How to uninstall OpenVPN completely?

OpenVPN is not your typical VPN. Technically, it is not a service but a protocol that allows you to connect to a server remotely. It is not a stand-alone product. You will still have to subscribe to a VPN service provider even while using OpenVPN. However, it is one of the best protocols out there. Most VPN service providers use OpenVPN protocol, which in itself is a tremendous accomplishment. It is way secure as it uses the OpenSSL library. But its popularity is due to it being completely free. Despite all of it, if you are looking for a way to uninstall OpenVPN from your devices, then look no further.

OpenVPN may be good, but it still has a few disadvantages, which lead users to get rid of it. If you continue reading, you will find the various reasons people give while uninstalling OpenVPN from their devices. And also the proper methods towards uninstalling the client.

Note — Keep in mind that OpenVPN is not a service provider; it is a protocol needed to connect to the server. The user will need a separate VPN provider for access to use OpenVPN.

Reasons to remove OpenVPN –

As the name suggests, OpenVPN is an open-source protocol. Many VPNs use this protocol for free. It can be a bit slower, but certainly, it is the best protocol for security and privacy. It is hack-free. OpenVPN enjoys immense regular development and modifications because of its open-source nature; Yielding to its vast worldwide community. But it is NOT a VPN client I would recommend to a new user. It is very technical to set up and use OpenVPN, even with the desktop/mobile client offered. To properly utilize the most benefit out of the protocol, you need advanced technical knowledge. While some can overlook its inability to unlock geo-blocked restrictions, new uses would be confused while setting it up.

Several reasons to get rid of OpenVPN –

1. Dependent on 3rd party service providers. — OpenVPN needs a third-party service provider for access to remote servers. It is only a protocol.
2. Too complex — It can be a bit complex for first-time users. The dedicated client has a simple interface with configurable options, which may seem a bit too much at times.
3. Lengthy to Set up and Difficult to configure — Although OpenVPN has its dedicated VPN client, it is a lot harder to configure manually and set it up than it seems. Especially; when it requires a lot of advanced technical knowledge.
4. Limited no. of servers — It has a total of only 50 server connections.
5. Unable to bypass geo-blocked restrictions — OpenVPN is useless when it comes to circumventing geo-blocked restrictions.
6. Some business proxies do not allow OpenVPN.

OpenVPN, no doubt, is an excellent option for those with the know-how. It’s totally free and highly secure. But as mentioned above, it’s not for everyone. We will now be exploring various methods to safely and completely; uninstall OpenVPN.

Uninstall OpenVPN Connect from various platforms

OpenVPN has substantial accessibility. It provides its dedicated client application, namely OpenVPN Connect, on all major platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Uninstall OpenVPN from your Windows device

If you’re running OpenVPN or OpenVPN Connect (the desktop client) on your Windows but want to remove it, then follow the steps below for the complete removal of OpenVPN Connect.

There are two principal methods you can use to remove OpenVPN. First is the automatic uninstallation, and the second is to get rid of OpenVPN manually.

Note — Please ensure that OpenVPN has ceased all actions before you initiate the uninstallation. The client, if running in the background, can cause errors. To ascertain smooth operation, follow these set of instructions:

• Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del
• Find OpenVPN in the list. (IF running)
• Select OpenVPN and click on End Task.

Remove OpenVPN Automatically on Windows (via App)

Automatically removal of a program, this method is highly recommended. There are lots of windows applications that can help you remove a program from your device in seconds. It is simple and easy. Also, with an automatic uninstaller, you don’t need to worry about the leftover files and folders.

Revo Uninstaller is one such app, which I will be using for this article.

1. First, head over to the Revo Uninstaller homepage and download the software.
2. After the download finishes, locate the file and click on it to install.
3. Now, run the Revo Uninstaller program.
4. On the left side of the program, you will find the Logs Database menu.
5. Click on it. A side menu will show now.
6. In the search box, now type OpenVPN Connect.
7. Select the Application from the Logs display and click on uninstall.
8. When prompted, click on Ok/Yes. After it finishes, on the screen, select the leftover files and folders.
9. Click on Remove to get rid of residual files.
10. Click on Finish to end the removal process.

Remove OpenVPN Manually on Windows

There are a few methods that can aid you in the process of uninstallation. We will discuss a couple of the easiest ones here. However, first, you need to know which version of Windows are you running? As the process may vary a bit, depending on the application version.

Note — Keep in mind that manual uninstallation will leave behind some leftover files. Be sure to delete them to avoid further complications/errors.

Remove OpenVPN Connect with Apps & Preferences/Programs & Features

Remove OpenVPN Connect via native uninstaller

1. First, locate the folder where you have installed OpenVPN.
   • For Windows 10: Click on search and type OpenVPN, 
   • then right click and select show in folder.
     • For Windows 7 or older: Go to start menu and find OpenVPN,
     • then right click and select show in folder.
2. Now locate the uninstall.exe file.
   • It can be named uninst000, Uninstall, or Uninstaller.
3. Double-click on the file to run the program.
4. Follow the uninstall wizard to completely uninstall OpenVPN from your device.

Remove the leftover files

• Press Windows + R keys at a time (Click on Run from the start menu)
• Write regedit in the box that popped up and hit enter.
  • It will open your Windows registry
• Navigate to the registry key or press CTRL + F to open Find in Windows registry.
• Type OpenVPN to find related folders.
• Expand them one at a time and delete manually.

Uninstall OpenVPN connect from macOS

We all know that uninstalling applications on Mac are a lot better than windows. It’s because applications on Mac are bundled as one file. They are self-containing. Thus, removing an application on Mac is as easy as dragging and dropping it to the Trash bin.

This article will explain the methods you can exercise to uninstall OpenVPN from Mac. These are Automatic uninstallation and Manual uninstallation, respectively.

Automatically remove OpenVPN Connect from your macOS

For sure, this method engages third-party applications. But it is efficient, hassle-free, and comes highly recommended.

For the sake of this guide, I will be using App Cleaner & Uninstaller.

1. Find App Cleaner & Uninstaller from the app store.
2. Download and install it.
3. Run the app, it will auto scan and show you a list of all the applications installed on your device.
4. Find and select OpenVPN from the list.
5. Click on the remove option and done.

Manually remove OpenVPN Connect from your macOS

Follow the steps for a worry-free uninstallation experience:

1. Press Cmd + Opt + Esc.
   • Then select OpenVPN and click on force quit.
2. Run Activity monitor via utility folder in launchpad.
3. Select All Processes from the drop-down menu and click it.
4. Find and select the processes related to OpenVPN and click on Quit Process.
5. Then, head to Finder > Application folder.
6. Enter OpenVPN in search and then drag it to the trash bin.
   • You can also use the command Cmd+Del 
   • Or just move the file to the trash bin.
7. OpenVPN has been deleted.
8. Now, Open the Finder and go to the Menu Bar.
9. Go to Folder and then enter the path of the Application Support folder under: ~/Library/…
   • For preference files  ~/Library/Preferences
   • and for support files ~/Library/Application Support
   • for anything related to cache ~/Library/Caches
10. Select those files and move them to the trash bin.
11. Empty the trash bin.

Uninstall OpenVPN Connect from Linux

The following Commands can effectively remove OpenVPN from your Linux devices.

1. Run Command terminal.
2. Enter sudo apt-get remove openvpn for a simple removal.
3. If you want to get rid of the dependent package along with OpenVPN enter
   • sudo apt-get remove –auto-remove openvpn
4. If you want to remove configuration files as well then use Purge command
   • sudo apt-get purge openvpn
   • Or sudo apt-get purge –auto-remove openvpn to delete everything related to OpenVPN.

Remove OpenVPN from Android

There are several means to remove OpenVPN from your Android. We will only talk about two of them.

Remove OpenVPN via Home Screen

1. Find the OpenVPN app on your screen.
2. Long press it until a popup appears.
3. From the options, click on uninstall.
4. Click on yes/ok when prompted and done.

Uninstall OpenVPN via Setting

Note — Some steps may vary for some users, as it depends on the kind of device you are on and the version you are running.

1. Go to your phone settings.
2. Click on Application menu (might differ version to version)
3. Go to the list of installed apps.
4. From the list, locate OpenVPN Connect and click on it.
5. Now click on uninstall.
6. Select yes/ok if prompted.

Uninstall OpenVPN Connect from iOS

1. Find setting menu on your iOS device.
2. Now go to General and from there Profile.
3. Find the OpenVPN Connect icon and click on it.
4. Tap on delete.
5. Enter your password/pin for authentication.
6. Go to Home screen and long press OpenVPN Connect icon.
7. Click the ‘X‘ button.
8. And done.

Conclusion

The OpenVPN is no doubt one of the trusted protocols out there. It is, in fact, used by most of the leading VPN service providers too. However, it is by no means beginner-friendly. On top of that, it is not a service provider, which may confuse a few users. If you are running OpenVPN and decide to uninstall it, I’d recommend finding a VPN provider which uses OpenVPN as a protocol.