties.")

Creating a new L2TP connection to ECE VPN

type [Windows]+Q for search;
type "network status" in the search box
click the "View Network Status and Tasks" icon in the result list

In the Network and Sharing Centre, click "Set up a new connection or network":

In Set Up a Connection or Network, click "Connect to a workplace":

In Connect to a Workplace, click "Use my Internet connection (VPN)":

In the next COnnect to a Workplace window, type in the settings shown in this screen shot:

Click "Create"
The ECE VPN setup will now appear in the Networks list. (Open the Networks list using the network icon in the system tray.)

Settings

In Network Connections, right-click on the ECE VPN L2TP network connection icon, and choose properties in the context menu:

Click the Networking tab
Click to select "IPv4 properties"
Click the Properties button:

In the IPv4 Properties window, click Advanced:

In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window,

UNcheck "Use Default Gateway on Remote"
Click OK

In ECE VPN Properties, click the Security tab
In the Security tab,

Under "Type of VPN" choose "Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPsec (L2TP/IPsec)"
Click the radio button for Allow these products
Check the box for "CHAP"
Check the box for "MS-CHAP-v2"

Still in the Security tab, below Type of VPN, click the Advanced button.

In the Advanced Properties window,

click Use Preshared key for authentication
type in (or copy and paste) the preshared key provided by ECEHELP (not your passsword):

Apply settings

Click "Apply," "OK," or "Close" in each of the open settings windows.

You are now ready to try the VPN connection.
In your networks menu in the system tray, along with Wifi networks you will now see the ECE VPN. Click once on this to reveal the "Connect" (or "Disconnect") button. Click the button to connect or disconnect.

When you connect you will be asked for your VPN login and password. On a computer not shared with others you may choose the option to save your password.