How to set up OpenVPN manual connection
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How to set up the OpenVPN Connect app on Windows

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  • In this tutorial, you will learn how to connec to Surfshark using the OpenVPN Connect app on Windows. This app can be useful in restrictive network environments or when your computer's operating system is too old to run the Surfshark app.

    Don't have the app? Download Surfshark VPN here.

    To set up OpenVPN on Windows, you will need a device running Windows OS, Administrator privileges on the device, the OpenVPN Connect application, and an active Surfshark subscription. 

     

    Get your credentials

    Before setting up the manual OpenVPN connection, you will need to obtain the credentials needed for the manual setup.

    NOTE: These are not your regular credentials, such as your email and password.

    1. Enter the Surfshark login page and log in. Then, click on VPN > Manual Setup > Set up manually.
    2. Select the OpenVPN protocol.
    3. Select the Credentials and click of Generate credentials if you don’t have any.



      NOTE: Keep this tab open or save the credentials, as we'll need them later.

    Choose a Surfshark VPN server

    1. Head to the Locations tab and select the server you wish to connect to.
    2. Once you find the server you desire to connect to, click the Download icon to the right of the server name.

     

    Download and install OpenVPN Connect

    1. Download the OpenVPN Connect using the links below.

      Windows 32-bit
      Windows 64-bit

    2. Find the installation file in your device's Downloads folder and double-click it to begin the installation procedure.
    3. Press Next to start the installation.
    4. To proceed, accept the OpenVPN terms in the License Agreement, and click Next.
    5. Click Install – once you do, a pop-up will appear asking to provide permissions to manage network and VPN settings. Click Yes.
    6. After the setup ends, click Finish.

    Connect to the VPN

     

    1. As the installation finishes, the OpenVPN Connect app will open automatically. Click agree to proceed.
    2. At the top of the application, select Upload File, then drag and drop the VPN location file you’ve downloaded. Alternatively, you can click browse and select the VPN location file.
    3. Tick the save password field, and enter your Surfshark credentials.
    4. Press connect.
    5. You will now be notified that an external certificate is missing. You can safely ignore this warning by clicking continue. To not receive this warning again, tick the don’t show again for this profile box.
    6. And you’re connected. To disconnect, toggle the highlighted switch.
    7. If you wish to connect to a different location, click the plus icon at the bottom-right of the screen and repeat the procedure using a different server.

    Ensure the connection is successful

     

    We always recommend checking if Surfshark VPN is working after setting it up for the first time. You can easily do it by performing Surfshark IP leak test and a DNS leak test. For your convenience, both are available on our website.





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