How to Host OpenVPN Server in Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide for Dev

Dear Dev, if you are looking for a secure way to access your network resources remotely, then hosting an OpenVPN server on your Windows 10 machine can be an excellent solution. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up an OpenVPN server in Windows 10, step-by-step. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites and Requirements

Before we begin with the installation and configuration process, let’s first go through the prerequisites and requirements to host OpenVPN server on Windows 10:

1. A Windows 10-based computer
2. An internet connection
3. Admin access to the computer
4. OpenVPN software

If you have all the above requirements, we can proceed further.

STEP 1: Download and Install OpenVPN

The first step is to download and install the OpenVPN software on your Windows 10 machine. You can download it from the official website. Select the version that is compatible with your system and download it. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your computer.

After the installation process is complete, launch the OpenVPN GUI by searching for it in the Start menu. You should see a “yellow icon” in your system tray located at the bottom right corner of your screen. Right-click on the icon and select “Import file.”

STEP 2: Generate Certificates and Keys

Before we move forward with configuring the OpenVPN server in Windows 10, we need to generate some certificates and keys. These certificates and keys will help us authenticate and encrypt the traffic between the OpenVPN client and the server.

To generate the certificates and keys, you can use the easy-rsa tool that comes bundled with the OpenVPN installation package. Navigate to the easy-rsa directory (C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\easy-rsa) in command prompt as shown below:

Command Prompt
cd C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\easy-rsa

Now, let’s initialize the easy-rsa scripts by running the following command:

Command Prompt
init-config.bat

Next, we need to create the necessary certificates and keys by running the following command:

Command Prompt
vars.bat

After that, run the following command to generate the necessary certificates and keys:

Command Prompt
build-ca.bat

Once the certificates and keys are generated, we can proceed to configure the OpenVPN server in Windows 10.

STEP 3: Configure OpenVPN Server in Windows 10

To configure the OpenVPN server in Windows 10, we need to create a configuration file. This configuration file will include all the necessary settings and parameters required by the OpenVPN server to function correctly.

Open Notepad and create a new file called “server.ovpn” (without quotes). Ensure that you save this file in the C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config directory as shown below:

Command Prompt
cd C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config

Now, copy and paste the following content into the “server.ovpn” file:

Server Configuration
dev tun
proto udp
port 1194
ca “C:\\Program Files\\OpenVPN\\config\\ca.crt”
cert “C:\\Program Files\\OpenVPN\\config\\server.crt”
key “C:\\Program Files\\OpenVPN\\config\\server.key”
dh “C:\\Program Files\\OpenVPN\\config\\dh2048.pem”
server 10.8.0.0 255.255.255.0
ifconfig-pool-persist ipp.txt
keepalive 10 120
comp-lzo
persist-key
persist-tun
status openvpn-status.log
verb 3
client-to-client

Save the file and exit Notepad.

STEP 4: Start OpenVPN Server Service

Now that we have created the OpenVPN server configuration file, let’s start the OpenVPN server service. To start the service, open Command Prompt with administrative privileges and run the following command:

Command Prompt
“C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe” –connect server.ovpn

If everything goes smoothly, you should see the OpenVPN server icon turn green in your system tray. Congratulations! You have successfully hosted an OpenVPN server in Windows 10.

FAQs

Q: What is OpenVPN?

A: OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure online communications. It is widely used for secure remote access to private networks, including corporate networks, from anywhere in the world.

Q: Can I host an OpenVPN server on Windows 10?

A: Yes, you can host an OpenVPN server on Windows 10. You will need to download and install the OpenVPN software, create certificates and keys, and configure the OpenVPN server to get started.

Q: Is OpenVPN free?

A: Yes, OpenVPN is a free and open-source software. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

Q: What are the benefits of using OpenVPN?

A: OpenVPN provides several benefits, including:

• Strong encryption to protect against eavesdropping and hacking
• Ability to bypass network restrictions and access restricted content
• Flexibility in terms of configuration and customization
• Open-source and free software

Q: Is OpenVPN secure?

A: Yes, OpenVPN is considered one of the most secure VPN protocols available. It uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure online communications and supports several encryption algorithms and ciphers.

Q: Can I use OpenVPN with my mobile device?

A: Yes, you can use OpenVPN with your mobile device. OpenVPN supports several mobile platforms, including Android and iOS.

Q: How can I troubleshoot OpenVPN server connection issues?

A: If you are experiencing issues connecting to your OpenVPN server, try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check your firewall settings to ensure that OpenVPN traffic is not being blocked
• Make sure that the OpenVPN server is running and that the configuration file is correct
• Check your network connection and make sure you have a stable internet connection

Conclusion

Hosting an OpenVPN server in Windows 10 can be a great way to secure your online communications and access network resources remotely. We hope that this guide has been helpful in getting you started with hosting an OpenVPN server in Windows 10. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below.