Infolab wiki
OpenVPN on Windows
This howto was prepared and tested on Windows 7, 64 bit and Windows 7 32 bit.
Install the client
1) Download the OpenVPN client from here: http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/downloads.html. You can also use the direct download links below:
Windows 7 64 bit: http://swupdate.openvpn.org/community/releases/openvpn-install-2.3.1-I001-x86_64.exe.
Windows 7 32 bit: http://swupdate.openvpn.org/community/releases/openvpn-install-2.3.1-I001-i686.exe
2) Run the OpenVPN installer.
3) Choose the default selection of components when asked.
4) Allow the installation of all the drivers the installation wizard wants to install.
Set up the connection
5) If you have not done this already this would be a great time to unzip the file containing your certificate and the connection configuration. Use the file named USERNAME_win.zip.
There are two options to start the connection:
From the #Command line
From the #OpenVPN GUI
Command line
6a) Run the StartOpenVPN.bat that you extracted from the ZIP file in step 5.
7a) Agree to run the command with the Administrative privileges.
8a) The connection should now be running. Please leave the command prompt window open to stay connected.
9a) If you want to terminate the connection switch back to the command prompt and press F4.
OpenVPN GUI
6b) Run the SetupGUI.bat that you extracted from the ZIP file in step 5.
7b) Agree to run the command with the Administrative privileges.
This will copy the configuration files to C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config so the GUI component will be able to see them.
8b) Run the OpenVPN GUI program that was installed in the steps 1-4. Make sure you run the OpenVPN GUI as an Administrator.
9b) To start a connection right click the OpenVPN GUI icon in the Windows notification area.
If you only have a single OpenVPN connection then select the Connect option from the menu.
If you configured multiple OpenVPN connections then select the hover over the appropriate connection and select the Connect option from the submenu.
10b) Right click the OpenVPN GUI icon and select Disconnect to stop the VPN connection.
Security consideration
The SetupGUI.bat copies your private key file to the C:\Program files\OpenVPN\config directory which may be accessible to other users. Please avoid this configuration if you are in there are multiple users using your computer.