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Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

2024-11-13 Last updated: March 25, 2024This tutorial will show you how to set up ExpressVPN on Windows using the OpenVPN GUI (graphical user interface).The OpenV

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This tutorial will show you how to set up ExpressVPN on Windows using the OpenVPN GUI (graphical user interface).

The OpenVPN GUI is a free graphical frontend for running the OpenVPN protocol on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

Note : The following steps were tested on Windows 10 and are applicable to other versions of Windows.

Not all ExpressVPN locations may be available for manually configured connections. To use the full list of VPN locations, use the app setup.

Prefer app setupSee the instructions for app setup on Windows 10 and above.

Important: The OpenVPN manual configuration does not offer the same security and privacy benefits as the ExpressVPN app. If you are located in a country with a high level of internet censorship, you are recommended to use the ExpressVPN app for a more stable VPN connection.


1. Find your ExpressVPN account credentials

Go to the ExpressVPN setup page. If prompted, enter your ExpressVPN credentials and click Sign In.

Enter the verification code that is sent to your email.

On theright, with OpenVPN already selected for you, you will see your username, password, and a list of OpenVPN configuration files.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Click the location(s) you want in order to download the .ovpn file(s).

Keep this browser window open. You will need this information for the setup later.

Need help ? Contact ExpressVPN Support Team immediate assistance .

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2. Download and install the OpenVPN GUI

Download the OpenVPN GUI appropriate to your Windows operating system.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Note : Windows XP , download OpenVPN 2.3.18 .

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Open the OpenVPN GUI installer .exe file.

prompted allow OpenVPN installer changes device , clickYes.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Click Next to start the installation.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Read the License Agreement, clickI Agree.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

On theChoose Components screen, click Next.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

On theChoose Install Location screen, click Install.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

When the installation is complete, click Next.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

After OpenVPN has been installed on your computer, uncheck the box for Show Readme, clickFinish.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Need help ? Contact ExpressVPN Support Team immediate assistance .

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3 . Set OpenVPN GUI

On your desktop, right-click the OpenVPN GUI shortcut, clickOpen file location.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

In the navigation bar, click OpenVPN to go up one directory.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Double – clickconfig folder.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Move the OpenVPN configuration files you obtained earlier into the config folder.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

When asked to provide administrator permission, click ContinueSet Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Need help ? Contact ExpressVPN Support Team immediate assistance .

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4. Set up DNS leak protection

prevent online activities exposed , you is edit edit configuration files prevent DNS leaks .

In the config folder, double-click the OpenVPN configuration file. It will open in a notepad or text editor.

Do not modify the existing text. Scroll to the bottom, add a new row, and paste the following:

block - outside - dns

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Save the file, then close the text editor.

Need help ? Contact ExpressVPN Support Team immediate assistance .

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5. Connect to a VPN server location

Right-click the OpenVPN GUI shortcut on your desktop, then select Run as administrator.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

When prompted to allow OpenVPN to make changes to your device, click Yes.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

The OpenVPN GUI is now added to your system tray as an icon.

Click , drag OpenVPN GUI icon system tray easier access .

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Right-click the OpenVPN GUI icon. You will see a list of all the VPN server locations you previously added. Hover over your preferred VPN server location, clickConnect.Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Enter the ExpressVPN OpenVPN username and password you found earlier, clickOK.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

When you are connected to ExpressVPN successfully, you will see a successful connection message.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

connect different VPN server location , disconnect current connection connecting server location .

Need help ? Contact ExpressVPN Support Team immediate assistance .

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Disconnect VPN server

To disconnect from a VPN server location, right-click the OpenVPN GUI icon in the system tray, hover over your current VPN server location, clickDisconnect.

Set Up OpenVPN on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10

Need help ? Contact ExpressVPN Support Team immediate assistance .

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