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Run as Administrator

For best functionality on Windows, especially system proxy configuration, run SlipStream GUI as Administrator.
Run with admin privileges for a single session:
  1. Right-click on the SlipStream GUI shortcut or .exe file
  2. Select “Run as administrator”
  3. Click “Yes” in the UAC prompt
You’ll need to do this each time you launch the app.
Configure the app to always run with admin privileges:
  1. Right-click on the SlipStream GUI shortcut
  2. Select “Properties”
  3. Go to the “Compatibility” tab
  4. Check “Run this program as an administrator”
  5. Click “OK” and “Apply”
The app will now request admin privileges automatically on every launch.
Administrator privileges are required for:
  • System proxy configuration: Modifying HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
  • WinHTTP proxy: Running netsh winhttp set proxy
  • Killing processes on ports: Using taskkill for port conflicts
The app will work without admin privileges, but:
  • System proxy won’t be configured automatically
  • You’ll need to configure proxy settings manually
  • Port conflicts must be resolved manually
If the UAC prompt doesn’t appear when running as Administrator, your system security settings may prevent privilege elevation. Check your Group Policy settings or contact your system administrator.

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System proxy configuration

Windows uses both WinINET (user proxy) and WinHTTP (system proxy). SlipStream GUI configures both for maximum compatibility.
This usually means the app doesn’t have admin privileges.Solutions:
  1. Run the app as Administrator (see above)
  2. Or configure proxy manually:
    • Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
    • Enable Manual proxy setup
    • Proxy server: 127.0.0.1:8080
    • Port: 8080
    • Click Save
Configure the user proxy for browsers and most applications:Via Settings UI:
  1. Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
  2. Manual proxy setup
  3. Proxy server: 127.0.0.1:8080
  4. Use the proxy server except for addresses that start with: <local>
  5. Click Save
Via Registry (Advanced):
# Run in PowerShell (Admin)
$path = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings'
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name ProxyEnable -Type DWord -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name ProxyServer -Type String -Value '127.0.0.1:8080'
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name ProxyOverride -Type String -Value '<local>'
Some applications and Windows services use WinHTTP instead of WinINET.Set WinHTTP proxy:
# Run in Command Prompt (Admin)
netsh winhttp set proxy proxy-server="127.0.0.1:8080" bypass-list="<local>"
Check WinHTTP proxy status:
netsh winhttp show proxy
Reset WinHTTP proxy:
netsh winhttp reset proxy
SlipStream GUI automatically configures both WinINET and WinHTTP when running as Administrator.
If proxy settings remain after stopping the VPN:Reset via Command Prompt (Admin):
netsh winhttp reset proxy
Reset via PowerShell (Admin):
$path = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings'
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name ProxyEnable -Type DWord -Value 0
Via Settings:
  1. Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
  2. Turn off Manual proxy setup
The app attempts to restore previous proxy settings when it exits, but this requires admin privileges.

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Windows Defender and antivirus

Windows Defender or other antivirus software may quarantine the SlipStream client binary.
If you see “SlipStream client binary not found” errors:Check Windows Defender Protection History:
  1. Open Windows Security
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection
  3. Click Protection history
  4. Look for slipstream-client-win.exe in the list
  5. If found, click Actions → Restore or Allow
Prevent future quarantines:
  1. Open Windows Security
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection
  3. Click Manage settings (under Virus & threat protection settings)
  4. Scroll to Exclusions
  5. Click Add or remove exclusions
  6. Click Add an exclusion → Folder
  7. Add your SlipStream GUI installation folder:
    • Installer version: C:\Program Files\SlipStream GUI
    • Portable version: Your chosen folder
If using other antivirus (Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, etc.):
  1. Check quarantine/blocked files list
  2. Restore slipstream-client-win.exe
  3. Add installation folder to whitelist/exclusions
  4. Reinstall if binary was deleted
Only add exclusions for software you trust. Download SlipStream GUI only from the official releases page.

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Firewall configuration

Windows Firewall may block ports 8080 and 5201.
Via Windows Defender Firewall:
  1. Open Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall
  2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall
  3. Click Change settings (requires admin)
  4. Click Allow another app
  5. Browse to SlipStream GUI executable
  6. Add it and ensure both Private and Public are checked
Run as Administrator:
# Allow HTTP proxy port
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="SlipStream HTTP Proxy" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=8080

# Allow SOCKS5 port
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="SlipStream SOCKS5" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=5201
Remove rules when done:
netsh advfirewall firewall delete rule name="SlipStream HTTP Proxy"
netsh advfirewall firewall delete rule name="SlipStream SOCKS5"
To test if the firewall is the issue:
  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall
  2. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off
  3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (both private and public)
  4. Test SlipStream GUI
  5. Remember to turn the firewall back on
Only disable the firewall temporarily for testing. Always re-enable it after troubleshooting.

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Portable vs Installer versions

Installer version:
  • ✅ Easier to install and update
  • ✅ Creates Start Menu shortcuts
  • ✅ Registers uninstaller
  • ❌ Requires installation to Program Files
  • ❌ May trigger more antivirus checks
Portable version:
  • ✅ No installation required
  • ✅ Can run from USB drive
  • ✅ Easier to move or delete
  • ❌ No automatic shortcuts
  • ❌ Settings stored in app folder (not AppData)
Common issues with the portable version:
  1. Path with spaces: Ensure the folder path doesn’t have special characters
  2. Missing binaries: Check that binaries/slipstream-client-win.exe exists
  3. Permissions: Run from a folder where you have write permissions
  4. UAC: Try running as Administrator
From installer to portable:
  1. Copy settings from: %APPDATA%\SlipStream GUI\settings.json
  2. To: <portable-folder>\settings.json
From portable to installer:
  1. Install the installer version
  2. Copy settings.json from portable folder to %APPDATA%\SlipStream GUI\

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Windows-specific error codes

ErrorMeaningSolution
ENOENTFile not foundBinary missing or path incorrect
EACCESPermission deniedRun as Administrator
EADDRINUSEPort already in useKill process using port 8080 or 5201
EPERMOperation not permittedRun as Administrator
ERROR_ELEVATION_REQUIREDAdmin neededRun as Administrator
Find what’s using a port:
# Check port 8080
netstat -ano | findstr :8080

# Check port 5201
netstat -ano | findstr :5201
The last column is the Process ID (PID).Kill the process:
# Run as Administrator, replace <PID> with actual number
taskkill /PID <PID> /F
If you see execution policy errors when configuring proxy:Check current policy:
Get-ExecutionPolicy
Allow scripts (run as Admin):
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
SlipStream GUI uses -NoProfile flag to bypass most execution policy restrictions.

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Windows-specific logs

Installer version:
  • Settings: %APPDATA%\SlipStream GUI\settings.json
  • Logs: Check app’s Logs panel
Portable version:
  • Settings: <app-folder>\settings.json
  • Binaries: <app-folder>\binaries\slipstream-client-win.exe
For system-level errors:
  1. Press Win+X → Event Viewer
  2. Expand Windows Logs → Application
  3. Look for errors from “SlipStream GUI” or “Electron”
Run SlipStream from PowerShell to see detailed output:
# Navigate to installation directory
cd "C:\Program Files\SlipStream GUI"

# Run the executable
.\"SlipStream GUI.exe"

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Sharing VPN over Wi-Fi

Share your VPN connection with mobile devices on the same network.
Option 1: Command Prompt
ipconfig
Look for “IPv4 Address” under your active adapter (usually 192.168.x.x).Option 2: Settings
  1. Settings → Network & Internet
  2. Click your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
  3. Find IPv4 address
  1. Settings → Wi-Fi
  2. Long-press your network → Modify network
  3. Advanced options → Proxy → Manual
  4. Proxy hostname: Your PC’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
  5. Proxy port: 8080
  6. Save
Allow incoming connections on port 8080:
# Run as Administrator
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="SlipStream Network Share" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=8080 profile=private
This only allows connections from private networks (your home Wi-Fi), not public networks.
For issues not covered here, see Common issues or open an issue on GitHub.

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