Can't install Global VPN Client (GVC) on Windows 11 ARM? Solution based on the example of NSA 4600

VPN Forum
1

FIX:

1) Install SonicWALL Mobile Connect from Microsoft Store => https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrdsfkz?ocid=pdpshare&hl=en-us&gl=US

2) From the application level, click on settings => you will be taken to the VPN settings built into Windows.

3) In Windows, add a VPN network => select “VPN provider” from the list: SonicWall Mobile Connect, most importantly - enter correctly - “Server name or address” => https://server_ip_adress:4433

4) When you log in for the first time, you will be asked for your login and password.

5) That’s all, you can connect to the network from Windows itself. The Mobile Connect app will be useful for monitoring the connection.

*works on Lenovo YOGA Slim 7x Gen 9 14Q8X0 Windows 11 ARM (26100.1150);

additional information:

SonicWall support: https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/is-netextender-gvc-compatible-with-arm-processor-getting-error-this-installer-is-only-meant-for-x86-machines/240214174419030/

SonicWall forum: https://community.sonicwall.com/technology-and-support/discussion/6095/windows-11-or-10-arm-netextender-cant-connect#latest

SonicWall MobileConnect config: https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/how-can-i-configure-ssl-vpn-connections-using-mobile-connect-on-windows-10/170502784131072/

2

I thought SonicWALL stop supporting the mobile app from the Microsoft store.

3

Can I ask why you favor GVPN (which hasn’t been updated in almost 2 years) over Netextender which does get updated? Is it that NE won’t run on ARM at all? I don’t have any ARM SPs yo play with.

4

I remember when they stopped supporting (or recommending) Net Extender in favor of the app. Then they went back like two years later.

5

I thought exactly the same. I didn’t consider this application. Until I came across the entry from the SonicWall forum linked above, where they propose it as an official alternative. Most importantly: it just works.

6

So far, I have used Global VPN Client (GVC) under Windows. After migrating to Win11ARM, unfortunately GVC does not work. Based on https://www.sonicwall.com/products/remote-access/vpn-clients/ only Connect Tunnel has a dedicated ARM version (but this one won’t let me connect to the desired UTM generation). I searched the SonicWall forum and came across the website mentioned in the first post: => “Is NetExtender/GVC Compatible with ARM Processor?” and I followed the recommendations.

However, I haven’t tested NetExtender yet :slight_smile:

UPDATE:

The installation (of NetExtender) went smoothly.

Worse in terms of action: Error: Initializing engine…failed! / Error: Initializing connection parameters…

Ultimately, I was unable to get the connection to work.

I will add that I could not uninstall the program (!) … the restore point helped.

7

Uninstalling is a nightmare. You have to kill it then delete the file before it restarts. Something is broken in services and you cannot stop it or change the startup behavior.

I’ve also found that mobile connect has a high chance of throwing a socket error if you are on a physical connection vs wireless