1. Installation
System Requirements
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
- 4 GB RAM minimum
- 100 MB free disk space
- Active internet connection
- Administrator privileges (for VPN tunnel setup)
Installing Califax VPN
- Download Califax VPN Setup from califaxvpn.guardlinkx.com
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts
- If Windows SmartScreen appears, click More info then Run anyway
- The app will launch automatically after installation
2. Getting Started
Creating an Account
- Open Califax VPN
- Click Register and enter your name, email, and password
- Or enter a License Key if you have one
- New users receive a 14-day free trial with full access
Connecting to VPN
- On the Home screen, click the Connect button
- A Windows UAC prompt may appear the first time — click Yes
- Wait for the status to change to "Connected"
- The status bar will show "SECURED" when the VPN is active
Tip: Califax VPN automatically selects the best server and protocol for your connection. No manual configuration needed.
3. Navigation
The desktop app has a sidebar with the following sections:
Home
Your main dashboard showing:
- Connection status and duration
- Active server location
- Encryption status
- Quick connect/disconnect button
Servers
Interactive globe showing all available server regions:
- Click any region to select it
- Server load and latency indicators
- 6 global regions: US East, US West, Europe (Frankfurt), Europe (London), Asia (Tokyo), Canada (Montreal)
Protocols
Choose your tunnel mode:
- Shield Mode — Maximum compatibility, works on all networks including corporate and hotel WiFi
- Velocity Mode — Fastest connection, ideal for streaming and downloads
- Stealth Mode — Multi-layered encryption with double routing for maximum privacy
- AI Auto-Select — Intelligent protocol selection based on your network conditions (recommended)
Privacy
Privacy and security dashboard showing:
- RAM-only server verification
- Decentralized identity status
- Warrant canary status
- Hardware key storage verification
- Trust score breakdown
- Export privacy report as text file
Business
Available for Business and Enterprise license holders:
- Sign in with your business license key
- View site connector status
- View protected resources and network policies
- Quick link to the web-based admin portal
Settings
- Kill Switch — Blocks all internet traffic if VPN disconnects unexpectedly
- Auto-Connect — Automatically connect when app starts
- Quantum-Resistant Encryption — Enable next-generation encryption
- Blockchain Identity — Link your wallet for decentralized identity verification
4. Business VPN Features
Network Admin Portal
Business and Enterprise customers can access the web-based admin portal to manage:
- Protected Resources — Define subnets, IPs, and domains that should only be accessible through VPN
- Site Connectors — Bridge your office network to the VPN cloud so remote workers can access internal resources
- VLAN Routing — Restrict specific VLANs to VPN-only access
- Firewall Rules — Auto-generated rules for AWS, Azure, GCP, Linux, and Windows
Setting Up a Site Connector
- Log in to the Network Admin Portal with your business license
- Click Add Connector and enter a name and your office LAN subnet(s)
- Copy the setup command shown
- Run the command on a machine inside your office network (requires Python 3.8+ and WireGuard)
- The connector will activate automatically and remote VPN users can access your LAN
Protecting Resources with VLAN Routing
- In the admin portal, click Add Resource
- Enter the subnet (e.g., 192.168.10.0/24)
- Set the VLAN ID to restrict that VLAN to VPN-only access
- Copy and apply the generated firewall rules on your network equipment
5. Troubleshooting
VPN won't connect
- Check your internet connection
- Try a different server region
- Restart the app
- Make sure no other VPN app is running
- Check if your firewall is blocking VPN traffic
Slow connection
- Switch to Velocity Mode in Protocol settings
- Choose a server closer to your location
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications
"Server not reachable" error
- The server may be temporarily down — try another region
- Check if your ISP or network blocks VPN traffic
- Try connecting from a different network
Certificate errors
- The app should install the required certificate automatically
- If prompted, approve the certificate installation (requires administrator)
- Restart the app after certificate installation
6. Keyboard Shortcuts
- Ctrl+C — Connect/Disconnect (from Home screen)
- Ctrl+S — Open Servers
- Ctrl+P — Open Protocols
- Ctrl+, — Open Settings
- Ctrl+Q — Close to tray
7. Contact Support
If you need further help:
- Email: services@guardlinkx.com
- Include your app version, Windows version, and a description of the issue
- We typically respond within 24 hours