I have a Windows Surface RT running Windows 8.1.  I have read a lot of forums talking about why AnyConnect will not work with Windows RT right now.  This is getting old and this problem needs to be fixed.  I don't know much about it but all I know is my Networking people won't help me get VPN access outside of AnyConnect for security reasons of their own.  Meaning, I need this to work.  Cisco and Microsoft are both pointing the finger right now but somebody needs to get off their a** and fix it.  I NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE CISCO ANYCONNECT ON MY SURFACE OTHERWISE ITS WORTHLESS TO ME.  So provide the APIs or whatever Cisco needs to develop an app get it done.  If I worked like this at my job I wouldn't have one.  Can we expect this issue to get resolved soon?

Hi,

The firstly,I would like to share the article below:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj900206.aspx

"Windows RT devices come with an in-box VPN client implementation that is fully compatible with Microsoft Routing and Remote Access Server (RRAS) and supports both IPSec and SSL-based VPN access. The supported VPN protocols include PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2 and SSTP."

Meanwhile,please check if the  Cisco AnyConnect  client is compatibility with windos 8.1.

I suggest you contact Cisco for help.

Regards,

• Marked as answer by kelvin_hsuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Monday, November 25, 2013 7:13 AM

Any of us struggling with Matt's problem have all come across the in-box VPN protocol language you cite, but the bottom line is many of us need Cisco AnyConnect to VPN into our enterprise.  I love my surface RT, but can only give it an 8 out of 10, due exclusively to this issue.  These things would fly off the shelves with a fix.

Of course, your enterprise also needs to support Windows 8 VPN access which ours does not yet, so RT or Pro are both non-functional in this regard.  That's an enterprise issue for us.

I must agree with @Matt_SCS on this one. The back and forth between Cisco and Microsoft on this issue is absolutely senseless. I feel the issue lies more with Cisco than Microsoft due to the fact that we don't see ONE Cisco app in the Microsoft Store. We don't see WebEx Connect or any other client tied to their existing services. They don't care about their customers, and will tell you to purchase an Android or iPad - not realizing the functionality gained by using a Surface.

With that said, I believe Microsoft needs to get this solved. They have loyal customers that have bought into the RT platform, and with rumors swirling about it's eminent demise, an AnyConnect client would take the platform to a new level from an enterprise standpoint. The tools accessible in RT via the administrative and system functionality built into the OS give tech professionals power that can't be offered by iOS or Android. I have a Surface 2, and I really love it, but I am leaning toward returning it because my enterprise only supports AnyConnect as well. I enjoy my device from a personal standpoint, but the ability to connect from anywhere would take this device to the next level.

The only thing that would also be on my wish list would be an RT version of Visual Studio Express.

Let's go Microsoft! Get with Cisco and at least get the VPN client done!

The OP is right. The built-in VPN client IS NOT COMPATIBLE with AnyConnect. My organization only supports the AnyConnect protocol, so my RT is a mostly useless toy, not the business device I was hoping for. Microsoft, PLEASE work with Cisco to find a solution. How hard can it be?

I cannot believe we still don't have AnyConnect for Windows 8.1 RT. Come on guys a lot of us MUST use AnyConnect we have no other option to connect to our enterprise network!!!

Anyconnect and WebEx are available for iPad...

"Meanwhile,please check if the  Cisco AnyConnect  client is compatibility with windos 8.1."

"I suggest you contact Cisco for help." 

Not sure how this can be marked as answered.

Cisco suggests we contact Microsoft. 

Anyconnect release notes:

AnyConnect is not supported on Windows RT. There are no APIs provided in the operating system to provide this functionality. Cisco has an open request with Microsoft on this topic. Customers who want this functionality should contact Microsoft to express their interest.

As HvR_za shared in the Anyconnect release note it looks like the ball is in you court on this issue Microsoft!

I need the Cisco on my RT as well for work.

"Meanwhile,please check if the  Cisco AnyConnect  client is compatibility with windos 8.1."

"I suggest you contact Cisco for help." 

Not sure how this can be marked as answered.

Cisco suggests we contact Microsoft. 

Anyconnect release notes:

AnyConnect is not supported on Windows RT. There are no APIs provided in the operating system to provide this functionality. Cisco has an open request with Microsoft on this topic. Customers who want this functionality should contact Microsoft to express their interest.

I've run across many threads like this on the regular community forum, and the above statement from Cisco is what I've suspected all along... it's Microsoft's fault, not Cisco's. This whole situation could have been resolved a long time ago, but Microsoft's continued insistence on restricting third-party developer access to any API other WinRT in Windows RT has prevented it and is beyond frustrating... the APIs are already all present in the OS, just restricted to use by Microsoft only.

If Microsoft had released Windows 8 ARM Edition instead of the artificially limited Windows RT we got instead we would have had a VPN client long ago, and a much better OS to boot.

Where does one have to post about this to get Microsoft to actually listen??

I kind of wish Cisco would release an AnyConnect VPN client for use on the "jailbroken" RT devices just to prove their point, but I'm sure Microsoft would be pretty mad if they did that.

Windows RT clearly states that you can only use apps that are available from the windows store. I.E. you can not go to cisco's website and download clients and expect them to work. I think the best immediate solution would be to return your surface rt and buy a surface pro that will fill your needs instead of buying the cheaper version of the os and complaining that it doesn't do stuff that it very clearly states it wasn't going to do when you purchased it. 

Windows RT clearly states that you can only use apps that are available from the windows store. I.E. you can not go to cisco's website and download clients and expect them to work. I think the best immediate solution would be to return your surface rt and buy a surface pro that will fill your needs instead of buying the cheaper version of the os and complaining that it doesn't do stuff that it very clearly states it wasn't going to do when you purchased it. 

Of course I know what it's "supposed" to be able to do, but you're missing the point. And no offense to you personally, but that's exactly the kind of response and attitude that is causing Windows RT to end up as a dying platform. It doesn't matter what Microsoft's narrow intent for this platform is or was, what matters is what customers want to do with it. For example, things I know customers have asked for (just off the top of my head):

• VPN
• Java
• Third-party browsers
  
• Ability to run third other party desktop apps
  
• Ability to join AD
• USB Ethernet capability
• Outlook

From the very beginning Microsoft's answer to each of these has either been silence, or "buy a Pro". Sorry, but that is not a good customer service response. 

I understand AD is more of a Windows Pro feature, and since RT is more like Windows home, that is the only one on my short list above that I understand not being available.

To Microsoft's credit they actually listened on the last two items, and RT 8.1 came with Outlook and USB Ethernet drivers. But it took a whole year.

For the rest of the items (and to use VPN as the example) all they had to do was "Ok, here is a way for power users to change the executable signing requirement. Cisco, just provide these users with a version of your VPN client recompiled for ARM". SOLVED.

This is not a technical issue. It is a political issue.

• Edited by domboy Thursday, March 27, 2014 2:03 PM

I just recently bought my Surface, and I am just finding out that I can not use it to connect to my work intranet. Very disappointed, since that is the main reason I bought it. I admit that I am not too computer savvy, but when I do research on the tablet, and I think I am getting something to fulfill my needs and it doesn't, it makes me look elsewhere. I should have just bought an iPad. Thanks a lot, Microsoft.

Hello Jack,

You wrote this post about 8 months ago. Wanted to find if there has been any updates to a potential solution for the RT-Cisco-MS issue.

I am not giving up hope. I love the Surface 2, I've had it since Christmas, and I am looking forward to being able to use my Surface 2 for work one day soon.

This will never be resolved. RT is just about dead.

MS caused the poor sales for releasing a device and not working to get a much needed application like anyconnect out.

A pro is a crappier version of a laptop, smaller screen, crappier keyboard also has a fan for a bit better bat life than an air. (yes you can clearly hear the fan)

BTW to the person saying you can only run what is in the store, apple app store has anyconnect why should it be any different for MS app store?

If anyconnect was available I would had my hands on the nokia as soon as it shipped.

I dont want a pro 3 since i already have a laptop, touch screen, compact ,good bat life and the keyboard is also better with the ability to use it on my lap. I don't want a tablet where I have to load AV software.

• Edited by HvR_za Monday, July 14, 2014 3:53 PM

Your a fool for answering this post with the in box VPN solution. I'm an IT pro and the in box solution is almost useless. Release the APIs to Cisco for rt and windows phone.

This is just half-assed same usual attitude from Microsoft. Why do you thin they have lost so much of consumer mindshare and with it marketshare ?

Even on Surface Pro, there was the initial issue of Citric Receiver not working for many Citrix users to be able to  effective use the surface .

Now on Windows RT CISCO AnyConnect client is not available . This is plain irksome particularly when Microsoft spout so much about productivity and platforms these days. 

No wonder the iPAD is still a more productive tool - even if it lacks a lot of the MS stuff- just because they have support for many enterprise functions which are absolutely needed. 

Now my Nokia RT Tablet (2520) is just a personal device which I cant use to do any productive work - as usual. Its a damn shame.

This did not answer the question, how did this get selected as an answered question?