How to preset NordLayer application settings

NordLayer provides administrators the ability to define application settings during deployment on both Windows and macOS platforms. By using platform-specific configuration files, you can automatically apply essential application configurations, eliminating the need for users to manually configure each device after installation.

Once the configuration file is placed in the required directory, NordLayer automatically applies these predefined settings and deletes the file. This streamlines administrative workflows, particularly when deploying NordLayer via management tools such as Microsoft Intune, Jamf, Apple Business Manager, or other endpoint management solutions.

SettingsConfig.ini is used for Windows
SettingsConfig.plist is used for macOS

How to preset application settings using the configuration file on Windows

Step 1: Create the settings configuration file

Create a plain-text file named SettingsConfig.ini containing your required configurations. Below is an example of SettingsConfig.ini file with descriptions of available configuration options:

AutoConnectOnLaunch=false ; true/false
SelectedGateway="NearestGateway" ; Use NearestGateway to automatically connect, or specify exact gateway name between ""
AutoLaunchOnStartup=true ; true/false (starts app automatically when Windows boots)
AutoConnectOnUntrustedWiFi=true ; true/false
AppendTrustedNetworks=Network2,Network3 ; Specify additional Wi-Fi network SSIDs separated by commas to append to the trusted list
RemoveTrustedNetworks=Network1,Network3 ; Specify Wi-Fi network SSIDs separated by commas to remove from the trusted list
VPNProtocol=Automatic ; Options: Automatic/NordLynx/OpenVPN_TCP/OpenVPN_UDP
KillSwitch=true ; true/false
WebProtection=true ; true/false
StatusNotifications=true ; true/false

Step 2: Place the configuration file in the application directory

After creating and saving the SettingsConfig.ini file with your desired options, place it into the NordLayer application's execution directory. By default, this is typically located at:

C:\Program Files\NordLayer\

If deploying through management software, place SettingsConfig.ini in the installation directory after the installation is complete.

Confirming the configuration file operates correctly

After you install NordLayer, launch the application on your Windows device. Your predefined application settings automatically apply and take effect immediately. If these settings do not apply as expected, verify the following:

The configuration file is named exactly SettingsConfig.ini, and it resides in NordLayer's installation directory.
All configuration values within the file use the correct formatting and are valid for your installed NordLayer version.
The NordLayer Windows application version is 3.5.3 or higher.

How to preset application settings using the configuration file on macOS

Step 1: Create the settings configuration file

Create a file named SettingsConfig.plist in XML format containing the required configurations. Below is an example of the file, with comments describing each available option:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<!-- Enable auto-connect on app launch: true or false -->
	<key>AutoConnectOnLaunch</key>
	<true/>

	<!-- Selected gateway: "NearestGateway" or any specific private or shared gateway name -->
	<key>SelectedGateway</key>
	<string>NearestGateway</string>
	<!-- <string>Nordlayer</string> -->

	<!-- Enable auto-launch on system startup: true or false -->
	<key>AutoLaunchOnStartup</key>
	<false/>

	<!-- Enable auto-connect on untrusted WiFi: true or false -->
	<key>AutoConnectOnUntrustedWiFi</key>
	<true/>

	<!-- SSIDs to append to trusted networks (array of strings, e.g., WiFi names) -->
	<key>AppendTrustedNetworks</key>
	<array>
		<string>SSID1</string>
		<string>SSID2</string>
		<string>SSID3</string>
	</array>

	<!-- SSIDs to remove from trusted networks (array of strings) -->
	<key>RemoveTrustedNetworks</key>
	<array>
		<string>SSID2</string>
	</array>

	<!-- VPN protocol: "Automatic", "NordLynx", "OpenVPN_UDP", "OpenVPN_TCP" -->
	<key>VPNProtocol</key>
	<string>Automatic</string>
	<!-- <string>NordLynx</string> -->
	<!-- <string>OpenVPN_UDP</string> -->
	<!-- <string>OpenVPN_TCP</string> -->

	<!-- Enable kill switch: true or false -->
	<key>KillSwitch</key>
	<false/>

	<!-- Enable web protection: true or false -->
	<key>WebProtection</key>
	<true/>

	<!-- Enable status notifications: true or false -->
	<key>StatusNotifications</key>
	<true/>

	<!-- Enable LAN central access: true or false -->
	<key>LanCentralAccess</key>
	<true/>
</dict>
</plist>

Step 2: Place the configuration file in the application directory

After creating and saving the SettingsConfig.plist with the selected options, place the file into the NordLayer application's support directory.

For both the App Store and sideload versions on macOS, the directory is located at:

~/Library/Containers/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/Data/Library/Application Support/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/

If you’re deploying NordLayer through management software (e.g., Jamf or Apple Business Manager), ensure SettingsConfig.plist is placed in this directory after installation is complete. NordLayer will automatically read, apply, and remove the configuration file during launch or every 5 minutes while the app is running.

Confirming the configuration file operation

After installing NordLayer, launch the NordLayer application on your macOS device. Your predefined settings should automatically apply and take effect immediately.

If the settings do not apply as expected, verify the following:

The configuration file is named exactly SettingsConfig.plist and is located in ~/Library/Containers/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/Data/Library/Application Support/com.nordvpn.macos.teams/
All configuration values in the file use valid XML formatting and are applicable for your installed NordLayer version.
Your NordLayer application version is 3.8.0 or higher.

Additional notes

After applying the predefined settings, the NordLayer application will delete the file. You can see which settings were applied in the app logs for Windows and macOS.
Users can still manually change settings within the NordLayer application after the preset was applied.
The settings will be applied every time the file is placed in the directory (you can do this multiple times for the same installation). This file will override any user-defined settings.
Settings managed centrally through the Control Panel will always override those defined in an app's SettingsConfig.ini and SettingsConfig.plist files.

Note: In case you have any questions or are experiencing any issues, please feel free to contact our 24/7 customer support team.