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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Using the iPad as a VDI client: Does it work and who needs it?

  If your users are always on the go and sick of lugging their laptops around, they may want to use the iPad as a VDI client instead. But they shouldn't expect a full PC experience. Continue Reading

• Citrix XenDesktop 5.5, 5.6 features boost virtual desktop performance

  New features in Citrix XenDesktop 5.5 and 5.6 offer a more visually appealing user experience, improved virtual desktop performance and better mobile compatibility. Continue Reading

• Desktop virtualization project pitfalls: Microsoft VDI licensing and more

  There are many reasons your desktop virtualization project could tank. Learn how to avoid the fall in part one of this series, which covers Microsoft VDI licensing and more. Continue Reading

• Citrix VM Hosted Apps: Using VDI for application hosting

  Among all the glitz and glam of VDI, people often forget it's also a means of application hosting. Citrix VM Hosted Apps is a new application delivery method worth checking out. Continue Reading

• VDI storage requirements: Do you need a new storage array?

  Implementing VDI could mean a new storage array on your part. Figure out your VDI storage requirements and learn what types of storage arrays are best for VDI. Continue Reading

• Choosing PCs to repurpose as thin clients: To reuse or not to reuse?

  Should you repurpose existing PCs or use dedicated thin clients for your VDI project? That is the question. Start by considering the benefits of reusing PCs and what it will cost.Continue Reading

• Preparing your network for VDI: What affects VDI network performance

  Implementing VDI can throw your network into a state of shock. By monitoring traffic peaks and understanding the performance impact, you can make sure the network is prepared.Continue Reading

• Microsoft RemoteFX USB redirection: Four key considerations

  With Microsoft RemoteFX USB redirection, you can have full native USB support for virtual desktops, despite some device limitations.Continue Reading

• What Windows 8 on ARM means for tablets and desktops

  Details have emerged about Windows 8 running on ARM-based tablets and PCs, but will Microsoft's Windows 8 tablet strategy succeed?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

• Application whitelisting for virtual desktops

  Citrix and other virtual desktop vendors now support User Installed Applications. IT can prevent UIA from running amuck using these strategies and application whitelisting tools.Continue Reading

• IGEL thin clients provide HP, Wyse alternative

  IGEL thin clients support nearly every major desktop virtualization product and remote desktop protocol, providing an alternative to HP and Wyse.Continue Reading

• Citrix XenApp 6.5 Mobility Pack reformats apps for Android devices

  Using corporate apps on mobile phones can be cumbersome. With the new Citrix XenApp 6.5 Mobility Pack, delivering and using apps on Android devices is simpler. Here's why.Continue Reading

• Cloud app vs. Web app -- what's the difference?

  What's the difference between a cloud app and a Web app? Gabe Knuth explains the difference between these similar terms and asks readers to share their input on the distinction.Continue Reading

• Web apps are browser-based, not browser independent

  Web apps aren't a free pass on IT management. Issues such as plug-ins, security settings and browser version requirements mean that managing Web apps can be a lot of work.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

• Replacing home PCs with virtualized thin clients

  Gabe Knuth imagines a world where ISPs deliver virtualized desktops to thin clients in homes the same way cable and telephone services are provided. It's possible, but practical?Continue Reading

• What VDI can -- and can't -- do for you

  VDI is not a silver bullet solution to replace the old PC paradigm. Here are some myths surrounding what VDI can do and the truth about better desktop virtualization alternatives.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

• Choosing the right tablets for virtual desktop infrastructure

  Planning to deliver virtual desktop tablet devices using VDI? Issues with connection brokers, bandwidth and even screen size could impact performance on these devices.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

• Evaluating remote desktop connection brokers

  In part three of our virtual desktop toolbox series, we explain remote desktop protocols and how to choose the best connection broker for your environment.Continue Reading

• Solutions to common remote desktop printing problems

  Microsoft Easy Print improved remote desktop printing in Windows Server 2008 R2, but network admins still struggle with printer redirection. Use these tips to fix common problems.Continue Reading

• Why using a bare metal client hypervisor on a Mac makes no sense

  Apple supports running Mac OS X 10.7 Lion in a client hypervisor VM on Mac hardware, but is there any value in virtualizing the Mac OS with Type-1 products such as XenClient?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

• More tools for converting PCs to thin clients

  You don't need to replace all your PCs to move to virtual desktops. Here are six non-Windows tools to help you convert old hardware to thin clients for desktop virtualization.Continue Reading

• Repurposing old PCs as thin clients with Windows-based software

  The latest PC-to-thin client conversion tools make repurposing old PCs for desktop virtualization a viable option. Part one of this two-part series covers Windows-based tools.Continue Reading

• Weighing the pros and cons of thin clients vs. thick clients for VDI

  Thin clients offer advantages over PCs, but you can easily repurpose old PCs to run as thin clients. Before you decide, weigh the pros and cons of thin clients and thick clients.Continue Reading

• Virtual Desktop Storage Basics: Storage allocation for VDI

  IT pros need to provision storage carefully to keep storage costs low in virtual desktop environments. Part three of this e-book covers proper storage allocation and management for VDI.Continue Reading

• VDI vs. traditional desktops: How to get the best of both worlds

  You can obtain VDI benefits -- such as application packaging, remote management and desktop access -- from anywhere for a traditional desktop environment. Here’s how.Continue Reading

• Google Chrome OS vs. Chromium OS: Understanding the difference

  Before buying Google Chromebooks, learn the difference between Chrome and Chromium -- the free HTML5 browsers and OSes you can use to check out desktop virtualization clients.Continue Reading

• VDI for one, please! Delivering remote desktops to a select few

  If you only need virtual desktops for a few users, you can provide VDI functionality for almost no cost and without any real design effort. It’s simpler than you’d think.Continue Reading

• Does VDI eliminate the need for antivirus software?

  The combination of VDI and antivirus software for virtual desktops provides significant security benefits compared to traditional PCs.Continue Reading

• Using App-V Package Accelerator to virtualize tricky apps

  Here are some tips on using the Package Accelerator feature in Microsoft App-V 4.6 SP1 to virtualize tricky apps and pitfalls to avoid when sharing Package Accelerators you’ve built.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between XenClient 2 and XenClient XT?

  Citrix released XenClient 2 and a new, highly secure client hypervisor called XenClient XT. Here, Brian Madden parses the differences and explains the use case for XenClient XT.Continue Reading

• Solving the VDI storage problem

  IT pros offer tips on building storage architectures for VDI and express opinions about the best storage products for virtual desktops.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of using storage virtualization for virtual desktops

  Thinking of virtualizing storage to improve virtual desktop performance? Here are the pros and cons of storage virtualization for VDI.Continue Reading

• Do you need Citrix, or is Microsoft Remote Desktop enough?

  Using only Microsoft Remote Desktop Session Host products won’t do unless you have a very simple environment. Here’s why adding Citrix XenApp or Quest vWorkspace makes sense.Continue Reading

• VDI: The answer to today's desktop security nightmares

  VDI gives IT pros a way to reclaim desktop security, because it puts all desktop data on a secure server. But you also have to secure VDI servers, and that part gets tricky.Continue Reading

• Create Windows virtual disk images fast with WIM2VHD

  Windows Image to Virtual Hard Disk (WIM2VHD) takes data from .WIM files and spins it into a VHD file in a fraction of the time it takes to actually install WindowsContinue Reading

• Microsoft's virtual desktop licensing costs still hinder VDI adoption

  By making virtual desktop licensing expensive, Microsoft prevents customers from lowering desktop management and Windows upgrade costs while protecting its Windows profitability.Continue Reading

• Choosing VDI connection brokers for high-definition desktops

  Third-party connection brokers are vendor-agnostic, giving data center managers a way to deploy VDI in heterogeneous data centers.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of using hosted apps in the enterprise

  Hosted applications can reduce IT management burdens, but they can leave you at the mercy of service providers. Here are the pros and cons to weigh before moving to the cloud.Continue Reading

• How to tell if you're actually using RemoteFX

  Turning on the RemoteFX role service under Remote Desktop Services is simple, but how can you tell if you've connected via RemoteFX or plain old RDP?Continue Reading

• Using AppLocker to lock down Remote Desktop Services apps

  The time it takes to get AppLocker fully functional negates its benefits, but with Remote Desktop Services, the Windows 7 application security tool is a no-brainer.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

• Backing up apps in Microsoft App-V, Citrix XenApp and VMware ThinApp

  Few backup tools target virtualized applications, so here the most important components to manually back up for Microsoft App-V, Citrix XenApp and VMware ThinApp.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting virtual desktop connectivity issues

  Users occasionally have trouble connecting to their virtual desktops. These steps in the process of elimination can help troubleshoot network problems as quickly as possible.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 avoid common VDI deployment problems

  Virtualization expert Mike Nelson talked to us about some of the most common problems that enterprises deal with in their first virtual desktop deployment projects.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

• The performance impact of distance, bandwidth and latency on VDI

  Connection brokers are fine for assigning display protocols to local VDI clients. However, bandwidth, distance and latency make display protocols more important than ever.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

• Core Parking for VM host servers in Windows

  To get the full benefit of power savings from server and desktop virtualization, follow these steps to use the Core Parking feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.Continue Reading

• The layers of desktop virtualization

  The 'layer cake' approach for provisioning desktops and associated applications may simplify VDI management.Continue Reading

• Calculating power savings from virtualization

  A virtual desktop deployment can save your organization a substantial amount of money on its electric bills.Continue Reading

• How to measure and maximize virtual desktop performance

  Although virtual machine performance is harder to measure than that of conventional desktops, using the right metrics can help with user interactivity.Continue Reading

• Integrating Windows 7 into VDI to simplify PC upgrades

  The move from Windows XP to Windows 7 is anything but easy. Enterprises can simplify -- and quicken -- their migration by adopting a virtual desktop infrastructure.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

• Understanding cloud computing, virtual desktops and DaaS

  The convergence of virtual desktop infrastructures and cloud computing is leading the market to desktop as a service.Continue Reading

• Deploying Remote Desktop Web Access

  With Remote Desktop Web Access, users can connect to a remote desktop or an application through a Web browser. Follow these steps to start using the feature.Continue Reading

• How to deploy personal virtual desktops

  Assigning personal virtual desktops to users is relatively simple. Follow these steps to deploy them in your environment.Continue Reading

• Deploying a Remote Desktop Session Host

  The Remote Desktop Session Host in Windows Vista and Windows 7 performs the role of a terminal server. Deploying a session host isn't difficult -- if you plan ahead.Continue Reading

• Setting up virtual hard disk storage

  VMware and Hyper-V can easily connect virtual machines to storage, but it crucial to pick the right method for your enterprise.Continue Reading

• Getting started with a Windows virtual desktop pool

  Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 make deploying a VDI a breeze. But to establish a virtual desktop pool, you need to properly configure certain elements.Continue Reading

• Assessing your IT infrastructure for desktop virtualization

  Enterprises are increasingly using desktop virtualization for centralized application management. Make sure to remember performance and storage requirements when making VDI plans.Continue Reading

• Simplifying Windows 7 rollouts with a virtual desktop deployment

  The maturation of desktop virtualization is helping enterprises manage their IT environments, migrate to Windows 7 and ease into cloud computing.Continue Reading

• How to build a native-boot VHD for Windows 7 in a few simple steps

  Booting natively to a VHD in Windows 7 can be a complicated. This step-by-step guide breaks down and simplifies the process.Continue Reading

• The future of application virtualization: The VDI app store concept

  Is a virtual desktop infrastructure app store on the horizon? See how VMware ThinApp could change application management.Continue Reading

• Unlocking the possibilities of native-boot VHD in Windows 7, Part 2

  Virtual hard disks could ease development and testing. Follow these steps and links to get a Windows 2008 R2 or Windows 7 machine to boot natively to a VHD.Continue Reading

• Unlocking the possibilities of native-boot VHD in Windows 7

  Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 7 include native support for virtual hard disks, making it easier for administrators to use VHDs. Learn how to configure a native boot from those OSes.Continue Reading

• Which form of app virtualization is best: streaming or localized?

  Follow these steps to determine which method of application virtualization is best for your IT shop: streaming mode or localized mode. Know your IT environment to find the way.Continue Reading

• How to configure Wyse terminals without console interaction

  As virtual desktop infrastructure has become mainstream, Wyse has supported Citrix, VMware View and other virtualization systems. Learn how to configure Wyse thin clients.Continue Reading

• How to protect virtual desktops on a corporate network

  Virtual desktop infrastructures offer easier management but still require a layered approach to protect corporate networks. Learn what additional security measures you should take.Continue Reading

• The top 5 ways that VDI can help improve your enterprise's security

  Virtual desktop infrastructure can make enterprise security easier to manage. Learn how VDI can help with tasks such as patching, setting firewalls and protecting against viruses.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

• The first step toward a virtual desktop infrastructure: The assessment

  A desktop environment assessment provides administrators with insight into the scope, size and impact of a virtual desktop infrastructure implementation.Continue Reading

• How to set up Remote Desktop Services on Windows 2008 R2

  Learn how to install and configure Remote Desktop Services on Windows 2008 R2 to use Terminal Services and Remote Desktop Gateway Manager and test Microsoft's VDI product.Continue Reading

• Working with Terminal Services RemoteApp

  Learn how to use Terminal Services RemoteApp feature in Windows Terminal Services to host remote applications and access hosted apps, allowing for centralized desktop management.Continue Reading

• Dealing with Windows Terminal Services licensing issues

  Terminal Services complex licensing requirements -- specifically TS Licensing role service -- can be intimidating. Learn how to choose the most cost-effective licensing scheme.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

• Deploying Terminal Services Web Access

  Need to facilitate a remote Terminal Services session? The easiest method to use -- and set up -- is Terminal Services Web Access, a feature of Windows Server 2008.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

• Choosing a connection broker for your virtual desktop

  Choosing the appropriate connection broker is tantamount to ensuring the proper management interface, licensing model and virtual server support for your virtual desktop infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Configuring Active Directory GPOs in a VDI environment

  For an easy transition to virtual desktops, focus on configuring Group Policy Objects for VDI OS images.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

• Presentation virtualization: The low-complexity alternative to VDI

  Virtual desktop infrastructure has its place in data centers but brings several complexities, such as the duplication of desktops and heavy resource needs. But presentation virtualization can provide functionality at a much cheaper price.Continue Reading

• How to install Microsoft VDI and key deployment considerations

  Installing Microsoft VDI involves certain hardware requirements, the integration of components and some patience. This tip explains how to install Microsoft VDI and key requirements.Continue Reading

• Which virtualization licensing model matches your needs?

  Presentation virtualization and desktop virtualization differ in functionality, but have similar licensing models. Find out which licensing model is best.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

• How to determine your virtual machine per-core ratio

  Discover industry standards, real-world examples and a sample equation to help you determine how many virtual machines can fit onto a core server.Continue Reading

• Defining server-based computing

  Server-based computing has been around a long time and it's gaining new visibility as VDI grows in popularity.Continue Reading

• Lock down systems by switching to a VDI technology

  While admins prefer to lock down systems for stability and to reduce costs, users would prefer to have more freedom. Read why implementing VDI can help find a happy medium for these two groups.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

• How to troubleshoot Terminal Services connection problems

  Having a problem with your Terminal Services connection resource limits? Find out how a registry key can help troubleshoot the issue.Continue Reading