Solved Shrew VPN client on 8.1

BSeanD

New Member
Messages
5
Hi Everyone,

We use Shrew VPN on our remote clients which works perfectly with win7 and win8. One of our staff updated to win8.1 and is now unable to even start the program. This is what I have done.

Taken the laptop home and hooked it up to my wifi. (Result; program does not start)
Started the program first then connected to wifi. (Program still did not connect)
Connected to my phone as a hotspot, same results.

Rolled OS back to the 16 Feb 2014 and then hotspotted to my phone. Shrew login started but "network unavailable" was the error I received.

Not sure if the roleback helped me get this far but I'll do further checking tonight.
I also tried compatibility mode after the rollback and got the "network unavailable" error while hotspotted to my phone.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sean

PS Moderators I have put this in the wrong forum, sorry. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Seven
Hi BSeanD,

Firstly are you using the latest client 2.2.2?

Some people have seemed to off fixed there problems by uninstalling the client. Then reinstall with admin privileges.

Also take a look at this: Pro-tip: Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client and Windows 8 Consumer Preview | Tom On Tech
and Cisco VPN Client and Windows 8.0/8.1 - Spiceworks

post from that:
1. Go to Control panel -> Uninstall or change a program
2. Select Cisco Systems VPN client from the list and then click REPAIR
3. Use regedit to go to...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CVirta
Change "DisplayName" to the correct value which is...
Cisco Systems VPN Adapter for 64-bit Windows
4. Launch the VPN Client and try again to connect
Works at least for me.


Cheers,
Harry
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 R2 / 8.1
I couldn't get Cisco VPN to work on 8.1 (it isn't supported anyway). I didn't try Shrew although as Harry says 2.2.2 should work

All VPN clients seem broken in 8.1

Can you use TeamViewer or Webex instead? I use both (depending on the security policy of who I'm connecting to - some people don't permit Teamviewer - most allow Webex) and they are far easier to setup and use.

When I have to use Cisco VPN I use a virtual machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
Hi BSeanD,

Firstly are you using the latest client 2.2.2?

Some people have seemed to off fixed there problems by uninstalling the client. Then reinstall with admin privileges.

Also take a look at this: Pro-tip: Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client and Windows 8 Consumer Preview | Tom On Tech
and Cisco VPN Client and Windows 8.0/8.1 - Spiceworks

post from that:
1. Go to Control panel -> Uninstall or change a program
2. Select Cisco Systems VPN client from the list and then click REPAIR
3. Use regedit to go to...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CVirta
Change "DisplayName" to the correct value which is...
Cisco Systems VPN Adapter for 64-bit Windows
4. Launch the VPN Client and try again to connect
Works at least for me.


Cheers,
Harry

Hi Harry,

I am using the 2.2.2 version of Shrew and I believe I have installed it with administrator privileges. Currenlty I am uninstalling it, using Program and features, as well as removing instance of it in the registry. Once I've re-installed I'll post my results.

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Seven
I couldn't get Cisco VPN to work on 8.1 (it isn't supported anyway). I didn't try Shrew although as Harry says 2.2.2 should work

All VPN clients seem broken in 8.1

Can you use TeamViewer or Webex instead? I use both (depending on the security policy of who I'm connecting to - some people don't permit Teamviewer - most allow Webex) and they are far easier to setup and use.

When I have to use Cisco VPN I use a virtual machine.

Hi Adamf,

Teamviewer wont help in this situation. The person uses their laptop during the day as their main machine and requires a connection back to the office when working from home in the evening and weekends using the same machine.

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Seven
Hi Sean,

brilliant give the options I wrote a go if they do not work, we will go back to the drawing board :)

cheers,
Harry
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 R2 / 8.1
Hi Sean, I see you have put it to solved what where your steps in the end?

glad we could help :)

cheers,
Harry :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 R2 / 8.1
Good news everyone, I've got Shrew VPN 2.2.2 working!
I did a fair bit of tinkering and here's what I did.

First off I uninstalled Shrew and went through the registry and manually cleaned out any folders/instances of Shrew.
I could possibly have stopped there and tried to re-install as administrator but I tried another avenue.
I took the laptop off the Domain and logged in as the local administrator. There I re-installed Shrew. Once this was done I started it and was able to successfully connect to the VPN via my phones WiFi hotspot.
I then edited the host file with the IP addresses of the various servers she requires.

Once this was done I put the laptop back onto the domain, logged in as the user and connected to the Shrew VPN via WiFi hotspot.

I can now, through a WiFi hotspot, access all drives and in-house programs just fine.

Thanks for your help guys.

Regards,

Sean :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Seven
Great job Sean and thank you for posting back :) hopefully this helps a few more people with similar troubles!

cheers Harry
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 R2 / 8.1
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