Introduction
In this article, you will learn how to manually configure the OpenVPN GUI application to connect to NordVPN servers on Windows. This open-source alternative is ideal for users who prefer manual tinkering with open-source software, though it requires more steps than the NordVPN native app. It still uses the same VPN protocol — OpenVPN.
Before you start
- You cannot establish a connection using the third-party OpenVPN service if the NordVPN native app is currently installed. The NordVPN app prevents the TUN/TAP interface from initializing for other services.
- You will need your NordVPN service credentials (not your standard Nord Account email and password).
Here's what to do
Step 1: Download and install OpenVPN GUI
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Download the OpenVPN GUI application that matches your device:
- For Windows 64-bit;
- For Windows ARM64;
- For Windows 32-bit.
- Open the installation file and follow the instructions in the setup wizard. Allow the application to make changes to your device when prompted.
Step 2: Obtain your service credentials and config files
- Log in to your Nord Account and click NordVPN.
- Scroll down to Advanced Settings and click Set up NordVPN manually.
- Under the Service credentials tab, copy your Username and Password. You'll need these later when connecting.
- Switch to the OpenVPN configuration files tab. Use the dropdown menus to select your preferred country and server type, then click Download Config next to the recommended server, or scroll down to find a specific server.
Step 3: Configure the application
- Go to the folder where you downloaded the configuration files, select them all, then right-click and choose “Copy.”
- Paste the configuration files into this directory:
- Once you're there, click the parent OpenVPN folder in the address bar.
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Open the “Config” folder.
- Paste the copied configuration files in the folder by right-clicking anywhere in the folder and selecting “Paste”:
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Click “Continue” to allow the files to be extracted to the folder.
NOTE: If you are using Windows 10, add an extra line in the configuration files to prevent possible DNS leaks. To do that, open the downloaded .ovpn configuration file with any text editor and paste this line at the bottom:
block-outside-dns
Save the file before proceeding to the next step of this tutorial.
C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config\
Tip: To quickly find the OpenVPN\config\ folder, right-click
the OpenVPN GUI shortcut on your desktop and select “Open file location.”
Step 4: Connect to the VPN
- Now that the configuration files are in the proper folder for the application to detect them, open the OpenVPN GUI app by double-clicking the shortcut on your desktop.
- Allow the application to make changes to your device because they are necessary for a VPN connection.
- The application will start running in the system tray, which is the notification area next to your device's clock:
NOTE:It might also be in the hidden system tray area — click the “hidden icons” arrow to reveal it: - Right-click on the application icon, hover over one of the servers, and click “Connect.”
- Enter the NordVPN service username and service password you copied in Step 2, then click “OK.”
- In a few seconds, the application will connect and close the window. The system tray icon will turn green and show your connection status when you hover over it.
Additional tips
- To disconnect from NordVPN, right-click the system tray icon, hover over the active server, and click “Disconnect.”
- You can paste multiple .ovpn files into the config folder to switch between different locations easily - each pasted config will appear as a selectable server in the right-click menu.
