Tap-windows Fixed -

is an essential but invisible component that enables VPNs and virtual networking on Windows. It provides a virtual Ethernet card that software can use to intercept, encrypt, and redirect network traffic. While most users never need to interact with it directly, understanding tap-windows helps diagnose VPN connection issues and appreciate how modern software-defined networking works on the Windows platform.

tap-windows specifically provides (Ethernet-level) functionality. For TUN-layer operations on Windows, a related driver called wintun is often used. tap-windows