This blog post was co-authored by Gautam Badveti, Software Engineering Manager at Citrix.

Launching Citrix apps and desktops from a web browser is a common and valuable way for users to access the resources they need. That is why we are continuing to bring new enhancements to this experience. In the past, users sometimes found that their virtual desktop wouldn’t open when they clicked on it from the Citrix Workspace web client. When that happened, they could launch virtual desktop .ica files to get to their Citrix Workspace app, but this could be tedious and didn’t always work.

That’s why we are excited to introduce the Citrix Workspace browser extension to streamline app and desktop launches from the web client! This web extension plugin can detect your locally installed Citrix Workspace app from the browser reliably and help launch virtual desktops and apps without the need to download an .ica file. The extension is for all supported browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, and others) and is available for both cloud and on-premises deployments.

Let’s take a closer look at how to best use the browser extension and the benefits it offers to your organization.

Launching with the Browser Extension

Before the browser extension, users had to use the protocol handler method to detect a natively installed Workspace app from their browsers. But this method had a point of failure. If organizations set up load balancing at the gateway, when the communication token was sent during native app detection, it commonly reached a different StoreFront location than what was intended for the app or desktop launch. When this happened, detection often failed or app launches failed silently in the background.

To enhance reliability, we introduced an .ica file download method. But there were security challenges around that because the .ica file was downloaded into the user’s local system, which might not have been secure.

We needed a new approach that was both reliable and secure, and that’s how the browser extension was born. This extension detects the user’s locally installed Citrix Workspace app from within the browser and launches their virtual desktops and apps, without you having to download an .ica file.

It is important to note that the user needs to have a Citrix Workspace app client natively installed on their device to enable this extension to work. You can download the correct workspace app here.

As shown above, the extension does not have access to any other websites the user visits and stays “gray.” The moment you go to the Citrix Workspace Web link, the extension is activated and becomes “green” to show that it has access to the site. It automatically detects if the Workspace app is installed on your machine and tells you which version it is running on.

Benefits of the Browser Extension

The browser extension enhances the reliability and security of hybrid launches. Users have seamless access to their critical resources, and IT spends less time troubleshooting issues. The browser also comes with a number of features built in such as:

  • Providing the user’s session information: A login timeout tooltip prompts users to start leveraging offline mode if authentication is not successful within 30 seconds. Troubleshooting logs help when raising concerns with IT.

  • Removing or minimizing component dependence: With service continuity capabilities, the browser extension also removes or minimizes dependence on the availability of components involved in the connection process. Users without the browser extension see a blank screen when resources are not available. With the browser extension, the user’s page is retained in offline mode so they can still access offline resources. Once connectivity is restored, users are switched to online mode seamlessly and silently. See the image below, and learn more in our product documentation.

  • Watermarking and anti-screen capturing and keylogging with app protection: With this capability, the browser extension helps to protect users from keylogging, screen capture, and other security threats. The user’s IP address is watermarked over the secure screens, as shown below. Learn more in our product documentation.

How to Install the Extension

The browser extension is incredibly easy to install. If you have ever added a browser extension before, it is the exact same process. Let’s take a closer look at how a user would install the extension with Chrome.

To get the browser extension, go to the Chrome Web Store and follow the steps shown in the images below. When a user first lands on the page, they will see the web extension option shown below and will click on “Add to Chrome.”

Next, there will be a popup confirming that they want to add the web extension. They will click “Add Extension.”

Once the extension is added to Chrome, they want to be able to pin it for easy access. To do this, click on the puzzle piece icon on the top right of the Chrome browser.

Lastly, once there is a pop-up, click on the pushpin icon to pin the extension.

Now the browser extension is officially installed, and the user can ensure that their apps and desktops will launch seamlessly from wherever they choose!

Learn More

The browser extension is the perfect companion for your workspace, providing you with seamless client detection and launch, supporting service continuity during network outages, and providing protection against screen-capture and keylogging attacks. It’s available today for all supported browsers including Chrome and Safari (Firefox is coming soon). Learn more about the browser extension in our product documentation.

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.