--- title: 'Tutorial: Configure Global Settings with a .ocfg File' canonical: https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/tutorials/tutorial--configure-global-settings-with-a--ocfg-file/ product: OpenVPN Connect Docs description: Configure OpenVPN Connect with a .ocfg file to manage app behavior, security, and settings across Windows and macOS, in one streamlined step. keywords: OpenVPN Connect configuration file --- # Tutorial: Configure Global Settings with a .ocfg File You can configure global settings in OpenVPN Connect by creating and deploying a `.ocfg` configuration file. This file allows administrators to control application behavior, set security preferences, connection settings, or update behavior. This tutorial outlines creating and using a `.ocfg` file with OpenVPN Connect for Windows or macOS, including what values you can set. We also include examples and reference links for advanced use cases, like managing the app from the command line or combining the `.ocfg` file with deployment tools. > **Tip** > > For working with iOS global configuration files, refer to [Global Configuration File Support for iOS](https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/ios-global-configuration-file-support.md). ## Global Configuration File Support OpenVPN Connect supports global configuration files for macOS and Windows. This allows administrators to streamline application setup with a single configuration file. Refer to these topics for additional details: - [Global Configuration File Support for Windows](https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/windows-global-configuration-file-support.md) - [Global Configuration File Support for macOS](https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/macos-global-configuration-file-support.md) ## Prerequisites - OpenVPN Connect installed on a Windows or macOS device. - A text editor. ## Step 1: Create the .ocfg file 1. Open your preferred text editor and create a new file. 2. Add JSON-formatted settings using the supported schema. - **Minimal, cross-platform example (`global.ocfg`):** This example uses options that work on both Windows and macOS. (Platform-specific settings are ignored on platforms that don't support them.) ``` { "settings": { "vpn-protocol": "adaptive", "timeout": "30", "launch-at-startup": "true", "connect-on-launch": "true", "seamless-tunnel": true, "captive-portal-detection": true, "software-update": "weekly", "theme": "system", "confirmation-dialogs": "on-disconnect", "security-level": "preferred", "enforce-tls-1-3": true, "block-ipv6": "no", "google-dns-fallback": true }, "proxies": [ { "proxy_name": "proxy1", "proxy_host": "192.0.2.1", "proxy_port": 8080, "basic_auth": true }, { "proxy_name": "proxy2", "proxy_host": "192.0.2.2", "proxy_port": 3129, "basic_auth": false } ], "profiles": [ { "profile_name": "work_profile", "profile_path": "~/Porilfes/example.ovpn" } ] } ``` `settings`: App-wide configuration (protocol, timeout, security, UI behavior). `proxies`: Preconfigure proxies (profile assignment is done in the app). `profiles` Import VPN profiles (use `profile_path` for local/HTTPS path, or `profile_body` to embed the profile content). > **Tip** > > You can customize these options. For a full list, refer to the schema for your OS: > > - [Windows](https://packages.openvpn.net/connect/v3/ovpn_win_config_schema.json) > - [macOS](https://packages.openvpn.net/connect/v3/ovpn_mac_config_schema.json) > **Caution** > > **Note on platform-specific options** > > Some options (for example, **DCO / Data Channel Offload**) are Windows-only. If you include a setting that isn’t supported on the current OS, OpenVPN Connect will ignore it at import time. Use the Windows and macOS schema references to see what’s supported per platform. 3. Save the file as the `.ocfg` extension. - Use a `.ocfg` extension (e.g., `global.ocfg`). - Follow the JSON format. - Adhere to the schema. - Ensure your editor doesn't add a `.txt` extension (e.g., `global.ocfg.txt`). ## Step 2: Deploy the .ocfg file Refer to your OS for importing the global config file. ### Windows: Importing global config You can import a global configuration file with the OpenVPN Connect app or from the command line: 1. **With the help of standard GUI:** - Double-click the **.ocfg** file or drag and drop it into OpenVPN Connect. 2. **Using CLI:** - Execute the following OpenVPN Connect CLI command in a terminal: ``` --import-config= ``` > **Tip** > > **Importing Tips** > > - You can't import a config during an active VPN connection. > - Users will be prompted to replace or discard changes if the config contains existing profile or proxy names. ### macOS: Importing global config There are two ways you can import a global config: 1. **With the help of standard GUI:** - Double-click the **.ocfg** file or drag and drop it into OpenVPN Connect. 2. **Using CLI:** - Execute the following OpenVPN Connect CLI command in a terminal: ``` --import-config= ``` > **Tip** > > **Importing Tips** > > - You can't import a config during an active VPN connection. > - Users will be prompted to replace or discard changes if the config contains existing profile or proxy names. ## Step 3: Verify the configuration 1. Launch OpenVPN Connect. 2. Navigate to the settings to confirm that the configurations from the `.ocfg` file have been applied. 3. Check for expected behaviors such as predefined proxy settings and imported profiles. --- Prev: [Tutorial: Import a PKCS #12 Certificate in OpenVPN Connect](https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/tutorials/tutorial--import-a-pkcs--12-certificate-in-openvpn-connect.md) Next: [Tutorial: Create and Use Proxy Settings](https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/tutorials/tutorial--create-and-use-proxy-settings.md) Index: https://openvpn.net/connect-docs/llms.txt