Except if you are a tech-savvy person, most Windows users are not familiar with TAP-Windows Adapter, and many would mistake it as a virus or malware. But actually, it is not. If you have installed a VPN on your computer, then you might have noticed TAP-Windows Adapter 9.21.2.

Nowadays, most people worldwide rely on the internet, whether it is for personal, business, school, or home use. Hence, most IT professionals recommend using a VPN to protect critical data and individual files from espionage and computer viruses.

However, many users complained about issues with their internet connections once enabled. So, in this article, you will know what a TAP-Windows is, how to uninstall it and reinstall it again.

What is a TAP-Windows Adapter 9.21.2?

TAP-Windows Adapter is a Shareware software installed by VPN software allowing Windows users to use a virtual TAP device functionality, and it is entirely safe and virus-free. For many VPN clients such as NordVPN, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, etc., TAP-Windows are included in the VPN installers alongside the VPN software, so you don’t need to install it separately or individually. You can find your TAP-Windows driver in the C: Program Files TAP-Windows folder, and it is required for your VPN to work.

Suppose you are connecting to a VPN browser extension. In any case, you won’t find any TAP-Windows Adapter, and neither will you enjoy any benefits such as the full features of a VPN client installed directly from your computer’s system.

If you have configured your VPN not to use the TAP-Windows Adapter for your own private connections, you can simply remove it safely. However, TAP-Windows Adapter might result in issues like an interruption with your internet connection.

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a kind of private network that protects your privacy, identity, and security online from cyber attacks, sites that get data, and other intruders. Using VPN, you can enjoy the benefit of accessing blocked websites in your country.

Where to Find TAP-Windows Adapter 9.21.2

You can find TAP-Windows Adapter in your Device Manager and Apps & Features as a driver.

It is installed by default in C:/ Program Files/Tap-Windows folder. Depending on the operating system and VPN provider you’re using, TAP-Windows Adapter may vary its exact version.

So, if you are using the newer Windows product like Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10, your TAP-Windows version should be NDIS 6 driver (TAP-Windows Version 9.21.x). With Windows XP, NDIS 5 driver (TAP-Windows Version 9.9.x) will certainly work for you.

When to Remove or Reinstall TAP-Windows Adapter 9.21.9?

There are many reasons why some VPN users uninstall their VPN. So, whatever reason you might consider why you are uninstalling your VPN, you can remove or reinstall TAP-Windows Adapter from your computer or other devices, as well.

Leaving your TAP-Windows Adapter uninstalled when you have already removed your VPN client will become a useless driver and might interfere with your connection. Some users may think that it will not affect the driver files, but there is a strong possibility that your TAP-Windows Adapter driver might become corrupted in time.

Removing TAP-Windows Adapter 9.21.9

Suppose you wish to uninstall the TAP-Windows Adapter. In that case, it is strongly advised that you need to uninstall your VPN first. It will be useless to remove the TAP-Windows Adapter because it will reappear the next time you reboot your computer if your VPN is still working actively on your device. Because VPN requires TAP-Windows Adapter every time, it will detect that the driver is missing and attempt to install it.

If you wish to remove TAP-Windows Adapter entirely on your computer or other devices, you need to uninstall your VPN applications first.

• Press both Windows key + R on your keyboard to launch the Run utility.
• Key-in appwiz.cpl to open Programs and Features window.

• Then locate the VPN client you are currently using.
• Right-click on the VPN client, then select Uninstall from the dropdown menu.
• Follow the on-screen instructions then you can proceed to uninstall your TAP-Windows Adapter.

Reinstalling TAP Windows Adapter 9.21.9

One of the reasons why there is a need to uninstall and reinstall your TAP-Windows Adapter is to make sure that it is not corrupted. Follow the easy steps below to reinstall the TAP-Windows Adapter safely on your device.

• Close and end your VPN software and VPN connection.
• Press Windows + R to open a Run window.
• Type in “devmgmt.msc”, ignoring the quotation marks, then click the OK button to launch  Device Manager in a separate window.

• Scroll down to locate the Network Adapter V9.21.2 driver in the Device Manager, then expand the drop-down menu.
• Locate the TAP-Windows Adapter. You will find that there is an exclamation mark next to the icon of the driver, which requires you to reinstall it.

• Right-click on the driver, then select Uninstall device from the context menu option.
• So, if you have just uninstalled it successfully, open your VPN client again.
• A prompt will require you to install the missing Network Driver (TAP-Windows Adapter) or reinstall it automatically.

• After completing the installation, check if your connection problem has been resolved.

Does this help you?

We hope this article has provided you with the information you need about TAP-Windows Adapter 9.21.2. Should you want to read more about troubleshooting issues and other Microsoft-related issues, please head to our blog page, where you can find helpful information to solve your computer-related queries.

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