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Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• Troubleshooting tips for VDI deployments

  VDI deployments have hiccups at one point or another. While good planning is your best bet for avoiding issues, some troubleshooting tips never hurt. Continue Reading

• The right way to do old-PC-to-thin-client conversions

  Turning old PCs to thin clients can help keep the Capex associated with VDI down, but a bad conversion can spell support troubles for IT. Continue Reading

• Breaking down VMware GPU virtualization options: Soft 3D, vSGA and vDGA

  VMware GPU virtualization options Soft 3D, vSGA and vDGA have different uses and benefits, but they all help companies reap performance rewards. Continue Reading

• If VDI adoption stalls at 20 percent, you'll still need to deliver Windows applications

  Experts agree VDI adoption may never make it above the 20 percent mark, but you'll still have to deliver Windows applications to the other 80 percent of desktops. Continue Reading

• A tale of two hardware acceleration methods: Protocol vs. GPU offload

  There are two ways hardware acceleration can improve virtual desktop performance: offloading GPU processing or offloading the remote display protocol. Continue Reading

• Top options for buying thin client hardware

  There are a lot of options out there for thin client hardware, so get to know a few popular choices that might suit your VDI environment.Continue Reading

• Why remote connectivity problems happen and how to fix them

  Remote connectivity problems such as latency and bouncing have easy fixes that just take careful planning when you're setting up your VDI deployment.Continue Reading

• How a VDI migration changed my life

  A VDI migration doesn't just change the way you access applications; it affects simple things like printing and how often you work.Continue Reading

• How to install and configure Citrix XenDesktop's GRID vGPU feature

  Nvidia's GRID vGPU technology is now supported in XenDesktop, so take a minute to learn how this feature works and some tips for configuring it.Continue Reading

• Three considerations for malware protection in VDI environments

  VDI environments aren't immune to malware, especially because the user profiles can lead directly to a breach.Continue Reading

• Getting a grip on your application packaging and delivery strategy

  Before you deploy VDI, you need to take stock of your applications, how often they're used, and how users access them. Plus, make a long-term plan.Continue Reading

• Desktop as a Service cost and scalability are its chief advantages

  The predictable subscription-based costs and ability to scale cloud-hosted desktops are key benefits of DaaS.Continue Reading

• Patch management strategies for dedicated vs. shared virtual desktops

  You need to rethink your patch management strategies when VDI comes into the picture, especially if you're deploying shared desktops.Continue Reading

• Best practices guide: Making VDI deployment magic

  Implementing VDI isn't always a cakewalk. Learn how to make a production VDI deployment go smoothly.Continue Reading

• Preparing for an IT audit in your VDI environment

  When preparing for an audit in your VDI environment, the best defense is a strong offense. Find out what you need to archive and who's auditing.Continue Reading

• What virtualized GPU technology is doing for VDI

  Virtualized GPU technology brings VDI to more users than ever before, which could spur desktop virtualization adoption.Continue Reading

• From VDI pilot to production: Four tips for the move

  Don't leave users out of the equation when you move from your VDI pilot project to the production environment.Continue Reading

• Making thin client performance priority No. 1

  Thin client performance is the key to a successful endpoint because it's the issue that most affects your end users.Continue Reading

• Three important VDI application deployment considerations

  Consider app compatibility and the frequency of updates when you choose VDI application deployment methods. Oh, and don't forget cost.Continue Reading

• Cost-effective solid-state storage devices jumpstart VDI

  More solid-state storage offerings came out of the woodwork this year, lending a hand to common VDI performance problems.Continue Reading

• How to load balance a Citrix or VMware VDI implementation

  Whether your VDI implementation is based on Citrix or VMware, certain load-balancing techniques will keep performance on target.Continue Reading

• Why you have until 2020 to figure out your desktop delivery strategy

  Don't buy the hype. You have until 2020 to figure out your application and desktop delivery strategy.Continue Reading

• Opportunities for automating tasks in a virtual desktop environment

  There are plenty of ways to automate your virtual desktop environment -- you just need to know what scripts and tools are available.Continue Reading

• How to enable native Windows Server data deduplication for VDI

  Windows Server 2012 R2 offers native data deduplication for virtual desktops, but there are a few requirements for enabling this feature.Continue Reading

• How to handle peripherals support on virtual desktops

  Peripherals support can be especially tricky on virtual desktops because you often need redirection technology to make the devices work.Continue Reading

• A sampler of VDI-friendly Windows PowerShell scripts

  You can automate desktop provisioning, monitoring and more in a VDI environment, so check out these handy Windows PowerShell scripts for VDI admins.Continue Reading

• Where virtual desktops need certificate management

  Virtual desktops don't always trust certain security certificates, especially when applications are accessed through the Web.Continue Reading

• What tasks are fair game for VDI automation?

  If you want more free time to play video games and ponder the meaning of life, check into VDI automation tools that reduce management tasks.Continue Reading

• Brian Madden on Desktop Virtualization User Trends in 2013

  Brian Madden's analysis of a desktop virtualization survey.Continue Reading

• Five drawbacks to running Android as a desktop OS

  If you're an Android lover, you can run it as a desktop OS inside a VM -- just remember it won't run like Windows.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of using VDI for BYOD management

  Virtual desktop infrastructure eases the stress of managing employee-owned devices in the enterprise, but beware connectivity and compatibility snags.Continue Reading

• Running Windows Server on desktop hardware: Why do it?

  Ever think about running Windows Server on a regular old computer? Consider these hang-ups before you go installing it on desktop hardware.Continue Reading

• Managing VirtualBox desktops through a Web interface

  Accessing VirtualBox through a Web interface is easier than using a remote client to connect through another machine.Continue Reading

• Taking advantage of VM snapshots in a virtual desktop environment

  With VM snapshots, you can make one desktop VM into many. Just watch out for performance when snapshotting in a virtual desktop environment.Continue Reading

• Planning and managing virtual desktop pools

  Virtual desktop pools make management easier, but you have to plan for them and remember that the way you create pools depends on your VDI platform.Continue Reading

• Citrix kills its Application Streaming feature, directs users to App-V

  Citrix has officially ceased development and support for its Application Streaming feature, and has directed IT pros to use Microsoft App-V instead.Continue Reading

• Using passthrough disks for desktop VM storage? Keep 5 tips in mind

  Connecting desktop VMs to passthrough disks can enhance performance, but it does add complexity. Watch out for these five hang-ups.Continue Reading

• Understanding Windows Group Policy management for virtual desktops

  Windows Group Policy management can help you keep virtual desktops and their profiles consistent. Just watch out for disk consumption.Continue Reading

• Tips for VDI user profile management

  Unique user profiles are key to a successful VDI environment, so you need user profile management techniques to create, store and secure profiles.Continue Reading

• VDI deployment complexity and storage requirements hinder adoption

  The difficulty of deploying VDI, plus the fact that it doesn't always save money, means that another technology could eclipse VDI before it gets big.Continue Reading

• Best practices for allocating resources to virtual desktops

  It's important to do a good job allocating resources to virtual desktops. Make sure you understand your VM system and allocate based on your users.Continue Reading

• Five things to consider before you deploy VDI

  VDI isn't a cure-all for your remote computing woes. It can be costly and complex to deploy if you don't know what you're getting into.Continue Reading

• Creating and managing Windows virtual desktop pools

  Take the dive into Windows virtual desktop pools. They make it easier to provision desktops, manage OS images and control application installation.Continue Reading

• user environment virtualization (UE virtualization)

  User environment virtualization is the abstraction of personalized computer settings from their operating system and applications.Continue Reading

• How VDI user profiles personalize desktop VMs

  A virtual desktop user profile doesn't include personalized settings, but there are ways to make sure a user's favorites don't get lost in the fray.Continue Reading

• User profile backup methods for virtual desktops

  First you need to decide whether it's worth backing up user data. If you decide yes, check out these user profile backup techniques.Continue Reading

• Four virtual disk formats every VDI admin needs to know

  VDI admins need to understand the underlying disk image files that store data in their environments. Learn about the four most common formats.Continue Reading

• User environment virtualization leaves roaming profiles in the dust

  As users connect to more devices than ever, user environment virtualization is a blossoming trend in the desktop virtualization market.Continue Reading

• User profile management tools: 16 options to consider

  There are tons of user profile management tools out there. Check out these options to learn what they offer -- and which ones are free.Continue Reading

• Users are unique, and their VDI user profiles should be too

  You're a unique individual, so shouldn't your VDI user profile be special too? Learn how IT can provide user personalization for virtual desktops.Continue Reading

• Using hardware emulation tools to run embedded OSes

  Hardware emulation is surprisingly similar to desktop virtualization. Test your virtualization skills by using emulation to run embedded OSes.Continue Reading

• How to emulate the Windows 8 touch interface on a virtual desktop

  You can use a virtual desktop to test the new OS, but it's tricky to mimic the Windows 8 touch interface.Continue Reading

• Top eight new features in Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.2

  Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.2 comes with a lot of new features for desktop and server admins. With increased graphics support, it's ideal for testing Windows 8.Continue Reading

• Alternative application virtualization tools to VMware ThinApp

  Take a bite out of these application virtualization tools and see what strikes your fancy.Continue Reading

• VDI network best practices: Ensuring resilience and redundancy

  Network traffic takes a hard hit when you implement VDI. Make sure your network is reliable enough for virtual desktop connections.Continue Reading

• Getting to know XenDesktop Remote PC: Too simple or just enough?

  The XenDesktop Remote PC feature allows users to connect to both physical and virtual desktops, but it lacks some features you'll wish it had.Continue Reading

• How to perform a virtual desktop migration between Type 1 hypervisors

  There are numerous tools available for virtual desktop migration from one platform to another, but not all of them support all the popular disk formats.Continue Reading

• Using Portable-VirtualBox to run any OS from a USB device

  Portable-VirtualBox allows you to run OSes from a USB drive, which helps you test them for use in server and desktop virtualization environments.Continue Reading

• How to run VirtualBox VMs as headless servers

  Launching a GUI can create overhead and unnecessary clutter, so if you don't need to interact with the interface, you can run VirtualBox VMs in headless mode.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Using Windows PowerShell commands to manage virtual desktops

  Windows PowerShell commands aren't just for traditional desktops. Learn how to use PowerCLI, XenApp cmdlets and more to make VDI management a snap.Continue Reading

• VDI backup strategies: Copying, storing and securing virtual desktops

  If you’re not backing up your virtual desktops, here are a few VDI backup strategies that might make you re-think that decision.Continue Reading

• VirtualBox VM recovery: Two ways to salvage your data

  If you have to recover a VirtualBox VM, you're in for a grand old time. Keep these tricks in mind to help get your data back.Continue Reading

• VDI benchmark testing: How to boost the virtual desktop user experience

  You wouldn't buy a cell phone without playing with it in the store first, right? The same goes for VDI. To get the best user experience, you need to test virtual desktops before you deploy.Continue Reading

• Q&A: Former Citrix CTO Simon Crosby reveals micro-virtualization plans

  Former Citrix CTO Simon Crosby hasn't provided much detail about what he's been up to at Bromium -- until now. In this Q&A, Crosby discusses how micro-virtualization could change the industry.Continue Reading

• Using desktop virtualization for BYOD security and management

  Managing mobile devices is a major headache for IT departments, but desktop virtualization is here to help. Before you pop an aspirin, learn how VDI can improve BYOD security.Continue Reading

• How to set up VirtualBox remote display for VM access anywhere

  IT admins searching for an easy way to remotely access VMs can use Oracle VM VirtualBox remote display. Still, setting up remote access doesn't come without its headaches.Continue Reading

• Using VDI as a software test environment

  VDI isn't just for desktop delivery. Virtual desktops can also serve as a software test environment, where you can do OS and app testing quickly and easily.Continue Reading

• Open source desktop virtualization software options: VirtualBox and more

  Oracle VM VirtualBox sits on the open source desktop virtualization throne, but there are other open source VDI products available that may soon catch up to VirtualBox.Continue Reading

• Defining VDI users: Who should really be using virtual desktops?

  To figure out whether your company really needs VDI, break down who your potential VDI users are and what exactly they need.Continue Reading

• Top 10 desktop virtualization news and tips of 2011

  Desktop virtualization grew up in 2011 and SearchVirtualDesktop.com was there to capture all the moments. Here's a countdown of the year's top 10 news stories and tips.Continue Reading

• user installed application (UIA)

  User installed applications (UIA) are programs that are installed on a computer by an end user, instead of by a corporate IT department.Continue Reading

• Tips for running PowerShell against remote Windows 7 desktops

  Setting up PowerShell to manage remote Windows 7 desktops can be tricky. These tips help you properly configure PowerShell and use it for remote desktop troubleshooting.Continue Reading

• Five helpful commands for managing Remote Desktop Services

  In Windows Server 8, server management will be command-line oriented. Prepare for the shift by learning some commands for managing Remote Desktop Services.Continue Reading

• VMware delivers View 5 with persona management, PCoIP boost

  VMware View 5 is available this week with profile management, more client device support and better PCoIP WAN performance.Continue Reading

• Using Group Policy settings to manage Office on virtual desktops

  Application management can be tricky in VDI environments, but Group Policy settings give IT a flexible way to manage apps, such as Microsoft Office, on virtual desktops. Here’s how.Continue Reading

• Single sign-on enhances VDI user experience

  Single sign-on capabilities probably seem unimportant to desktop admins, but SSO can make end users' remote desktop experience much better. Here are some SSO strategies.Continue Reading

• Creating a simple VDI backup plan

  Knowing what to back up in a VDI environment can save time and ensure that your virtual desktops are always running. Here are some tips on what to back up.Continue Reading

• Managing VMware View 4.5 virtual desktops with PowerCLI

  VMware View 4.5 supports PowerShell-based extensions, PowerCLI, to manage virtual desktop environments. Here are some useful cmdlets for creating virtual desktop pools.Continue Reading

• Microsoft's RDS and RemoteFX disappoint VMware user

  Microsoft's Remote Desktop Service and RemoteFX protocol are intended for specific desktop virtualization use cases, but are they enough for your organization?Continue Reading

• Improve virtual desktop performance by tweaking the golden image

  Performance far outweighs look and feel for most end users. Here’s how to improve VDI performance by modifying the golden image.Continue Reading

• How to make user profiles delete themselves in any VDI environment

  Do you need to keep Windows profiles but delete virtual desktops from shared machines? Nonpersistent desktops and these Active Directory tricks can help.Continue Reading

• The first hurdle of deploying a VDI environment: The user persona

  Ensure the quality of the user experience by properly managing the user persona. These five techniques can help with virtual desktop infrastructure deployment.Continue Reading

• Selecting the right conversion tool for your P2V migration

  These tools can help you move your physical desktops or servers to virtual machines. See how to select the right one for your environment.Continue Reading

• Selecting a VDI performance measurement and management tool

  Getting the best performance from your VDI requires thorough measurement, testing and validation. The proper tool can help you get started.Continue Reading

• How to store user data in Terminal Services

  If your organization's session host can't store user data from a Terminal Services environment, a file server for Remote Desktop Services is an alternate option.Continue Reading

• The basics of Remote Desktop Services: Management

  Unless you're deploying only a few VMs, it's nearly impossible to manage all the components and services of RDS. A management solution like Microsoft System Center is a must.Continue Reading

• How to publish automated virtual desktop pools with VMware View

  Looking for a way to set up a persistent or non-persistent virtual desktop pool step by step? Look no further, this tutorial has you covered.Continue Reading

• Capacity planning for Windows Terminal Services

  Capacity planning for the latest version of Terminal Services can be confusing, but the trick is to plan based on how TS will be used.Continue Reading

• Manage Remote Desktop Services with Windows PowerShell

  Learn how Remote Desktop Services can be managed with PowerShell in Windows Server 2008 R2.Continue Reading

• Planning a Terminal Services Gateway

  Terminal Services Gateway is a secure way to access Microsoft Terminal Services remotely but it requires knowing how to work with SSL certificates.Continue Reading

• Managing Terminal Services via Group Policy

  Configuring and hardening Windows Server Terminal Services through Group Policy settings improves the server's security and overall performance.Continue Reading

• Understanding application virtualization as a software hosting strategy

  Application virtualization is a software hosting strategy that can increase system protection and eliminate incompatibilities with configuration data by using APIs to emulate middleware and OS interfaces.Continue Reading

• Developing a proof of concept plan for virtual desktops

  Refer to these checklists as part of a proof of concept plan when deploying virtual desktops to ensure that your final objectives are organized and clear.Continue Reading

• AppSense Environment Manager 8.0

  Apply personalization and policy features to standardized virtual desktop environments automatically with the AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 add-on tool.Continue Reading

• Prepare and protect user profiles before virtualizing your desktop

  User profiles are one of the most important aspects of a desktop. Before you can virtualize, though, you need to take some steps to protect those profiles. Learn how in this tip.Continue Reading

• Checklist: Key factors in planning a virtual desktop infrastructure

  Before you dive into desktop virtualization, you'll need to understand what you can do with this technology, and what your limits may be Learn more in this tip by Anne Skamarock.Continue Reading

• The problem with traditional application management practices

  App virtualization can be a real benefit to admins, especially when you consider the difficulties that come from more traditional methods of app management.Continue Reading

• Application lifecycle management made simple with app virtualization

  If application virtualization isn't already on your radar, it probably should be. Danielle and Nelson Ruest break down the basic components of app virtualization and explain how it can be used to simplify application lifecycle management.Continue Reading