How to Add an Application to Split-tunneling in Bitdefender App (Windows)

With Split-tunneling in Bitdefender App for Windows, you can choose which applications or websites bypass the VPN connection and access the internet directly. This is useful when an app does not work correctly through a VPN, needs access to a local network resource, or performs better when it uses your regular internet connection.

For example, you may want to exclude a work application, game launcher, banking tool, or streaming app from the VPN while keeping the VPN active for the rest of your traffic.

This guide explains how to use Split-tunneling in Bitdefender for Windows to exclude an application from the VPN connection.

What Happens When an App Is Added to Split-tunneling?

When an application is added to the Split-tunneling list:

  • Traffic from that app bypasses the VPN
  • The app connects directly through your normal internet connection
  • Other apps continue using the VPN normally unless they are also added to the bypass list

This gives you more control over which apps use the VPN tunnel and which apps connect normally.

 

Follow these steps to add a Windows application to the Split-tunneling list in Bitdefender.

Step 1: Go to VPN Settings

  1. Open the Bitdefender app and click your profile icon in the top-right corner to go to settings.
  2. Click VPN in the left-side menu.

How to access VPN settings in Bitdefender App

This changes the main panel on the right so that it displays the settings related to the VPN service.

 

Step 2: Open Split-tunneling settings

On the VPN settings panel, scroll down and then click on Split-tunneling.

Split-tunneling

 

Step 3: Enable Split-Tunneling

If Split-tunneling is not already enabled, turn on the Split-tunneling switch.

Split-tunneling switch

Once enabled, additional options for managing applications and websites become available.

 

Step 4: Add an Application

  1. Click the Add applications button.How to add an application to Split-tunneling - Windows
  2. In the window that opens, browse to the folder where the application is installed.
    • Example: This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > ApplicationHow to add an application to Split-tunneling - Windows
  3. Select the application executable file, then click Open.
    • Example: app.exeHow to add an application to Split-tunneling - Windows

The app name will now appear in the Applications list, confirming that it has been added to Split-tunneling. From now on, the app will bypass the VPN and connect directly to the internet, while your other traffic continues to use the VPN connection.

 

How to remove an Application from Split-Tunneling

To stop a Windows application from bypassing the VPN:

  1. Open again the Bitdefender app > profile icon >VPN > Split-tunneling.
  2. Find the app under the Applications section.
  3. Click the trash bin icon next to the application.

How to delete an application from Split-tunneling - Windows

The app is removed from the Split-tunneling list and will once again use the VPN connection.