This blog post was co-authored by Allen Furmanski, Principal Product Marketing Manager for Citrix DaaS.

There has been no shortage of updates in the world of Citrix DaaS and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. At the end of March, we delivered a What’s New and Next in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops webinar and were joined by more people than ever to hear the latest updates and ask us tough questions. We appreciate the time and attention. We couldn’t answer all your questions live, so we wanted to answer them here to benefit everyone.

With our updates on the Long-Term Service Release (LTSR), optimizing unified communications platforms, security enhancements, and more, there are a number of enhancements we want to dive deep into. We’ve grouped the questions and answers into the following categories to help you find the information you are looking for:

Our Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203 Long Term Service Release (LTSR) launched last quarter, and our LTSRs are always highly anticipated by customers. It was no surprise that there were quite a few inquiries about the LTSR. Let’s take a closer look.

Long Term Service Release (LTSR)

What’s the target date for the first Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops LTSR 2203 Cumulative Update (CU)?
Cumulative updates are software releases that provide maintenance corrections and/or fixes to the LTSR. Generally, we target CUs a few months after the initial release. While we have no official date right now, watch our Downloads page for the next release.

Are there specific Citrix DaaS releases that align with the LTSR?
By their nature, Citrix DaaS cloud releases are not version-specific. They are automatically updated and patched on a regular basis to ensure the best experience for organizations. You can also leverage the LTSR VDA in your Citrix DaaS environment for the five years of supportability on the VDA in tandem with automatically updated control infrastructure. Please note, extended support is not offered for the LTSR VDAs leveraged in your cloud environments.

How does Hybrid Rights licensing work in a totally isolated environment?
Citrix has reinstated the ability to provision to the public cloud from on-premises deployments starting with the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203 LTSR. Hybrid Rights are term-based subscription licenses that are provided in addition to the cloud service subscription when a customer transitions or trades up from a perpetual license to a cloud service subscription. Customers operating in an isolated on-premises environment do not need Hybrid Rights.

Are Hybrid Rights licenses mandatory for on-premises customers?
Hybrid Rights licenses are not mandatory for anyone. However, they are required if (and only if) organizations are looking to provision workloads in public clouds using on-premises Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops infrastructure. Please note, organizations leveraging cloud-based catalogs on the 7.15 or 1912 LTSRs without the new hybrid licensing won’t be able to upgrade to 2203 until they have the new hybrid license type.

Is there an extra cost for Hybrid Rights for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203?
If you have Hybrid Rights as a part of your transition to the cloud, there is no additional cost. If you would like Hybrid Rights beyond your initial licenses to transition, you have the option to renew Hybrid Rights at an additional cost. Please check with your account manager or partner for more details.

Can you leverage Windows Server 2012 and an older VDA in a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203 environment?
You can use any currently supported version of the VDA with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203 LTSR. However, this deployment is not eligible for LTSR benefits and will only be supported for the lifetime of that specific version. Check out this blog post for more information.

Is Workspace Environment Management (WEM) 2203 considered an LTSR?
WEM is a compatible component of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops LTSR. This means that WEM can be used in conjunction with an LTSR environment but doesn’t qualify for the extended lifecycle and cumulative update packs.

Is drag and drop between a Citrix session and a local endpoint supported in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203 LTSR?
Yes. This capability was added in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2003. Please refer to this support article for more details. This blog post has a list of the top HDX enhancements in the 2203 LTSR.

Are there any steps I need to take to update from the Citrix Workspace app 2201 for Windows to the Workspace app 2203 LTSR for Windows?
You can upgrade from any previous Citrix Workspace app version to the latest version. The Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2203 LTSR offers an extended active maintenance period of about 18 months with an extended lifecycle. Learn more about the Citrix Workspace app for Windows LTSR.

Can the 2203 LTSR use legacy drive mappings with One Drive?
If you’d like to use OneDrive with CPM 2203 roaming profiles, theoretically, if you redirect only special folders like Documents into OneDrive, there shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you redirect “AppData” into OneDrive, there might be performance issues as files in that folder might be accessed frequently by applications. The container profile doesn’t support OneDrive cache yet. It is presently a roadmap item.

In my environment, we still use Windows Server 2008R2 due to legacy apps. With this new 2203 LTSR release not supporting 2008R2, does that mean I cannot move to it?
No. You will be able to move to 2203 LTSR, but you must use an earlier VDA version for 2008R2 compatibility. See our product documentation for details. Also, you might want to consider running Windows 7 with extended support in Azure as an alternative option.

Why is Browser Content Redirection not part of the LTSR versions of Citrix Workspace app? Will it be included in the future?
We have purposefully excluded Browser Content Redirection (BCR) from the Citrix Workspace app LTSR because BCR depends on the Chromium Embedded Framework, and it may not always be possible to keep in pace with the security updates on this framework. This was also the case with the Citrix Workspace app 1912 LTSR. Learn more in this Knowledge Base article. We are exploring whether this can be included in future LTSR versions of Citrix Workspace app; however, we will not include BCR as part of any CU of the 2203 LTSR.

Unified Communications and Meetings

What Microsoft Teams Optimization features are in 2203 compared to 7.15?
XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15 does not do Microsoft Teams optimization, so by moving to 2203 LTSR you get optimization for:

  • Audio/Video/screensharing offload
  • Multi-monitor screensharing
  • DTMF
  • Proxy server support
  • Multi-Window (a.k.a new meeting experience) (*)
  • Breakout rooms as Organizer (*)
  • Simultaneous Video and outgoing screensharing (*)
  • Application Sharing
  • Give/Take Control (*)
  • Live Captions (*)
  • Secondary Ringtone (*)
  • Dynamic e911

(*) Microsoft is rolling out these features. Follow their progress.

How is Microsoft Teams optimization handled on Chrome OS? Is it done with Citrix Workspace app?
It is handled similarly to other platforms and requires a current version of Citrix Workspace app as well as Chrome OS. Check out the Chrome section of this product documentation for more details.

Are there any plans to bring HDX optimization (media offload) to GoToMeeting?
For optimizing GoToMeeting, we recommend using Browser Content Redirection (BCR) or URL redirection. See this support article for more information.

Does Microsoft Teams multi-window capability mean breakout rooms are supported?
Breakout rooms are supported for VDI participants. Microsoft Teams doesn’t support breakout rooms if the organizer is a VDI user.

Does Citrix now support blurred backgrounds for Microsoft Teams optimization?
This is not currently supported. Once Microsoft makes available the necessary APIs, we will begin to work on implementing this capability.

We are currently using 7.15 LTSR CU7 and would like to upgrade to the new 2203 LTSR. Our HP servers do not have GPUs. To support MS Teams, Zoom, WebEx, etc., should we deploy hosted-shared or VDI? What would you recommend?
We recommend VDI for Webex and Zoom based on the support statement from our partners. Hosted-shared desktops are supported if customers aren’t delivering real-time communication apps via seamless windows. Zoom, for example, does not support delivery as a published seamless app.

What is your optimization with the 8×8 phone platform (specifically with IGEL OS)?
There is currently telephony optimization that should work on most IGEL OS devices. For video conferencing we suggest exploring Citrix Browser Content Redirection or generic fallback capabilities.

Installation and Migration

Is the Citrix Automated Configuration Tool a supported component from Citrix Tech Support should I need to open a case?
Yes. The tool has been GA for a while now and has helped customers to complete hundreds of migrations. It is fully supported should you have any questions or issues that require the assistance of Citrix Technical Support.

With the Automated Configuration Tool, does it actually migrate the MCS golden image or does it just bring in the VDAs? Also does it leave the on-premises catalog usable, or does it actually move it?
Our product documentation covers this scenario. The main image is copied for both static VDI and non-static VDI. Please note that in non-static VDI, the image file is the only thing migrated because the VM is stateless. On-premises/source catalogs always remain usable after migration. We do not write or do anything to the on-prem site. We simply read data from it. Check the product documentation for capacity considerations, as well.

Are there plans to simplify initial Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops installations for on-premises/managed environments. Fewer installers, scripts, and reboots would be welcomed, including something beyond the new VDA Upgrade feature.
There is a baseline required amount of MSI installers for a functioning environment. It’s possible to create a script to automate much of the installation or use a tool like SCCM. Reboots are already kept to a minimum, though some are required when installing drivers, and Microsoft requires reboots after the .NET framework install at times, which is outside of our scope.

Is the Citrix Image Portability service compatible with Citrix App Layering?
Yes, they are compatible and tested together. As long as you are using Citrix App Layering to produce images in VMware vSphere, you can use these images as an input into Image Portability Service and migrated to Azure and/or Google Cloud.

Is the VDA Upgrade Service available on server VDAs or desktop VDAs?
The VDA upgrade service is available for persistent server and desktop VDA workloads to streamline management without the need for third-party tools or customer scripts. When installing the VDA, add the VDA Upgrade Agent additional component (via CMD line, or GUI) and on the Machine Catalog, enable the VDA Upgrade feature and select your appropriate VDA type (CR or LTSR).

Will it be possible for a profile to be automatically migrated from one VDA to another if a VDA is put into maintenance mode? We are using Server 2016 as there are O365 issues with 2019.
When using roaming profiles with Server 2016, admins may configure different VDAs (in maintenance mode or not in maintenance mode) to load the same user profile, so that if one VDA goes into maintenance mode, they will login to another VDA by the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops mechanism, and CPM will load the same profile.

With profile containers, if the VDA in maintenance mode continues to load the VHD, there will be an issue for the second login on a different VDA. But it could be easily solved by logging off the user on the machine with maintenance mode.

A similar workaround can be completed if using FSLogix containers/Office containers.

User Experience

Does Citrix Workspace app support multiple monitors with different resolutions?
Absolutely, although multi-monitor support varies per platform. Please refer to the appropriate documentation for the Citrix Workspace app you are using. Check out this Citrix support article, as well.

With Citrix Analytics for Performance, are the endpoint stats only available for cloud environments or for on-premises, as well?
Both cloud and on-premises environments are supported. Please see our What’s New documentation for additional information on requirements.

Security and Authentication

For Citrix Workspace app, are there any plans to integrate Windows Hello with Domain passthrough authentication?
Please check with your local partner or Citrix rep for more details to prioritize. Current Windows Hello support is outlined at Citrix documentation, and keep an eye on the publicly available roadmap for updates.

What level of vTPM is supported in 2203 LTSR for use with Windows 11 as the VDI platform?
The Citrix VDA software will run within a vTPM-enabled Windows 11 VM as well as a VM with Azure Trusted Launch. You can also use MCS to provision VMs with vTPM enabled by Azure Trusted Launch. This is all fully tested and supported. For specific features within the Windows OS that are enabled by vTPM or Azure Trusted Launch, this is handled on a case-by-case basis, and Citrix teams are actively testing compatibility.

For Citrix Session Recording, can you capture both video recordings and events in a log file, specifically file transferring?
Yes, with Citrix Session Recording, you have the option to capture full video recordings of sessions, specific video recordings when triggered by an event, or logs of specific events without a full video recording. File transferring is an event captured via Session Recording. Check out our full list of recording types.

Public Clouds

How can Citrix DaaS customers leverage the Google Cloud control plane?
Citrix is continuing to expand our partnership with Google and announced our Citrix DaaS Standard and Citrix DaaS Premium for Google Cloud offerings that are deployed on the Citrix Cloud control plane hosted on Google Cloud in the US region. If you would like to leverage the Google Cloud control plane, you need to purchase new Citrix DaaS for Google Cloud licenses. We do not have migration mechanisms currently available to migrate only control planes.

When is the new Azure change VM settings going to be available?
It’s listed under the February new features in the What’s New documentation. If you are a customer and you don’t see it, please reach out to your account manager or Citrix partner.

In Azure Quick Deploy, are certain VM sizes only supported in specific regions?
While there are many VM sizes available in Azure regions, not all regions support all VM types. Check out our listing of what Citrix supports. For unique use cases, customers can use their own Azure subscription and deploy in any Azure region. Review this Microsoft document for a listing of what Microsoft supports. Additionally, this Microsoft document lists what is available in each region.

Is PVS on Azure available on Azure Marketplace?
PVS on Azure is available today in Citrix DaaS. Today, there are some manual steps for PVS server configuration, and we are continuously working to simplify deployment. Review the Citrix product documentation for more information on Citrix Provisioning on Azure.

Miscellaneous

Is the Process Hierarchy Control feature available for WEM on-premises?
Yes. This has been in the on-premises version for some time. Please refer to the product documentation for more information.

Is the Citrix App Layering Enterprise Layer Manager (ELM) integrated into Citrix Studio in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203?
Citrix App Layering is deployed and managed separately from Citrix Studio, but we have modernized the management experience with a new user interface. This blog post outlines specific enhancements.

Does service continuity work with Web browsers?
Yes. It works with both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge from Windows devices and Google Chrome on Mac devices as of this writing. Please refer to the Citrix product documentation for more information.

Is the health check feature the same as the probing feature within Studio?
No. They are different. Please see this product documentation for the health check and this product documentation for probing. These are different checks and use cases.

With the new hybrid model for subscription/licensing, can on-premises site controllers use the Citrix ITSM Adapter for ServiceNow? Previously it was only available cloud-to-cloud as I recall.
The Citrix ITSM service is designed for Citrix DaaS Premium only. ITSM service is not applicable to pure on-premises customers. However, if you have an active subscription to Citrix DaaS Premium, your on-premises apps and desktops can leverage the ITSM service if you aggregate your on-premises sites to Citrix Cloud. For more instructions on site aggregation, please see step 4 in the onboarding section.

Check out our product documentation for more information about Hybrid Rights licensing.

Is the Gateway callback URL issue with StoreFront 2203 going to be addressed with a cumulative update?
Yes. This issue has already been addressed with a hotfix. We are also planning to include it in the first cumulative update for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2203 LTSR.

Will there be a VDA option for MacOS?
Apple has historically mandated that MacOS must run on Apple hardware, but Mac instances are available in public clouds such as AWS. We’re also aware of many Citrix customers using MacOS as a client platform with Citrix Workspace app. At this time, we do not have support for MacOS as a VDA platform for virtual desktop and app workloads — including the Remote PC Access option. We always welcome new use cases and business justification through your account team and/or Citrix partner to prioritize and see what could be done in the future. Additionally, keep in mind that many apps that run on MacOS will also run on Windows or Linux platforms, which we fully support today.

Is Citrix Workspace app available on IGEL OS devices? How do we know which features these thin clients support?
Yes. Citrix Workspace app for Linux is supported on IGEL OS. Please refer to IGEL’s website and the Citrix Ready website for additional details, including feature availability.

Do we have a function to recover persistent desktops if they have lost domain membership or network details?
There is no specific recommendation here aside from using local admin credentials to log in and rejoin the domain. Citrix Provisioning has an out-of-band method to reset machine passwords. You can also use scripting and/or third-party solutions.

Is the support for the Linux VDA on par with the Windows VDA?
Yes. Support for the Linux VDA is on par with the Windows VDA. There are slightly different features amongst the two OSs, but we are continuously working to create feature parity between the two OSs.

Where can I get more content and training on the latest features?
There are several resources to leverage for information on the latest features. Citrix Tech Zone offers detailed technical articles, demos and architectures across the Citrix portfolio and is updated regularly. Additionally, organizations with Customers Success Services entitlements have access to Citrix Education to get the latest updates and training on our products. Lastly, we regularly post what’s new information here on the Citrix blog.

If you missed the webinar, don’t worry. You can view the on-demand recording to get all the latest updates and information. Also, be on the lookout for our quarterly “What’s New” blog post on all things new with Citrix DaaS and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops.

Please note, these answers are complete and correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of this writing. Please see our product documentation for the latest technical information and our VDI and DaaS blog posts for news about Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and Citrix DaaS.

Disclaimer: The development, release and timing of any features or functionality described for our products remains at our sole discretion and are subject to change without notice or consultation. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions or incorporated into any contract.