OpenVPN suits people who need an encrypted tunnel over the internet, such as staff reaching a company network or admins linking cloud data centers. This page covers version 2.7.701 for Windows. The download goes to the official server swupdate.openvpn.org, and we do not host the file.
The problem: data crossing networks you do not control
Traffic sent over the internet can be exposed along the way. OpenVPN, Inc. describes the software as a way to secure data communications for internet privacy, remote employee access, IoT security and cloud data center networking.
The tool creates VPN connections over the internet. This entry covers the software only, not server locations, speeds or any subscription service.
What the 2.7.701 build does and how it is packaged
The Windows build weighs 5.6 MB, is free, and is released under GPL-2.0. Its package ID is OpenVPNTechnologies.OpenVPN.
The tags point to general VPN and network use. If this client is not the right fit, OpenVPN Connect and WireGuard are close options, and Windscribe, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and Cloudflare One Client are also worth a look.
Check before installing: Windows service setup and config paths
Several fixes in this release concern Windows components. One covers tapctl calling netsh.exe by full path. Another concerns a local denial of service that affects setups not using the iservice, or using the automatic service to start and stop openvpn.
If you run the automatic service, read the changelog first. No independent security review is available for this release.
What's new in 2.7.701
Version 2.7.701 was released on September 3, 2026. It lists security fixes for the reliability layer and several Windows items, including CreateProcess() quoting, tapctl, NULL DACL use and config path validation.
OpenVPN pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download
- GPL-2.0 license
- Small 5.6 MB package
- Download served from the official host swupdate.openvpn.org
- Current release includes fixes for Windows service issues
Cons
- The changelog is technical and aimed at administrators
- System requirements are not a focus of the app
- Release notes are technical and written for administrators
- Few public reviews exist to judge it by
Is OpenVPN safe?
OpenVPN, Inc. releases this client under GPL-2.0, and the installer comes from swupdate.openvpn.org. Version 2.7.701 lists fixes for several CVEs, among them Windows-specific ones in tapctl, the OpenVPN service and config path handling, so older builds are worth replacing. No malware scan result is provided here, so scan the file yourself before running it.
How to install OpenVPN
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start OpenVPN from the Start menu.
