OpenVPN Setup for Windows
Complete guide to configuring OpenVPN on your Windows PC
π Before You Begin
Ensure you have your CodaMail VPN credentials ready. You'll need your VPN username and password (different from your email login) to connect to our secure VPN servers.
Important: All VPN and proxy servers are under the cotse.net domain. The codamail.com domain is exclusively for email services.
π» Step 1: Choose Your OpenVPN Client
We recommend two excellent OpenVPN clients for Windows:
π₯ Step 2: Download Configuration Files
Download one or more of the following Windows-specific OpenVPN configuration files to your Windows PC:
Windows-Specific Configs: These configuration files include Windows-specific settings like block-outside-dns to prevent DNS leaks and ensure optimal security on Windows systems.
π¬π§ London Server
πΊπΈ Denver Server
π³π± Amsterdam Server
π§ Step 3A: OpenVPN GUI Setup (Recommended)
Installation:
Download the Windows installer from openvpn.net
Run the installer as Administrator
Follow the installation wizard (default settings are fine)
Allow Windows Firewall access when prompted
Restart your computer if prompted
Configuration Setup:
Navigate to
C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config folderCopy your downloaded .ovpn files into this folder
If you can't access the folder, copy files to:
%USERPROFILE%\OpenVPN\configRight-click the OpenVPN GUI desktop icon
Select "Run as administrator" (required for the first run)
π± Step 3B: OpenVPN Connect Setup (Alternative)
Installation:
Download OpenVPN Connect from Microsoft Store or openvpn.net
Install the application
Launch OpenVPN Connect
Import Configuration:
Click the "+" button or "Import Profile"
Select "File" tab
Browse to your downloaded .ovpn file
Click "Upload File"
The profile will be imported and ready to configure
π Step 4: Configure Authentication
For OpenVPN GUI:
Right-click the OpenVPN GUI icon in your system tray
Select your server configuration (e.g., "Connect london")
When prompted, enter your credentials:
Username: Your VPN username
Password: Your VPN password
Check "Save password" to remember credentials
For OpenVPN Connect:
Click on your imported profile
Enter your VPN credentials in the Username/Password fields
Enable "Save Password" if desired
Click "Save" or "Done"
π Step 5: Connect to VPN
Using OpenVPN GUI:
Right-click the OpenVPN GUI icon in your system tray
Select "Connect" for your desired server
The tray icon will change color to show connection status
Green icon indicates successful connection
A balloon notification will confirm connection
Using OpenVPN Connect:
Toggle the switch next to your server profile
The status will change from "Disconnected" to "Connected"
Connection details will show your new IP address
βοΈ Advanced Configuration
Windows-Specific Options:
Start with Windows: Add OpenVPN GUI to startup programs
Auto-connect: Configure automatic connection on startup
DNS Settings: Use VPN DNS servers for enhanced privacy
Kill Switch: Enable "Block local network access" in advanced settings
Network Optimization:
Default Port: Config files use port 1194/UDP by default
Alternative Ports Available: If blocked, servers also listen on:
UDP: 20, 123, 31482 (bypasses most firewalls)
TCP: 443, 80, 993 (works on restrictive networks)
Edit the .ovpn file to change
remote server-address 1194 udp to use any alternative portDefault UDP protocol provides best performance
Switch to TCP if UDP is blocked by corporate firewalls
Adjust Windows network adapter settings if needed
Disable IPv6 if experiencing connection issues
Security Enhancements:
Run OpenVPN as Administrator for full system integration
Configure Windows Firewall rules for additional protection
Use OpenVPN's built-in logging for troubleshooting
π Server Selection Guide
Performance Recommendations:
London: Excellent for European users and general international access
Denver: Best for North American users, central US location
Amsterdam: Great for European users, known for strong privacy laws
Usage Scenarios:
Choose the geographically closest server for best speeds
Switch servers if experiencing slow performance or blocks
Consider server location for accessing region-specific content
Test multiple servers to find the best performance for your connection
π§ Troubleshooting
Common Windows-specific issues and solutions:
Installation Failed: Run installer as Administrator and disable antivirus temporarily
TAP Adapter Issues: Reinstall the TAP-Windows adapter from OpenVPN installer
Connection Timeout: Check Windows Firewall and antivirus settings
DNS Resolution Problems: Flush DNS cache:
ipconfig /flushdnsNo Internet After Connect: Restart network adapter or reboot computer
Administrator Rights Required: Always run OpenVPN GUI as Administrator
Windows Version Specific:
Windows 10/11: Ensure Windows Defender allows OpenVPN through firewall
Corporate Networks: May need to configure proxy settings
Antivirus Software: Add OpenVPN to whitelist/exceptions
Network Drivers: Update network adapter drivers if experiencing issues
Common Error Messages:
"All TAP adapters are in use": Disable unused network adapters
"Authentication failed": Verify username/password are correct
"Connection timeout": Try different server or protocol (TCP vs UDP)
π Need Help?
If you need additional assistance with OpenVPN setup on Windows or encounter any issues not covered in this guide, please contact our support team at helpdesk@codamail.com.
We're here to help ensure your VPN connection works perfectly and keeps your Windows PC browsing secure and private.