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Hide Desktops to Create an Application-Only Store in Citrix StoreFront

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[fa icon="pencil'] Posted by Lewan Solutions [fa icon="calendar"] April 14, 2016

In a perfect world—in any Citrix XenDesktop deployment—all of the applications install, license and run perfectly on a non-persistent desktop. Unfortunately, the world is not perfect and there are applications out there that, for whatever reason, will not work properly on a non-persistent desktop.

The solution included in the Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop suite is to publish those “bad applications” on a XenApp server and deliver it to the virtual desktop through Citrix Receiver. Yes, this solution works, but it can also confuse the user and cause them to try launching another session of the virtual desktop.

The challenge is that if we publish applications to the same StoreFront URL and configure the virtual desktop to use it, the virtual desktop then shows up in Citrix Receiver as well—hence the confusion.

citrix-default-storefront.jpg Default Store, potentially messy and confusing for the end user.

So I suggest this alternative solution: create a published application-only store in StoreFront, configuring StoreFront for Single Sign-On, and pre-populating the URL for the users in Receiver when they are on a virtual desktop.

This store can be hidden, does not need remote access, points to the same delivery controllers, and as I prefer, also has user subscriptions disabled. No one besides the administrators will know the URL and we can populate that for Citrix Receiver through Citrix Studio.

application-only-store-citrix-storefront.jpg Application-only Store.

Here's how to do it:

1. Hiding Desktops from the Store can be done via Powershell scripts

Set Powershell Execution to Unrestricted.

powershell-script-1.jpg

Load the Citrix Powershell Snapins on the StoreFront Server(s).

powershell-script-2.jpg

Example: $dsInstallProp = Get-ItemProperty ` -Path HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Citrix\DeliveryServicesManagement -Name InstallDir $dsInstallDir = $dsInstallProp.InstallDir & $dsInstallDir\..\Scripts\ImportModules.ps1

2. Set the Store to include applications only

powershell-script-3.jpg

3. Set XenApp/XenDesktop site to Truest XML requests from StoreFront

powershell-script-4.jpg

Example: Set-BrokerSite -TrustRequestsSentToTheXmlServicePort $True

4. Configure Store to be used by Citrix Receiver

This can be done a few different ways, in this example I do it via GPO, but you can assign it through Studio to each Delivery Group as well.

configure-citrix-store.jpg

5. Configure the StoreFront URL as a Trusted Site and to use the current username and password to login

configure-citrix-store-url.jpg

6. Test away!

Run a gpupdate /force and you should have a store that only shows published applications and does not show any desktops.

citrix-storefront-desktops-hidden-1.jpg

 


Read more:
12 Ways App & Desktop Virtualization Is Transforming IT (Infographic)
Lewan Achieves Citrix Specialist in Virtualization Designation
On-Demand Webinar: New Year, New options for Desktop Virtualization


Our team of IT Support experts can manage, maintain and optimize Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop environments, learn more about our Managed Citrix Virtual Environment Services and Contact Us for more information.

Lewan Technology is a Citrix Gold Solutions Advisor and has the largest resident Citrix consulting bench in Denver, CO and the Rocky Mountain region, comprised of certified architects, engineers and administrators. We also hold the Citrix Specialist in Virtualization distinction.

Topics: Virtualization, Citrix, Citrix XenApp, Citrix Storefront, Citrix XenDesktop, How To Guide, PowerShell

Lewan Solutions
Written by Lewan Solutions

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