When connecting to a PPTP VPN from Mac or Linux, I had no problem accessing the VPN. From windows however, I got the following error:

Error message

The remote connection was denied because the user name and password combination you provided is not recognized or the selected authentication protocol is not permitted on the remote access server

I knew for a fact that my username and password were correct as I was currently logged into a Windows 10 machine directly infront of me!

After quite a while of navigating the depths of windows settings and liasing with the VPN provider, I found that the remote server was requesting the use of MSChapV2, but strangely this is disabled on Windows 10 by default.

I found that the following steps fixed my problem:

  1. Setup your VPN as normal until you see the error quoted above.
  2. Open the 'Internet Options' settings by typing it into the start menu
  3. Click the 'Connections' tab
  4. Click your VPN in the list and then the 'Settings' button.
  5. Re-enter your username, password and domain in the boxes provided.
  6. Click 'Properties'
  7. Click the 'Security' Tab
  8. Select the radio button titled 'Allow these protocols'
  9. Select the checkbox titled 'Microsoft CHAP Version 2 (MS-CHAP v2)
  10. Apply the settings in each of the windows by clicking 'Ok'.
You should now be done. Try connecting to your VPN again and hopefully it will work!

Here is a copy of that final settings box for your reference!

Fixed!

The hidden dialog box which fixed everything!