How to configure the Smart VPN on Windows

The recommended way to use SmartVPN on Windows is to install the Liberador Windows app. The app configures SmartVPN for you and is easier to use and update than a manual OpenVPN setup.

Recommended: use the Liberador app

1. Go to https://liberador.net/download/windows/
2. Click Download for Windows.
3. Open the downloaded installer.
4. If Windows asks for permission, click Yes.
5. When the installation finishes, open Liberador.
6. Sign in with your Liberador account.
7. Use the app to enable SmartDNS, VPN, or SecureDNS with SmartVPN.

The app shows whether the connection is active and displays the Liberador checks.

When should I use manual setup?

Use manual setup with OpenVPN Connect only if you cannot install the Liberador app, do not have permission to install it, or specifically need to use a manual OpenVPN configuration.

Manual setup may require more steps and can be harder to update or troubleshoot than using the Liberador app.

Manual setup with OpenVPN Connect

1. Download and install the OpenVPN Connect app for Windows.
2. Download your Liberador SmartVPN configuration file from the SmartVPN section of your Liberador account page.
3. Open the OpenVPN Connect app.
4. Open the Import Profile page from the menu in the top-left corner of the OpenVPN Connect app.
5. Click the File tab.
6. Drag and drop the LiberadorSmartVPN.ovpn file you downloaded into the OpenVPN Connect window.
   Or
   Click the Browse button, select the LiberadorSmartVPN.ovpn file you downloaded, then click Open.
7. Click Connect.
8. If Windows or OpenVPN asks for permission, allow the connection.
9. Restart your computer.
10. Open the OpenVPN Connect app again and verify that you are connected to Liberador SmartVPN. If you are not connected, connect to Liberador SmartVPN again.

Verify the setup

Go to your Liberador account page.

The Liberador checks should turn green.

Troubleshooting OpenVPN Connect manual setup

If the Liberador checks do not turn green while you are connected to SmartVPN, try disabling DNS Fallback in OpenVPN Connect:

1. In the OpenVPN Connect app, click the menu icon in the top-left corner.
2. Click Settings.
3. Scroll down and open Advanced Settings.
4. Scroll down and disable the DNS Fallback option.
5. Connect to Liberador SmartVPN again.
6. Check the Liberador account page again.

If the checks still do not turn green, we recommend using the Liberador Windows app instead. The app can detect DNS filtering or DNS redirection and offer SecureDNS with SmartVPN when needed.