OpenVPN Before Windows Login (Windows 7)

[ViperCS]

Is is possible to have OpenVPN start and connect before windows login to allow joining a domain remotely?

Is there a better way to achieve connecting to a domain for remote mobile users?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yes...there are quite a few guides out there on doing this with various OpenVPN clients.

 

[ViperCS]

Yes...there are quite a few guides out there on doing this with various OpenVPN clients.

I seem to be having trouble locating any guides for this. Any guides you could share?

 

[Markverhyden]

Basically you want to start it as a service. Found the below at - https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/Easy_Windows_Guide

Running OpenVPN as a Service

Running OpenVPN as a service will allow:

OpenVPN to be run from a non-administrator account.

OpenVPN to be started automatically on system startup. This is often preferred on the server machine, as well as any machines which will be constantly connected to the server.

Run the Windows Service administrative tool:
Press Windows Key + R
Type "services.msc" and press Enter.

services.msc

Find the OpenVPN service, and set its Startup Type to "automatic."

Optionally, start the service now.

I'm sure somewhere in there is also a place to include credentials.

 

[ViperCS]

It there a better way to go about this other than OpenVPN? The client currently has a pfsense box in place for their router.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Why not use OpenVPN, since its built in to pfSense?

 

[ViperCS]

From what I have seen there doesn't appear to be an easy or secure way to connect to openvpn before a user logs in. Please correct me if I'm wrong but openvpn requires you to manually enter the credentials in the gui or store them in plain text if you want it to be an automated login.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Ahh, that could be. I've not used it for auto login like you want to do.

 

[fencepost]

Go for an encrypted drive then go ahead and store them in plain text?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I've done the registry trick. Loads the O VPN client pre user login.
OpenVPN is secure. Depending on the VPN host, you typically don't need an authentication typed into the client. You have the user login which is the security....and often FDE before that.