Windows 8 is out, and though it has its share of critics, I think it's a pretty cool OS. One problem that it does have however, that's not unlike others, is that you can't access geo-restricted content. It is possible to bypass these restrictions use a VPN to change your IP address though. One notable example is Netflix, which has limited access to only certain parts of the world. Though Netflix is paving the way for world domination in the world of media streaming, there are still many places that simply can't access movies and TV on Netflix. What's more, those countries that have a local version, are unable to access the US version.

What's so great about the US version of Netflix?

The US version of Netflix has been around the longest. It the most content in its database, and gets access to new releases and TV shows faster. Though Hulu still does a lot better for getting new TV shows uploaded, Hulu is available in even fewer countries (US & Japan).

So whether you want to access Netflix simply because you know it's a great site and they don't offer service in your country, or the local content available to you on you county's version doesn't satisfy your need for streaming media, it's possible to access the original, full, American version of Netflix on your Windows 8 computer or tablet.

The first thing you have to do is get a VPN connection.

Though there are many ways to set up VPNs and connect to them on Windows 8, the kind of set up we're talking about here is pretty easy, because there's no hardware involved.

You'll need to sign up for a VPN service, and spend a few minutes setting up the VPN connection for the first time, but after that, connecting to a US VPN server and getting a US IP address will be as simple as choosing from a list of available VPN servers.

There are 4 types of VPN connections you can set up on Windows 8: PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, and SSTP. PPTP will probably be the fastest because it requires less bandwidth due to lower levels of encryption, though OpenVPN and SSTP will give you more security (encryption), and may slow down you streaming ability if you have a slow internet connection to begin with.

Many times PPTP VPN is available at a discount, plus we're not really worried about the privacy and security features of the VPN, so I suggest sticking with PPTP.

PPTP VPN will be available to all VPN services. Simply sign up for the service of your choice, and they will provide you with instructions and login information so you can set up the VPN, and connect with the credentials associated with your new account. Just remember to check that the plan you signed up for offers access to US VPN servers, because it's essential to getting a US IP!