# OpenVPN

Application: OpenVPN Inc.

Also called open vpn, openvpn gui, openvpn connect

OpenVPN Inc., Security

The classic userspace VPN. openvpn-gui.exe is the community Windows tray. OpenVPN Connect is the company's other client.

## What you need to know

openvpn-gui.exe wants an .ovpn. WireGuard wants a .conf.

OpenVPN is the classic userspace VPN. The community tray is openvpn-gui.exe. Connect is a different official client. WireGuard is a newer protocol. Consumer VPNs hide the profile behind a subscribe button.

- **What is it?**: Classic VPN. GUI wants an .ovpn

  **Same as WireGuard?**: No. Different protocol and file

  **Same as Connect?**: Connect is the other official client

Feex says

If the file ends in ovpn, I would open openvpn-gui.exe, not wireguard.exe. Connect is the other OpenVPN Inc. app if IT said to use that. I would not treat this as NordVPN.

## What is OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is a classic VPN protocol. openvpn-gui.exe is the community Windows client. Connect is OpenVPN Inc.'s separate client.

## If you have never used it

If someone handed you an .ovpn file, this is OpenVPN, not WireGuard. The community Windows tray is openvpn-gui.exe from community-downloads. OpenVPN Connect is the company's other app. They are not the same installer. You still need a server. This is not NordVPN and not Tailscale.

## What is it used for?

**Import an .ovpn**

IT or a vendor exports this file. WireGuard would have given you a .conf instead.

**Community GUI tray**

Right-click the tray icon to connect. Connect is a different window from OpenVPN Inc.

**Access Server and CloudConnexa**

Those are paid OpenVPN Inc. products. The community GUI can still import profiles they export.

## Who is it for?

- People who were emailed an .ovpn
- Admins who still run OpenVPN Access Server
- Anyone who should not paste that file into wireguard.exe

## Current status

Actively developed. This article is the community Windows GUI plus the protocol, not WireGuard.

## How old is it?

OpenVPN dates to 2001. It is the older userspace VPN people still deploy. WireGuard is the newer simple protocol (2018). Current community Windows builds ship the GUI plus openvpn.exe.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Community GUI

OpenVPN Connect

Access Server (server product)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Current community Windows builds list Windows 10 and later, per OpenVPN |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Light client. The tunnel is the cost                                    |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Userspace encryption while connected

  **Network demand**: Whatever the profile routes

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| openvpn-gui.exe | Community tray client. Connect is a different app |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| openvpn.exe     | Tunnel process the GUI starts                     |

## Startup components

The GUI can sit in the tray. A connection at logon is a profile option, not a Windows service you invent.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\\ |
| --------------- | -------------------------- |

## File formats

OVPN, PKI certs the profile names

## Common problems

### Connect versus community GUI mix-up

Two OpenVPN Inc. clients. IT usually names one. Installing both is how profiles disappear.

### .ovpn imported into WireGuard

Wrong app. WireGuard will not parse OpenVPN directives.

## Getting unstuck

### Get the community build from openvpn.net/community-downloads

wireguard.com is the other protocol. nordvpn.com is a consumer VPN.

### Import the .ovpn into the tray, then Connect from the icon

A silent failure is often a bad path to the config folder.

### Ask IT whether they meant Connect

OpenVPN Connect is the paid-product-friendly client. The GUI is the community tray.

## Alternatives

WireGuard if you were handed a .conf. Tailscale if you want a mesh. NordVPN if you wanted a country list without a file.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download        | [openvpn.net/community-downloads/ ](https://openvpn.net/community-downloads/)Official installer or vendor page |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help            | [openvpn.net/community-resources/ ](https://openvpn.net/community-resources/)Vendor support                    |
| Official site   | [openvpn.net/ ](https://openvpn.net/)Start here, not a random exe host                                         |
| OpenVPN Connect | [openvpn.net/client/ ](https://openvpn.net/client/)Company client. Not the community GUI                       |

## Related hardware

OpenVPN uses more CPU than WireGuard on some paths. The server you were given decides latency.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Private Internet Access: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/pia)[WireGuard: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/wireguard)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [OpenVPN official site ](https://openvpn.net/)· Vendor product page
- [OpenVPN help ](https://openvpn.net/community-resources/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: OpenVPN Inc.

  **Category**: VPN protocol and community client

  **Process**: openvpn-gui.exe

  **License**: Community GUI is open source. Connect is the company client

  **First released**: 2001

  **Official site**: [openvpn.net](https://openvpn.net/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/openvpn/)

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