proxinject for Windows

Brief introduction

Proxinject is a compact Windows utility that lets you route the network traffic of individual applications through SOCKS5 proxies. It’s intended for users who want to keep specific programs’ connections private and separate from the system’s default network path. The tool exposes a simple interface to pick which processes will be proxied, helping preserve anonymity and secure connections for chosen apps.

Under the hood

The utility works by injecting a DLL into the target process so that outgoing network calls are intercepted and forwarded to the configured SOCKS5 server. That approach lets Proxinject alter a process’s networking behavior without changing the application itself, enabling selective proxying without a system-wide VPN.

Core capabilities

• Route internet sessions from chosen programs through a SOCKS5 endpoint
• Select individual processes to apply proxying to, rather than redirecting all traffic
• Straightforward graphical controls for quick process selection and proxy setup
• Employ DLL injection to intercept and redirect networking calls
• Available at no cost for users who want proxy functionality without paying

Practical advantages

• Free to download and use, lowering the barrier to entry
• Uses injection-based interception so target apps require no internal reconfiguration
• Minimal learning curve thanks to an easy, focused interface
• Supports standard SOCKS5 protocol for compatibility with many proxy providers
• Allows per-application privacy controls instead of forcing system-wide changes

Alternatives worth looking at

• Proxifier — a more established commercial solution that also provides per-application proxying and advanced rule sets for routing traffic.
• SHAREit (Free) — listed as an alternative in some contexts; note that its primary use is file sharing rather than proxy management, so functionality differs from proxy-focused tools.

Who should consider using it

If you need a lightweight way to force only certain Windows applications to use a SOCKS5 proxy (for privacy, testing, or compartmentalization) and prefer a free, easy-to-use utility, Proxinject is a practical choice. It’s not a full VPN replacement — it targets individual processes rather than altering the machine’s entire network stack.