Publish and Deploy Remote Apps in Windows Server
Publish and Deploy Remote Apps
RemoteApp programs are programs that are accessed remotely through a special type of Remote Desktop Connection, and appear as if they are running on the end user’s local computer. Instead of being presented to the user in the desktop of the server, as with a traditional Remote Desktop Connection, the RemoteApp programs are integrated with the client computer’s desktop, running in their own resizable window, with their own entry in the taskbar. If the programs use notification area icons, the icons appear in the client computer’s notification area. Any popup windows are redirected to the local desktop, and local drives and printers can be redirected to appear within the RemoteApp programs. Many users might not be aware that a RemoteApp program is any different than a local program.
Infrastructure Requirement:
- 1 Domain Controller SERVER (Must be on a domain)
- 1 Client PC running Windows (CLIENT-Windows 10)
Note: Users must have a VPN connection to access published remote applications if they want to access remote applications outside of the domain network
Option 1: The PowerShell way
Load the RemoteDesktop PowerShell Module
import-module RemoteDesktop
Before publishing a new RemoteApp you want to see the available applications:
Get-RDAvailableApp -CollectionName <SessionCollection> -ConnectionBroker <Server FQDN>
Creating a New RemoteApp
new-rdremoteapp -Alias Wordpad -DisplayName WordPad -FilePath “C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe” -ShowInWebAccess 1 -collectionname <SessionCollection> -ConnectionBroker <Server FQDN>
To remove a RemoteApp in PowerShell:
The following PowerShell cmd will remove a RemoteApp.
Remove-RDRemoteApp -CollectionName “Session Collection” -Alias WordPad
Option 2: Using GUI(Graphical User Interface)
01 — Open Server Manager Click Add roles and features.
02 — Click Next to proceed
03 — Choose Remote Desktop Services installation button and click next to proceed.
04 — On the Select deployment type box, click Quick Start
05 — Next, on the Select deployment scenario box, choose Session-based desktop deployment.
06 — On the Select a Server box, verify your RDS server and the IP address (in my case, my RDS server is WIN-5GP182H35DS / 172.31.120.128).
07 — On the Confirm selections box, verify the roles to be installed and click Restart the destination. box and then click Deploy.
08 — Wait till the process is completed. your server will restart after the RDS roles are installed.
09 — Once you log in to the server, on the Server Manager, click Remote Desktop Services. and then click QuickSessionCollection to proceed with the next configuration.
10 — On the RemoteApp Programs column, Click TASKS and click Publish RemoteApps Programs.
11 — Next, on the Select RemoteApps programs box, choose any software that you want to publish to our users. for my case.. I am going to use Server Manager to publish to the Administrator. so I selected the Server Manager.(Note: Choose your own apps)
12 — Next, on the confirmation box, verify the program that you want to publish and click the Publish button then Close.
13 — Next, on the Windows client(i.e Windows 10). open Internet Explorer and type your full server link such as in my case https://WIN-5GP182H35DS/rdweb. This is to log in to your RDWEB website.
14 — Next, click on the More information then Click on Go on to the webpage (not recommended).
15 — on the Work Resources page, enter your Domain user name & password.
16 — Finally, you should have your Server Manager on the RDWEB page. in my case, is my Server Manager for Administrator Purpose only.
17 — to verify the functionality of the program, double click on the Server Manager and click on the Connect button.
18 — And see on… my Server Manager is now open.
