Hi all, I have a Cisco VPN i need to connect to. I am wondering, is there any way to connect to this VPN with the VPN-ware built in to Windows 7? I really want to avoid having to install the crappy Cisco VPN client if i can! What would be SOOOOOO nice would be the ability somewhere in the VPN setup UI, to be able to import a PCF file from the Cisco VPN, and have it automatically configure everything properly. But i would like to know how to configure it properly manually too. Is it possible?Thanks in advance.

For discussion on Cisco VPN Client & Windows 7, see http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproappcompat/thread/d880dfe5-7f44-4955-8620-2a9355d8ea8b/VPN access is a hurdle I've yet to attempt, but it appears some have had luck with the later versions of the client.

Well, what i am interested in specifically is NOT using the Cisco client. I mean, when you look at the settings for a VPN connection as set up in Windows 7, it has options for Cisco security settings, so i am really hoping to be able to get rid of using the stupid Cisco-ware.

You can set up a PPTP VPN connection to Cisco VPN router, but I am afraid for an IPSec connection you still need to use the Cisco VPN client, even though there are new options available in the Windows VPN client.

Argh - that's so frustrating. :( I know Windows has had the built-in VPNing since what, at least XP, right? Maybe earlier? But out of like a half-dozen clients, I don't think i've EVER met a VPN that Windows can actually connect to... So... what's the point of having it in there?? *sigh* ... So frustrating. :-\

The limitations are imposed by Cisco, it is not really a Windows issue. Unfortunately many of the IPSec clients are proprietary.

One year ago Apple launched Mac OS X 10.6. With the built in VPN options (no 3rd party programs) I was able to connect to my company's VPN. Has anything appeared in the meantime for Microsoft & Windows 7? I haven't come across any news regarding this matter yet.