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Today I will show you how to connect to ExpressVPN using the OpenVPN protocol and app on Windows 11 (this also works for any version of Windows). OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol and probably the most widely supported. It’s a little more complex to set up than other protocols like SSTP and L2TP/IPsec, but the extra speed and security are definitely worth the effort. If you don’t already have an account with ExpressVPN, you can purchase here: ExpressVPN.

Contents

• Download & Install OpenVPN
• Download OpenVPN configuration files & credentials
• Install OVPN configs and connect
• Conclusion
• See Also
• Further Reading

Download & Install OpenVPN

First, let’s download and install the OpenVPN application for Windows 11. OpenVPN have two different versions for Windows: a 32bit, and a 64bit installer. If you’re not sure whether your Windows 11 is 32bit or 64bit, just download the 32bit which will work on either.

1. Download OpenVPN (choose either Windows 32-bit MSI installer or Windows 64-bit MSI installer)
2. Go to your Downloads folder and locate the OpenVPN-x.x.x-I602-amd64.msi package and double-click it to begin installation. Follow the prompts and leave everything at defaults.
3. Open File Explorer and navigate to: This PC -> Local Disk C -> Users -> [username] -> OpenVPN -> config and keep this location open for later
   

Download OpenVPN configuration files & credentials

1. Visit the ExpressVPN Setup Page (login if required)
2. On the right, you will see your username and password (record them) and a list of OpenVPN configuration files
   
3. Choose a location (i.e. Americas) and download the .ovpn file(s)

Install OVPN configs and connect

1. Navigate to your Downloads folder and locate the .ovpn files, right-click and copy
2. Go back to the File Explorer window we setup earlier and paste the .ovpn file(s) into the config folder
   
3. Navigate to Desktop and double-click the OpenVPN GUI icon (it may already be running)
4. Locate the OpenVPN taskbar icon bottom-right of your screen (you may need to click the arrow to expand icons)
   
5. Right-click the icon, choose a location, then click Connect
   
6. OpenVPN will attempt to connect to your chosen location/server. If successful, you will be assigned an IP address
7. You should now be connected to ExpressVPN using the OpenVPN protocol.

Conclusion

If you had any issues connecting, hit me up in the comments or socials/email. If you haven’t signed up for ExpressVPN, you can do so using my Affiliate Link.

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See Also

• Set up OpenVPN on macOS
• Connect OpenVPN on Ubuntu 20.04 with Network Manager

Further Reading

• OpenVPN Wiki
• How to use ExpressVPN with OpenVPN for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10