make OpenVPN Run as service but not auto-connect on Windows

OpenVPN is configured to run as service. It starts up successfully and auto connect. But I have more than 10 configuration files in config/, and I don't know which configuration OpenVPN uses to connect, and I find no way to disconnect, reconnect or switch connection. What I want is, having OpenVPN run as service in background (but not auto-connecting), I use OpenVPN GUI to start a connection when logging on as standard account. Any idea? Thanks you all in advance.

Noverull

Posted 2015-06-18T08:16:06.570

Reputation: 653

Answers

I use OpenVPN MI GUI. You need to edit the config files to allow for it to manage tunnels started as a service, and then it works from a standard account. I believe management-hold is the option in the config file to make it not auto-connect on startup.

metsfan

Posted 2015-06-18T08:16:06.570

Reputation: 11

management-hold is the correct option. You should close the MI GUI before editing the file and I think also the service requires a restart to pick up and changes in the config file. – icc97 – 2017-10-11T14:40:53.183

The service Mode is designed for Server mode. If you start the service (or it is started automatically) all ovpn files will connect. You can also use this feature on a client when you always want to connect to the same destination(s). But if you want to choose the connection, you should use the GUI. Is there any advantage when running a service?

BerndK

Posted 2015-06-18T08:16:06.570

Reputation: 101