# Private Internet Access

Application: Kape

Also called pia vpn, private internet access, pia-client

Kape, Security

A consumer VPN with an older open-source client story. The window is pia-client.exe. It is not ExpressVPN, even though Kape owns both.

## What you need to know

pia-client.exe is PIA. ExpressVPN.exe is the sister Kape VPN.

Private Internet Access is a consumer VPN under Kape. The desktop client has a public source repo. ExpressVPN is a different Kape product. NordVPN is a competitor. Tailscale is a mesh.

- **What is it?**: Kape VPN with a public client repo

  **Same as ExpressVPN?**: No. Sister brand, different exe

  **Same as Tailscale?**: No. Consumer VPN

Feex says

If pia-client.exe is the window, this is PIA, not ExpressVPN. I would not run both Kape VPNs at once. The open-source client repo is PIA's story, not Lightway.

## What is Private Internet Access?

Private Internet Access is a Kape consumer VPN. pia-client.exe is the Windows client. ExpressVPN is a sister brand with a different exe.

## If you have never used it

If you paid Private Internet Access, this is PIA, not ExpressVPN. Download it from privateinternetaccess.com/download. pia-client.exe is the Windows app. Kape owns PIA and ExpressVPN. They remain different clients. PIA published desktop client source. That is their story, not ExpressVPN Lightway. This is not Tailscale.

## What is it used for?

**Consumer VPN tunnel**

Country servers in pia-client.exe. Not ExpressVPN.exe and not a Tailscale tailnet.

**Open-source client checkout**

PIA publishes desktop client code. ExpressVPN does not sell you Lightway that way.

**SOCKS and port extras**

Older PIA features people still search. They live in this client, not in NordVPN.

## Who is it for?

- People who bought PIA years before the Kape deal
- Users who also have ExpressVPN on the same parent receipt
- Anyone who wants the published client source story

## Current status

Actively sold by Kape. This article is the Windows PIA client, not ExpressVPN.

## How old is it?

PIA launched in 2010 and later joined Kape. The open-source desktop client is a PIA talking point. Current Windows builds are pia-client.exe, not a 2011 OpenVPN GUI only.

## Versions

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

Windows client

Published desktop source

## System requirements

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

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per PIA download |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| RAM              | Light client                               |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Tunnel encryption

  **Network demand**: All traffic while connected

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| pia-client.exe | PIA desktop client |
| -------------- | ------------------ |

## Startup components

pia-client.exe can connect at logon from its settings.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\Private Internet Access\\ |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------ |

## Common problems

### PIA plus ExpressVPN both live

Two Kape tunnels. Pick one.

### Old OpenVPN config next to the new app

The modern path is pia-client.exe. A leftover .ovpn in OpenVPN GUI is a second tunnel you forgot.

## Getting unstuck

### Install from privateinternetaccess.com/download

expressvpn.com is the sister. A "PIA crack" host is not the vendor.

### Sign in with the PIA account

An ExpressVPN code will not unlock pia-client.exe.

### Disconnect other VPNs before a leak test

Two clients make the test meaningless.

## Alternatives

ExpressVPN if you already pay that Kape brand. Mullvad or NordVPN for another vendor. OpenVPN GUI if you were handed a raw .ovpn.

## Official help and downloads

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

| Download              | [www.privateinternetaccess.com/download ](https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/download)Official installer or vendor page |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help                  | [helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com/ ](https://helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com/)Vendor support                          |
| Official site         | [www.privateinternetaccess.com/ ](https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/)Start here, not a random exe host                 |
| Desktop client source | [github.com/pia-foss/desktop ](https://github.com/pia-foss/desktop)PIA's published desktop client repo                     |

## Related hardware

The client is light. Encryption uses CPU while connected.

## 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.

[OpenVPN: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/openvpn)[ExpressVPN: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/expressvpn)[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).

- [Private Internet Access official site ](https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/)· Vendor product page
- [Private Internet Access help ](https://helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com/)· 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**: Kape

  **Category**: Consumer VPN

  **Process**: pia-client.exe

  **License**: Paid subscription. Client source is a PIA story

  **First released**: 2010

  **Official site**: [privateinternetaccess.com](https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/)

  **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/pia/)

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