This tutorial will explain how to install, configure and activate the OpenVPN client

on Windows.

Installation 

1.

Download the Windows installer. There is a command-line version only available

from the main site but we recommend the Windows GUI version developed by

Mathias Sundman at http://openvpn.se/download.html

You should see various options – choose the first option:

Installation Package (Both 32-bit and 64-bit TAP driver included)

2.

Click on the installer – if you get warnings like these just click on Run

3.

The wizard will start, click on Next >

4.

Next is the license agreement. It is safe to accept by clicking on I Agree

5.

You will be asked to choose components to install. We recommend going with the defaults. Click Next >

6.

The installation wizard will ask you where you want to install OpenVPN. The Windows default directory for

applications is C:\Program Files so it's fine to go with the suggested C:\Program Files\OpenVPN - click Install

7.

You may get a window warning you that the TAP-Win32 Adapter V8 (a device driver for network services, used by

OpenVPN) cannot be verified by Windows. This is fine and you can click on Continue Anyway           

8.

Wait for the installation to complete, then click on Next >

9.

Then click on Finish

 10.

You should see the OpenVPN icon in the taskbar – it is two monitors with a globe icon. The fact that the monitors

are red shows it is currently in disconnected status.

Configuration

11.

Before attempting to connect we want to implement the configuration. You should have received a config archive

from us, eg. openvpn-config.zip - place this now in the openvpn config directory C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config

12. 

We want to extract the files to the config directory. Right click and choose Extract All ...

13.

The Extraction Wizard will appear – click on Next >

14.

Change the extract directory to C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config and then click Next >

15. 

When it is done, click Finish

16. 

Files should have been extracted to the directory (file names may differ slightly from the snapshot)

Activation

17.

In order to activate OpenVPN, right click on the icon in the taskbar and click on connect

18.

You will be asked for your OpenVPN password – enter it now and click on OK

19.

The icon in the taskbar should change its red monitors to green – you are connected!

20.

A final note: If you have to activate OpenVPN but the icon in the taskbar is not available, you can activate it

directly from the Start menu

- Maartens Lourens, 10 August 2007