OpenVPN for Windows 10

This page contains instructions on how to run OpenVPN on Windows 10 to connect to the Informatics endpoints. Note that we no longer support Windows 7 or Windows 8, and that OpenVPN may require administrator rights in order to run properly, depending on which version you are using.

Installing and configuring OpenVPN

First, install the OpenVPN software itself. Go to the OpenVPN "Community Downloads" page, download and execute the latest Windows installer. Agree to the various requests to run/install things (in particular, the 'tap' driver, which may not be signed), let them be installed in the default places, and install the default set of components.

Next, download whichever configuration files you think you'll want to use (you can download as many as you like), and save them in your Downloads folder.

You should now find that you have shortcut to the OpenVPN application installed on your desktop. Double-click on the application to start it, and an icon should appear in the right hand area of your taskbar, or perhaps in your 'hidden icons' list. Right click on the icon to bring up the menu. Next, select Import file..., and successively 'import' to OpenVPN every configuration file which you have downloaded.

Starting an OpenVPN connection

To start an OpenVPN connection, right click on the OpenVPN icon in the taskbar (or 'hidden icons' list), mouse over the configuration you would to use, and left click on Connect.

The first time you start OpenVPN you may be asked by your anti-virus system whether you should allow OpenVPN to run. If you are, you should agree to the request.

Note that some OpenVPN versions require administrator rights in order to run properly. To enable this, select 'Run program as administrator' in the Properties menu of the OpenVPN application.

Stopping an OpenVPN connection

To stop an OpenVPN connection, right click on the OpenVPN icon in the taskbar (or 'hidden icons' list), mouse over the configuration in use, and left click on Disconnect.

If things don't work ...

In addition to OpenVPN's own diagnostic log, further information can be obtained in a command window, as follows:

• The command ipconfig /all will display information on the network adaptors on your machine
• route print will show the routing tables in effect at the time.

The latter can be very useful in helping to diagnose faults

References

Configuration files

Authentication

OpenVPN FAQ