Cisco AnyConnect and Windows 8 Pro Error "Failed to load preferences"
Symptom
The user receives the error: "Failed to load preferences" and is unable to access the requested Cisco resource despite successful installations of Cisco AnyConnect and the SecureAuth certificate.
Cause
The system registry includes the field "DisplayName" in [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\vpnva] which contains various, unneeded characters preceding"Cisco AnyConnect VPN Virtual Miniport Adapter for Windows x64".
Example: tfit@ik%l:Cisco AnyConnect VPN Virtual Miniport Adapter for Windows x64
Resolution
1. Open Regedit through the run command.
2. Browse to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\vpnva]
3. Modify the value of the field "DisplayName" to display only "Cisco AnyConnect VPN Virtual Miniport Adapter for Windows x64".
4. Done. The connection should work now