OpenVPN Client Install Instructions

Currently implementing OpenVPN at the office and good instructions aren't available as of this date.  Here are some I put together.

Vista & Windows 7

1. Download OpenVPN: Use this link for Vista and Win7 or the most recent version available.
2. Double click on the downloaded file to install, clicking next to all screens until finished.
1. If asked to install a TAP Adapter click Yes or Install or Continue

Fig 1: Download & Install OpenVPN

3. OpenVPN uses config files to setup a VPN connection. Usually 1 .conf file and 3 .pem files. Obtain the correct config files from your IT department and copy them into: C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config.
4. OpenVPN will need to run as administrator. Right mouse on the OpenVPN icon and select properties.
1. Go to Compatibility tab. Check ‘Run this program as administrator’. Click OK/Apply to close window.

3. Open OpenVPN, it will minimize to the Task Tray. Right mouse on Task Tray icon and select connect.

Windows XP

1. Download OpenVPN: Use this link for XP.
2. Double click on the downloaded file to install, clicking next to all screens until finished.
1. If asked to install a TAP Adapter click Yes or Install or Continue
3. OpenVPN uses config files to setup a VPN connection. Usually 1 .conf file and 3 .pem files. Obtain the correct config files from your IT department and copy them into: C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config.
4. Open OpenVPN, it will minimize to the Task Tray. Right mouse on Task Tray icon and select connect.
5. Route Fix: The OpenVPN client under XP can suffer from a route problem. The route to the connected network fails to stay added after the initial connection. A work around is to add it manually.

Windows 2000

1. Download OpenVPN: Use this link for Windows 2000. The OpenVPN Client 2.0.9 work with Windows 2000. It runs with as a service and can be setup to automatically start when booted.
2. Double click on the downloaded file to install, clicking next to all screens until finished.
1. If asked to install a TAP Adapter click Yes or Install or Continue
3. OpenVPN uses config files to setup a VPN connection. Usually 1 .conf file and 3 .pem files. Obtain the correct config files from your IT department and copy them into: C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config.
4. Go to Control Panel, Administrator Tools and Services.
1. Or go to Start, Run, and run services.smc.
5. Start the OpenVPN service. You can also change the properties of the service to start automatically.