# Connecting a Windows client ## Goal This documentation has the goal of showing how a user can use the official Windows [Tailscale](https://tailscale.com) client with `headscale`. ## Add registry keys To make the Windows client behave as expected and to run well with `headscale`, two registry keys **must** be set: - `HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Tailscale IPN\UnattendedMode` must be set to `always` to allow Tailscale to run properly in the background - `HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Tailscale IPN\LoginURL` must be set to `` to ensure Tailscale contacts the correct control server. The Tailscale Windows client has been observed to reset its configuration on logout/reboot and these two keys [resolves that issue](https://github.com/tailscale/tailscale/issues/2798). For a guide on how to edit registry keys, [check out Computer Hope](https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001348.htm). ## Installation Download the [Official Windows Client](https://tailscale.com/download/windows) and install it. When the installation has finished, start Tailscale and log in (you might have to click the icon in the system tray). The log in should open a browser Window and direct you to your `headscale` instance. ## Troubleshooting If you are seeing repeated messages like: ``` [GIN] 2022/02/10 - 16:39:34 | 200 | 1.105306ms | 127.0.0.1 | POST "/machine/redacted" ``` in your `headscale` output, turn on `DEBUG` logging and look for: ``` 2022-02-11T00:59:29Z DBG Machine registration has expired. Sending a authurl to register machine=redacted ``` This typically means that the register keys above was not set appropriatly. Ensure they are set correctly, delete Tailscale APP_DATA folder and try to connect again.