OpenVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) system that implements techniques to create secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities. It implements both client and server applications.
OpenVPN allows peers to authenticate each other using pre-shared secret keys, certificates or username/password. When used in a multiclient-server configuration, it allows the server to release an authentication certificate for every client, using signatures and certificate authority.
It uses the OpenSSL encryption library extensively, as well as the TLS protocol, and contains many security and control features. As it uses a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. It is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls.
OpenVPN has been ported and embedded on several systems. For example, DD-WRT has the OpenVPN server function. SoftEther VPN, a multi-protocol VPN server, also has an implementation of the OpenVPN protocol.
What is OpenVPN?
OpenVPN by OpenVPN, Inc. (developed by OpenVPN Inc.) is open-source Windows software in the vpn & proxy category. It ranks 1st by popularity among vpn & proxy in this catalogue. The first release dates back to 2002. It is written in C. Besides Windows, it is available for cross-platform.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit Windows. The main installer is 5.9 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.7.701, released on September 3, 2026. The version history goes back to February 24, 2021: 41 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 7.4 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 1,793,123 times. The source code on GitHub (OpenVPN/openvpn) has 14,716 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 26 of our languages. On Windows it registers 1 file type, including .ovpn. Similar programs include nginx, Proton VPN and Tailscale.
Project description on GitHub: “OpenVPN is an open source VPN daemon”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Frequent updates (about 7.4 a year)
- Small download (5.9 MB)
- Also runs on cross-platform
Cons
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: OpenVPN is an open-source vpn & proxy tool for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is OpenVPN safe to download?
- The file is served by swupdate.openvpn.org; check that it is the publisher’s official mirror
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
9069A48397C4FD4135FB9C9BAEA4863C74A465651F67E55A423A433E503100BB· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 41 versions ›41 versions over 6 years · about 7.4 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7.701Latest | September 3, 2026 | 6.2 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.601 | August 25, 2026 | 6.2 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.501 | July 2, 2026 | 6.2 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.402 | June 11, 2026 | 6.2 MB | 64-bit MSI32-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.401 | May 1, 2026 | 6.2 MB | 32-bit MSI64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.301 | April 27, 2026 | 6.2 MB | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.7.201 | April 22, 2026 | 6.2 MB | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI32-bit MSI |
| 2.7.101 | April 2, 2026 | 6.3 MB | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI32-bit MSI |
Release cycle and support
Version 2.7.701 belongs to the 2.7 release line, still supported, with no end date announced.
| Release line | Released | Support ends | Latest version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 | February 11, 2026 | not announced | 2.7.8 | Supported |
| 2.6 | January 25, 2023 | August 31, 2028 | 2.6.23 | Supported |
| 2.5 | October 27, 2020 | July 31, 2025 | 2.5.11 | End of life |
| 2.4 | December 16, 2016 | March 31, 2023 | 2.4.12 | End of life |
| 2.3 | January 2, 2013 | June 30, 2021 | 2.3.18 | End of life |
| 2.2 | April 21, 2011 | November 30, 2015 | 2.2.3 | End of life |
| 2.1 | December 11, 2009 | November 30, 2011 | 2.1.4 | End of life |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id OpenVPNTechnologies.OpenVPN -echoco install openvpn -yscoop install extras/openvpnmsiexec /i OpenVPN-2.7.7-I001-amd64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {94991384-92E2-41D4-B467-B45C47C31CD3} /qn /norestartProgram files (.exe): openvpn.exe
Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install openvpnInformation
- Publisher
- OpenVPN, Inc.
- Developer
- OpenVPN Inc.
- Category
- VPN & proxy
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/OpenVPN/openvpn
- Written in
- C
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64, 32-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Other platforms
- cross-platform
- Version
- 2.7.701
- Released
- September 3, 2026
- First release
- 2002
- Added to the catalogue
- May 27, 2021
- Versions listed
- 41
- Updates / year
- 7.4
- Chocolatey downloads
- 1,793,123
- GitHub stars
- 14,716
- GitHub forks
- 3,419
- Website
- openvpn.net
- winget ID
- OpenVPNTechnologies.OpenVPN
- Chocolatey package
- openvpn
- Scoop package
- extras/openvpn
- MSI product code
- {94991384-92E2-41D4-B467-B45C47C31CD3}
File types it opens (1)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to OpenVPN
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Frequently asked questions
Is OpenVPN free?
Yes. OpenVPN is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is OpenVPN safe to download?
The download comes from swupdate.openvpn.org; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install OpenVPN with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can OpenVPN be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does OpenVPN run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of OpenVPN?
The versions page lists all 41 versions with links to their official installer files, back to February 24, 2021.
What are alternatives to OpenVPN?
nginx, Proton VPN, Tailscale, Netbird and WireGuard. The alternatives page compares them.
