Install OpenVPN on Windows

If you'd like to connect to Private Internet Access (PIA) using the OpenVPN client, follow the steps below.

Download and Install OpenVPN

  1. Download the latest OpenVPN Community Edition installer for Windows.

OpenVPN community website landing page.

  1. Open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer.

Windows Downloads folder displaying the "OpenVPN" installer file.

  1. Click Install Now.

The OpenVPN setup wizard window showing the "Install Now" button.

  1. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), select Yes.

A Windows User Account Control prompt asking to allow the OpenVPN app to make changes to the device.

  1. Once the installation is complete, select Close.

The OpenVPN setup wizard completion screen showing the "Close" button.
 

Generate PIA OpenVPN Configuration Files

Before you begin, make sure that you have an active PIA subscription to generate these configuration files. 

  1. Login to your PIA account.

The Private Internet Access login page with the "Log in to your PIA account" fields highlighted in a green box.

  1. Access the Downloads tab.

Private Internet Access account dashboard with the "Downloads" tab highlighted in a green box in the side menu.

  1. Scroll down and click Go to OpenVPN Generator.

Private Internet Access VPN settings page, with the "Go to OpenVPN Generator" link highlighted in a green box.

  1. Select an OpenVPN version, platform, and server location.

The OpenVPN generator configuration screen.

  1. Scroll down and select the port, check/uncheck the Use IP box, and click Generate.

The "Select Port" configuration screen for the OpenVPN generator.
 

Note: You can choose to include or exclude the server’s IP address in the configuration file.

If you include the IP, the VPN connects directly to a specific server address. This can be useful for troubleshooting or in networks where domain name lookup (DNS) doesn’t work properly.

If you exclude the IP, the file uses the server’s name instead. The system then finds the correct IP automatically, which is helpful if the server’s address changes in the future.

Connect to the VPN

  1. Launch OpenVPN GUI.
Windows desktop showing the "OpenVPN GUI" application shortcut icon highlighted with a green box.
  1. Right-click the OpenVPN icon in the Windows system tray.
Windows system tray showing the "OpenVPN GUI" icon with a hover text box highlighted with a green box.
  1. Select Import, then Import File.

The context menu for the OpenVPN GUI system tray icon, with the "Import" menu option and the "Import file..." submenu item highlighted with a green box.

  1. Select the PIA OpenVPN Configuration file.

The Windows file explorer "Open" dialog window.

  1. Double-click the OpenVPN icon in the Windows system tray.
Windows system tray displaying the OpenVPN GUI icon.
  1. Enter your PIA username and password, then select OK.

OpenVPN connection window prompting for a username and password, with the entire credential entry dialog box highlighted with a green box.

Once connected, you can verify your VPN connection by checking your public IP address with our tool.

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