Private Internet Access (PIA) Desktop 3.8.0, released October 15, 2026, changes the Windows VPN data path rather than simply increasing a server setting. WireGuard now uses the WireGuard-NT 1.1 kernel driver, which PIA says can deliver more than three times the previous WireGuard speed on higher-bandwidth systems. The same release adds OpenVPN DCO, an optional Windows kernel driver that PIA says can provide two times or more bandwidth in suitable conditions.
Those are conditional vendor claims, not a guaranteed result for every PC, internet connection or VPN server. Your actual improvement depends on hardware, ISP capacity, server distance and load, protocol choice and network conditions.
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What PIA 3.8.0 changes on Windows
WireGuard-NT 1.1 becomes the WireGuard driver
The official 3.8.0 changelog says Windows WireGuard now uses the WireGuard-NT 1.1 kernel driver. PIA describes the change as boosting WireGuard speeds by more than 3× on higher-bandwidth systems. A kernel driver can process VPN packets with less overhead than a user-space path, but the claim applies to systems capable of moving enough unencrypted traffic to expose that bottleneck.
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PIA also added the OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) kernel driver. In the Windows app, DCO is selectable as the virtual network driver for OpenVPN. PIA says it can increase connection bandwidth by 2× or more, depending on the system and connection. DCO is not a universal speed multiplier: slower broadband, a distant server or a congested route can remain the limiting factor.
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WireGuard is now the default for new installations
New PIA installations use WireGuard by default. OpenVPN remains available when compatibility, a particular network environment or an application requirement makes it preferable.
Does the update really triple VPN speed?
“More than 3×” should be read as a best-case or ceiling-style claim for higher-bandwidth Windows systems, not as an average result promised to every subscriber. PIA has not published an independent, representative benchmark series for this release across different Windows hardware, ISPs and server locations.
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PIA’s troubleshooting guidance says to measure your normal connection with the VPN disconnected and notes that WireGuard is generally faster and more efficient than OpenVPN. Even with the new driver, a VPN server’s load, the server’s distance from you, Wi-Fi interference, CPU performance and your ISP plan can dominate the result.
WireGuard versus OpenVPN with the new drivers
| Option | Windows driver status in 3.8.0 | Expected performance | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | Uses WireGuard-NT 1.1; default for new installations | PIA claims more than 3× on higher-bandwidth systems | First choice for most users and for troubleshooting slow speeds |
| OpenVPN with DCO | DCO is an optional virtual network driver | PIA claims 2× or more bandwidth depending on system and connection | When you need OpenVPN compatibility but want the newer Windows data path |
| OpenVPN without DCO | Legacy driver path remains available | No 3.8.0-specific multiplier is stated | Fallback when DCO causes a compatibility or stability problem |
The update changes throughput potential; it does not remove the normal trade-off between speed, compatibility and network behavior. If a site or network works only with OpenVPN, try DCO first, then revert to the older virtual driver if necessary.
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How to update PIA on Windows
Version 3.8.0 has Windows x64 and Windows ARM64 installers. PIA’s Windows 10/11 installation guidance requires an active subscription to use the app.
- Open PIA’s official Windows download page and choose the installer matching your Windows architecture: x64 or ARM64.
- Run the installer and complete the upgrade. Keep the app closed if the installer asks you to do so.
- Launch PIA and sign in with an account that has an active subscription.
- Open the protocol or connection settings and confirm that WireGuard is selected if you want to test the new default path.
- If you use OpenVPN, select OpenVPN as the protocol and choose the OpenVPN DCO virtual network driver where that option is offered.
- Reconnect to the VPN after changing the protocol or driver.
The app can notify you when an update is available. PIA’s official Downloads page also carries the latest desktop build and links to the current release notes and the previous five changelogs, which is useful if you need to identify a change or roll back your expectations after an upgrade.
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How to test whether your connection got faster
Use a repeatable before-and-after test rather than relying on the app’s traffic display. PIA states that its in-app performance widget shows actual VPN traffic over time and is not a speed test.
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- Disconnect PIA completely. On the same Windows device and network, run several tests and record download speed, upload speed and latency. Use the median rather than the single highest result.
- Connect PIA to a nearby or otherwise repeatable server. Avoid switching servers between measurements unless server selection itself is what you are evaluating.
- Run the same number of tests with WireGuard selected. Keep the test service, browser or app, Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and time window consistent.
- If you want to evaluate OpenVPN DCO, repeat the process with OpenVPN and DCO enabled, then repeat once more with the older OpenVPN driver only if you need a fallback comparison.
- Compare each VPN result with the disconnected baseline. Test at different times if the numbers vary substantially; server and ISP congestion can change independently of the software update.
What to do if speeds do not improve
- Check the baseline first: if your non-VPN connection is already near the ISP plan’s limit, a driver change cannot create additional capacity.
- Try another nearby server: distance and server load can outweigh driver gains.
- Confirm the selected protocol and driver: an upgrade alone does not guarantee that an existing installation is using the path you intended.
- Compare Ethernet with Wi-Fi: wireless interference can hide a VPN improvement.
- Use OpenVPN DCO only when OpenVPN is required: if DCO is unstable or incompatible with a particular setup, switch to the standard OpenVPN driver or return to WireGuard.
- Repeat the test: one measurement cannot separate a software change from temporary network congestion.
Who should install 3.8.0?
Windows users with fast broadband, modern hardware and a need for high VPN throughput are the most likely to notice the driver changes. WireGuard is the sensible starting point for a new installation. OpenVPN users should consider DCO when they need to stay on OpenVPN and their system supports it. Users on slower connections may see little change because their ISP, Wi-Fi or server route is already the bottleneck.
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The release is available for Windows 10 and 11 through PIA’s Windows distribution, with separate x64 and ARM64 installers. An active PIA subscription is required to operate the Windows app.
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