TAP- Windows : What is it?

TAP- Windows is an essential part of using a VPN on Windows . But do you know what it is exactly; what is it for? Should you uninstall it?

What is TAP- Windows ?

TAP- Windows is a virtual network driver that allows VPN clients to connect to the Internet privately. It is installed automatically by most VPN software and appears in the device manager under the name “TAP- Windows Adapter V9”. It is not a virus, but it can sometimes cause connection problems or activate for no reason. It can be uninstalled easily if necessary

The TAP- Windows allows you to create a secure tunnel between your computer and the VPN server , hiding your real IP address and encrypting your data. So you can access websites blocked in your region, protect your online privacy and avoid hacker attacks.

The TAP- Windows is compatible with most Windows , from Windows XP to Windows 10. There are two versions of the driver, depending on the version of Windows you are using:

• Under Windows XP , the NDIS 5 driver (tap- windows , version 9.9.x)
• Under Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10, the NDIS 6 driver (tap- windows , version 9.21.x)

How to install and uninstall the TAP- Windows adapter?

Installation of the TAP- Windows is generally done automatically during the installation of the VPN software. You don't need to do this manually unless the VPN software asks you to or you're having connection issues.

To install the TAP- Windows manually , you can follow these steps:

Download the driver installation file from the official windows : https://swupdate.openvpn.org/community/releases/tap-windows-9.21.2.exe

• Run the file and follow the on-screen instructions

• Restart your computer if necessary

To uninstall the TAP- Windows adapter, you can follow these steps:

• Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + R keys and typing devmgmt.msc

• Expand the Network Adapters section and right-click on the TAP- Windows adapter
• Select Uninstall device and confirm

• Restart your computer if necessary

You can also uninstall the TAP- Windows adapter from the Control Panel, by going to Programs and Features and searching for Tap- Windows .

How do I troubleshoot TAP- Windows adapter issues?

Sometimes the TAP- Windows may not work properly or may interfere with your Internet connection . Here are some possible solutions to resolve these issues:

Solution 1 Windows Adapter is enabled in Device Manager. If it is disabled, right-click it and select Enable Device .

Solution 2 : Verify that the TAP- Windows does not have conflicts with other network adapters. If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to its icon, right-click it and select Fix Problems .

Solution 3 : Verify that the TAP- Windows has a valid IP address. For that :

1/ Open a command prompt by pressing Windows + R keys and typing cmd.

2/ Then type ipconfig /all and check that the TAP- Windows adapter has an IP address starting with 10.xxx or 172.xxx or 192.168.xx

3/ If this is not the case, you can try to reset the TAP- Windows by right-clicking on it and selecting Disable device , then Enable device .

Solution 4 : Verify that you are using the latest version of the TAP- Windows . For that :

1/ Right-click on the TAP- Windows adapter and select Properties.

2/ Click on the Driver tab and check the date and version of the driver.

3/ If the driver is outdated, you can update it by clicking Update Driver and following the on-screen instructions.

Solution 5 : Make sure you are using the latest version of VPN software. To do this, open the VPN software and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them and restart your computer if necessary.

Solution 6 : Check that you do not have other VPN software or firewalls blocking the TAP- Windows . To do this, temporarily disable any VPN or security software you have installed on your computer and try connecting to the VPN again.

Solution 7 : Check that you do not have viruses or malware affecting the TAP- Windows . To do this, perform a full scan of your system with an up-to-date antivirus and remove any detected threats.

What are the alternatives to the TAP- Windows adapter?

The Windows adapter is the most common network driver used by VPN software, but it is not the only one. There are other types of adapters that may offer different performance or functionality. Here are some examples :

• The TUN adapter : This is another type of virtual network interface that creates a tunnel at the IP layer (layer 3 of the OSI model). It allows only IP packets to be transmitted between the VPN client and the VPN server, which reduces network load and improves the connection speed. However, it does not support certain protocols like ICMP or ARP, which may limit some features like ping or name resolution.

• The Wintun Adapter : This is a new type of virtual network interface that was developed by the creators of WireGuard, a modern and lightweight VPN protocol. It aims to replace the TAP- Windows by offering better performance, better compatibility and better security. It is based on the NDIS 6 driver and uses advanced techniques like DMA (Direct Memory Access) or WFP ( Windows Filtering Platform) to optimize data transfer between the VPN client and the VPN server.

• The NDIS 6 adapter : This is a type of virtual network interface that uses the latest version of the Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) driver, which is the standard used by Windows to communicate with network adapters. It provides better performance and stability than the TAP- Windows Windows operating systems and supports IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. .

FAQs

Conclusion

Windows adapter is a network driver that allows VPN software to create a secure tunnel between your computer and the VPN server. Windows operating systems and VPN protocols, but it may also cause connection or performance issues. To avoid these issues, it is important to verify that the Windows Adapter is correctly installed , updated, and configured. If you don't use a VPN or prefer another type of virtual network interface, you can uninstall the TAP- Windows or opt for an alternative like the TUN Adapter, Wintun Adapter, or NDIS Adapter 6 . We hope this article helped you understand the TAP- Windows and use it effectively. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know!