= OpenVPN-GUI for Windows

**Note**: This page relates ''specifically'' to the OpenVPN-GUI which comes with **OpenVPN-2.4** or above.

 (For help using the OpenVPN-GUI which comes with OpenVPN-2.3 please go [https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/OpenVPN-GUI here])

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== Using OpenVPN-GUI for Windows

**Note**: This page requires that you have already installed OpenVPN-2.4 or above.

=== Preparing your installation to use the OpenVPN-GUI successfully

If you encounter this problem: Message dialogue `No readable connection profiles found`

 [[Image(msg-no-configs.png)]]

Press OK -- You **must** have a configuration file to continue.

If you are creating your own VPN server and client then please go [http://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html here]

If you already have a client configuration file to a VPN then now is the time to import it.

Additional notes:

* You should now have a configuration file to import.

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=== Locating the OpenVPN-GUI

The OpenVPN-GUI Tray Icon:

 [[Image(01-tray-icon.png)]]

If you cannot find the OpenVPN-GUI icon then check that Windows has not hidden it from you.\\
(because Windows likes to hide things from you ..)

Windows hidden icons:

 [[Image(show-hidden-icons.png)]]

If you still cannot find the OpenVPN_GUI then make sure you opened it in the first place.  

You may use a desktop icon or the Windows menu to locate the OpenVPN-GUI.

This is the OpenVPN-GUI desktop icon:
  [[Image(openvpn-gui-icon.png)]]

Additional notes:

* You should now have access to the OpenVPN-GUI

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=== Importing your first connection profile (config file) into the OpenVPN-GUI

Select "Import file ..." from the menu, then select the `config.ovpn` file you wish to import:

 [[Image(import-menu.png)]]

If the import is successful you will see:

 [[Image(import-success.png)]]

Otherwise, check that you selected a correctly configured `*.ovpn` file.

If you do not know what to do then please contact your server's administrator for help.

Additional notes:

* You should now have a successfully imported configuration file.

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=== Setting up membership of the OpenVPN Administrators local group

In order for your `normal user` to be able to use openvpn, your user account must be added to the `OpenVPN Administrators` group on your computer.  This is normally done during the install phase but it may not have been done.  If you see the message below you can select `Yes` but you will need the Local Administrator password to continue.  If you do not have this password then please contact your network administrator for help.

Message dialogue `Require membership of OpenVPN Administrators group`

 [[Image(msg-req-group-ovpnadmin.png)]]

Additional notes:

* You should now be a member of the `Openvpn Administrators` group.

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=== Navigating the OpenVPN-GUI menus

The Main menu with only 1 configuration file imported:

 [[Image(main-1-connect.png)]]

 With only one configuration file the menu displays all actions directly.

The Main menu with 2 configuration files imported:

 [[Image(main-2-connect.png)]]

 With two or more configuration files the menu will be nested.

Additional notes:

*

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=== Viewing the log file

The Main menu view log file:

 [[Image(main-2-view-log.png)]]

Additional notes:
* A good application for viewing your log file is `BareTail`.

* You now have access to your VPN log file.

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=== Editing the configuration file

The Main menu edit config file:

 [[Image(main-2-edit-config.png)]]

Additional notes:
* A good application for editing configuration files is `Notepad++`.

* You now have access to your configuration file.

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=== Trouble with connecting to a server

Error connecting:

 [[Image(error-connecting.png)]]

The first thing to do is examine your log file for details of the errors encountered. (See above)

Additional notes:

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=== OpenVPN-GUI Settings

Most of the OpenVPN-GUI settings can be left as default but you should examine them to make sure this suites your requirements.

The Settings menu, **General** tab:

 [[Image(setings-general.png)]]

The Settings menu, **Proxy** tab:

 [[Image(settings-proxy.png)]]

The Settings menu, **Advanced** tab:

 [[Image(settings-advanced.png)]]

The Settings menu, **About** tab:

 [[Image(settings-about.png)]]

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You are now ready to use OpenVPN-GUI for Windows.