Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409 - Preview

You can download Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409 preview version from the Downloads page.

For information on installation, see Install page.

You can give the EAR feedback using the Feedback form.

Note:

This is an Early Access Build shared for the purpose of testing or validation with the intent to make organizations ready for the upcoming release and is NOT advised to be deployed in production environments.

What’s new

Note:

The minimum required version of .NET Desktop Runtime is 8 for Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409.

• Enhanced virtual desktop screen resizing experience
• Enhanced desktop launch experience
• Support for Windows 11 24H2
• Enhancement to sustainability initiative
• Streamlined beacon checks
• .NET requirements
• SOCKS5 proxy support for EDT
• Customization of Desktop Viewer toolbar
• Remember USB connections
• Disabling the “Exiting Full Screen Mode” tip prompt
• Support for WebHID API in UCSDK
• Disabling TLS 1.0 or 1.1 communication protocols
• Default audio device selection
• Connection Strength Indicator on Desktop Viewer Toolbar (Technical Preview)
• Enable Packet Loss Concealment to improve audio performance (Technical Preview)
• Virtual Channel Plugin Manager
• Deprecation of HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Skype for Business

Support for Windows 11 24H2

Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409 provides support for the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 release. This support ensures a smooth transition for users upgrading to the latest Windows version and allows continued use of Citrix Workspace app without any disruption.

Note:

The Enable MPR notifications for the System policy in the Group Policy Object template must be enabled to support the domain pass-through (single sign-on) authentication feature on Windows 11. By default, this policy is disabled on Windows 11 24H2. So, if upgraded to Windows 11 24H2, you must enable the Enable MPR notifications for the System policy.

Enhanced virtual desktop screen resizing experience

Starting with the 2409 version, Citrix Workspace app for Windows ensures a smooth transition and prevents dark screens and flickers when resizing or stretching your virtual desktop screen. This feature is enabled by default.

Enhanced desktop launch experience

Starting with version 2409, Citrix Workspace app for Windows ensures an enhanced desktop launch experience. You’ll experience a seamless, flicker-free transition to your desktop without intermediate screens. The app also eliminates dark screens and flickering during resizing or stretching, providing a stable and modern interface. This feature is enabled by default.

Enhancement to sustainability initiative

With this release, the sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app is enhanced to include the following extra keywords:

• ICA-Title="sample title": The sample title is shown as the title. It’s recommended to limit the title character count to 30.
• ICA-Icon=true: The green-leaf icon is shown. If set to false, the green leaf icon is hidden.

Example:

KEYWORDS: ICA-LogOffOnClose=true ICA-PromptMessage="Do you want to sign out from the session?" ICA-Title="Logout or disconnect" ICA-Icon=true
<!--NeedCopy-->

Note:

With this enhancement, if old keywords are detected, the behavior will revert to the default behavior.

To enable this feature, do the following:

1. Navigate to Citrix Studio.
2. Click Delivery Groups from the left navigation pane.
3. Select the required VDA from the Delivery Group section.
4. Click the Edit icon. The Edit Delivery Group page appears.
5. Click Desktops from the left navigation pane.
6. Select the required VDA where you must add the keywords.
7. Click Edit. The Edit Desktop page appears.
8. Set the ICA-LogOffOnClose keyword to true in the Description field.

9. Click OK. The following dialog box appears when you close the virtual desktop.

   

Customizing the text in the Save Energy screen

You can also customize the text in the Save energy screen.

1. Follow steps 1–8 in the preceding section.
2. Set the ICA-PromptMessage keyword to the required text in the Description field.
3. Set the ICA-Title keyword to the required text in the Description field.

4. Set the ICA-Icon keyword to true or false.

   Note:

   The maximum number of characters allowed in the Description field is 200.

   Example:

   KEYWORDS:ICA-LogOffOnClose=true ICA-PromptMessage="Do you want to sign out from the session?" ICA-Title="Sign out or disconnect" ICA-Icon=true
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

   

   The keywords are assigned by default for new desktop machines assigned to the group. For existing desktop machines, you must run the following PowerShell commands for changes to apply:

   $dg = Get-BrokerDesktopGroup -Name '<group name>' -Property 'Name','Uid'
   
   $apr = @( Get-BrokerAssignmentPolicyRule -DesktopGroupUid $dg.Uid -Property 'Description' )
    
   Get-BrokerMachine -DesktopGroupUid $dg.Uid -IsAssigned $true | Set-BrokerMachine -Description $apr[0].Description
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

   With this PowerShell script, it’s possible to have multiple assignment policy rules for a single Delivery Group. Using Citrix Studio also, you can configure multiple Assignment policy rules, each with a unique description value, and a possible set of different keywords.

5. Click OK. The following dialog box appears when you close the virtual desktop.

   

   When ICA-Icon=false

   

Streamlined beacon checks

With this release, you can now use a single internal beacon to determine the network location, eliminating the need for both external and internal beacons. This feature reduces dependencies, enhances reliability, and improves the end-user experience.

.NET requirements

The minimum required version of .NET Desktop Runtime is 8 for Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409.

Prerequisites

• .NET Framework 4.8 and x86 version of .NET Desktop Runtime 8 or later. You must install the x86 version even on x64 systems.
• Ensure an internet connection if installing .NET as part of Citrix Workspace app installation.
• Administrator privileges are required.

Note:

The installation fails if you try to install or upgrade Citrix Workspace app with non-administrator privileges and .NET Framework 4.8 and .NET Desktop Runtime 8 or later aren’t present on the system.

SOCKS5 Proxy Support for EDT

Previously, Citrix Workspace app only supported HTTP proxies operating on TCP. However, SOCKS5 proxy functionality was already fully supported within the Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA). For more information on VDA support, see the Rendezvous V2 documentation.

With this release, Citrix Workspace app now supports SOCKS5 proxies for Enlightened Data Transport (EDT), enhancing compatibility with modern enterprise network configurations.

Key benefits:

• Expanded proxy compatibility: Connect seamlessly through SOCKS5 proxies, widely used by enterprise networking teams for their support of both TCP and UDP traffic.
• Improved EDT performance: Use the full benefits of EDT (UDP-based) for optimized data transfer within Citrix Workspace app sessions.

This feature is disabled by default. To enable this feature, do the following:**

1. Open the Citrix Workspace app GPO administrative template by running gpedit.msc.

2. Under the Computer Configuration node, go to Administrative Templates > Citrix Workspace > Network routing > Proxy > Configure client proxy settings and select the Proxy types.

3. Set the following parameters:

   • ProxyType: SocksV5
   • ProxyHost: Specify the address of the proxy server.

For more information, see ICA Settings Reference and the Knowledge Center article CTX136516.

Customization of Desktop Viewer toolbar

With this release, you can customize the options on the Desktop Viewer toolbar using the Global App Configuration service, Group Policy Editor, or any third-party endpoint management software capable of pushing Windows registry keys.

Using GACS

To configure the customization of the Desktop Viewer toolbar through the GACS Admin UI, do the following:

1. Sign in to citrix.cloud.com with your credentials.

   Note:

   Refer to the Sign Up for Citrix Cloud article for step-by-step instructions to create a Citrix Cloud account.

2. Upon authentication, click the menu button in the top left corner and select Workspace Configuration. The Workspace Configuration screen appears.

3. Click App Configuration > Citrix Workspace app.

4. Select the Windows checkbox.

5. You can now update the settings under Session Experience > Toolbar.

   

For more information, see the Global App Configuration service documentation.

Using Group Policy Editor

To customize the options on the Desktop Viewer toolbar, do the following:

1. Open the Citrix Workspace app GPO administrative template by running gpedit.msc.

2. Under the Computer Configuration node, go to Administrative Templates > Citrix Workspace > Client Engine and select Desktop Viewer Toolbar Options.

   

3. Select the Enabled checkbox.
4. Select the required checkboxes from the Options section.
5. Click OK.

Remember USB connections

This feature enhances the user experience when remoting USB devices to a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops session. While auto-redirection supports using device rules exists, this feature simplifies the process by remembering manually requested connections and reconnecting them with minimal configuration.

Note:

Devices that have been marked ALLOW by the administrator in the ‘Client USB Device Redirection Rules (Version 2)’ policy of Citrix Studio or through GPO are available for manual-remembered connection to the session. In the absence of the Version 2 policy being enabled, the devices can be marked as ALLOW in the version 1 policy rules as well. Devices marked as CONNECT are always connected, while devices marked as DENY are prohibited from connection.

Key benefits

• Improved auto-redirection: By remembering manual connections and associating them with the desktop resource ID, devices are redirected only in the sessions where they were initially connected.
• Session-specific associations: Different devices can be remembered and associated with specific sessions, providing more convenience.

• User control: Users can choose to automatically connect remembered devices either at session start or upon device insertion during an active session by selecting the following checkboxes in the Preferences window or by setting the appropriate GPO policy or studio policy:

  • When a session starts, connect devices automatically
  • When a new device is inserted while a session is running, connect the device automatically

These settings can also be managed using GPO policy or centrally administered through DDC policy.

To enable this feature, follow these steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\ICA Client\GenericUSB.

3. Create a Registry value with the following attributes:

   • Registry Key Name: RememberConnections
   • Type: DWORD
   • Value: 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled)
4. Restart the Citrix Workspace app for the changes to take effect.

Note:

Citrix Workspace app’s default device rules include the CONNECT keyword for child devices of Bloomberg 5 keyboards. These rules are also present in the ‘Client USB Device Redirection Rules (Version 2)’ policy of Citrix Studio. To remember connections for the Bloomberg 5 keyboard, these rules must be modified by replacing the CONNECT keyword with ALLOW.

By enabling this feature, users can enjoy a more seamless and efficient experience with USB device redirection in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops sessions.

Disabling the “Exiting Full Screen Mode” Tip Prompt

Starting with Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409, you can suppress the “Exiting Full Screen Mode” tip prompt that appears during HDX sessions using the Registry Editor.

You can do it using the Registry Editor.

You can navigate to the following registry entry as an administrator and set the value as suggested:

• Path:

  • On 32‑bit systems: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Citrix\Ica Client\Keyboard Mapping\Tips
  • On 64‑bit systems: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Citrix\Ica Client\Keyboard\Tips
  • On end user systems: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Citrix\Ica Client\Keyboard Mapping\Tips
• Name: In full screen mode
• Type: DWORD

• Value: Other than 0

  

Note:

If the In full screen mode key value data is 0 or not configured, the tip is displayed.

You can also select the checkbox in the following prompt, which in turn updates the In full screen mode value to a value other than zero.

Support for WebHID API in UCSDK

Starting with the 2409 version, Citrix Workspace app for Windows supports the WebHID API to redirect Human Interface Device (HID) devices from an endpoint to Unified Communication SDK (UCSDK) integrated app on the VDI. It complies with the HID standard for bi-directional communication between the app that is integrated with UCSDK and the HID devices connected to the endpoint. With this feature, your UCSDK app interprets the HID headset commands such as Call accept, reject, mute, or unmute and so on in the HDX session for an enhanced user experience. This feature is enabled by default.

Note:

To take advantage of this feature, your real-time communications app must integrate UCSDK 4.0.

Disabling TLS 1.0 or 1.1 communication protocols

Starting with Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2409, the use of TLS 1.0 or 1.1 communication protocols is no longer enabled nor supported by default. This change enhances security by removing deprecated and potentially insecure protocols.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Security: Disabling outdated protocols reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities.
• Compliance: Aligns with industry standards and recommendations, such as RFC 8996.

Default audio device selection

Starting with the 2409 version of Citrix Workspace app, you can now select your preferred audio devices directly from the Preferences section. This feature allows for the splitting of audio devices across different VDA (VDAs) and monitors, providing a more customized audio experience.

Key features

• Device splitting: You can assign different audio devices to different VDAs. For example, you can have two monitors with two different VDAs, each using a separate audio device (one loudspeaker and one headset).
• Specific device selection: The exact audio device can be selected for each active VDA from the Preferences section.
• Configuration persistence: The selected configuration is preserved for the next session, ensuring a seamless experience.

Note:

If you do not want the selected configuration to be preserved for the next session, you can adjust the settings accordingly in the Preferences section.

To select the specific audio device, do the following:

1. Navigate to the Preferences section on the Desktop Viewer toolbar.

2. Click Connections. The following image appears:

   

3. Select the device that you want from the Default speaker drop-down list.
4. Select the device that you want from the Default microphone drop-down list.
5. Click OK. The selected configuration is saved.

Virtual Channel Plugin Manager

The Virtual Channel Plugin Manager can detect when the end-user on the VDA launches a third-party application (e.g., New Microsoft Teams), check if its respective VDI plug-in is already installed on the endpoint, and prompt the user to install the plugin if it is not.

For more information, see the Virtual Channel Plugin Manager documentation.

Connection Strength Indicator on Desktop Viewer Toolbar (Technical Preview)

Starting with version 2409, Citrix Workspace app for Windows now supports the Connection Strength Indicator (CSI) on the Desktop Viewer toolbar. This feature displays a network strength icon that alerts you of network issues. You can click the indicator to view real-time connection statistics for the client and VDA, and copy diagnostic information to share with IT for advanced troubleshooting.

Benefits:

• Immediate feedback: The network strength icon gently nudges users when network issues are detected.
• Enhanced troubleshooting: Real-time stats and diagnostics help users and IT teams quickly identify and resolve connectivity issues.

Prerequisites:

• This feature is only available when a session opened using:
  • VDA 2407 or later
  • VDA 2402 LTSR CU1 or later
• The Supportability Virtual Channel must be enabled on the client side.

This feature is disabled by default. To enable this feature, do the following:

1. Open the Citrix Workspace app Group Policy Object administrative template by running gpedit.msc.
2. Under the Computer Configuration node, go to Administrative Templates > Citrix Components > Citrix Workspace > Client Engine.

3. Select Desktop Viewer Toolbar Options policy.

   

4. Select Enabled to enable the Desktop Viewer Toolbar options.
5. Select Connection Strength Indicator from the Options section to display the Connection Strength Indicator on the Desktop Viewer Toolbar.

After enabling the feature, when you open the session, you can see the Connection icon on the Desktop Viewer toolbar:

The connection strength indicator on the Desktop Viewer toolbar provides users with immediate feedback on their network connectivity and offers detailed real-time stats for enhanced troubleshooting. This feature aims to improve user experience and reduce the time spent on resolving connectivity issues.

Note:

Technical previews are available for customers to test in their non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for feature previews but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might or might not act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance. It is advised that Beta builds aren’t deployed in production environments.

You can provide feedback for this feature using this Feedback form

Enable Packet Loss Concealment to improve audio performance (Technical Preview)

Starting with the 2409 version, Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) is added for both Adaptive audio and Medium audio quality. PLC effectively manages short periods of packet loss and disruptions by intelligently reconstructing speech from previous samples, thus preventing noticeable degradation in audio and call quality.

Settings

• PLC is disabled by default for audio playback on the client.
• PLC is disabled by default for audio recording on the VDA.

To enable PLC, you must enable Loss tolerant mode for audio. Also, do the following on the client to enable the feature for audio playback:

1. Navigate to the following registry entry as an administrator:

   Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Citrix\ICAClient\Engine\Configuration\Advanced\Modules\ClientAudio

2. Set the EnablePLC value to 1.
3. Restart Citrix Workspace app to apply the new settings.

Note:

Technical previews are available for customers to test in their non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for feature previews but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might or might not act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance. It is advised that Beta builds aren’t deployed in production environments.

You can provide feedback for this feature using this Feedback form.

Deprecation of HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Skype for Business

Starting from the 2409 release, support for HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Skype for Business is deprecated. As an alternative, you can use HDX WebRTC Optimization for supported applications.

Citrix Enterprise Browser

This release includes Citrix Enterprise Browser version 128.1.1.38, based on Chromium version 128. For more information about the Citrix Enterprise Browser, see the Citrix Enterprise Browser documentation.

Fixed issues

• After enabling device posture, you might be prompted for authentication during each periodic refresh until you successfully authenticate. [CVADHELP-26014]
• You might notice that the audio device was not recognized if unplugged and replugged during VDA session, requiring client reconnect for the device to be recognized. [CVADHELP-26125]
• After upgrading to Citrix Workspace app for Windows 2402, the default audio and communication devices might not work as expected. [CVADHELP-26044]
• When moving an application window between monitors with different DPI values, you might experience double scaling or descaling, which can cause the published app to display black screens and graphical artifacts. [CVADHELP-26024]
• The wfica32.exe process might exit unexpectedly and might cause session disconnections. [CVADHELP-26012]
• You might notice that the first copy operation fails, requiring you to copy twice during the ICA session when using Citrix Workspace app for Windows version 2405.10. This issue occurs when the Client clipboard write allowed formats policy is configured in conjunction with Restrict client clipboard write. This issue occurs on the Citrix Workspace app for Windows version 2405.10. [CVADHELP-26224]
• You might fail to scan from published apps and desktops when using Citrix Workspace app 2405.10. [CVADHELP-26390]
• The URL of the DNS request made by the client is truncated and you might fail to open virtual apps and desktops. This issue occurs when the DnsResolutionEnabled parameter is set to True in DDC. [CVADHELP-24945]
• You might notice that the published apps and desktops are opening from the untrusted sites even though the Enforce trusted server connections feature is configured. [CVADHELP-25346]
• When you use published apps and desktops, you might experience that the session stops responding followed up by the Citrix HDX error. [CVADHELP-26118]
• The wfica32.exe process might exit unexpectedly. This issue occurs randomly on the Citrix Workspace app for Windows versions 2402.1 to 2405.1. [CVADHELP-26234]
• The ADDLOCAL command to install the EPA client might fail. [CVADHELP-26132]
• As part of periodic polling or network refresh, when enabling or disabling a published resource in Citrix Studio, the SelfService UI does not refresh as expected. As a result, you might notice inconsistencies between the actual state and the displayed state of the published resources. [CVADHELP-26065]
• You might fail to customize Citrix Workspace app using App Personalization service. This issue occurs in Citrix Workspace app version 2405 or later. [RFWIN-36015]
• You might fail to sign in to Citrix Workspace with Workspace Environment Management (WEM) tool hub when you use Active Directory and token for authentication. [CVADHELP-25836] [RFWIN-35974]
• When Plug and Play (PnP) is enabled, you might fail to switch webcam from the apps that shows only one camera with a generic name “Citrix HDX Web Camera.” [HDX-69731]
• When a new user starts the virtual desktop for the first time, the session window might appear small. Also, the window might be placed in the upper left of the screen. The issue is observed on certain display devices with high DPI, such as Microsoft Surface Pro.[HDX-62297]

Known issues

• You might fail to access the store URL using the Self-Service Plugin (SSP) when connected through Windows Server 2016. [RFWIN-36374]
• When the device sharing system audio is removed while sound is being played, and the audio switches to a device with a different audio format, the system audio is not heard by the other user. As a workaround, reshare audio. [HDX-70936]
• The UpdaterService.exe might initiate during the installation process when the required .NET files are missing from the system. Consequently, this might cause the installation of Citrix Workspace app to become stuck, as the UpdaterService.exe fails to proceed. As a workaround, install .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0 or later and then retry the installation [RFWIN-36230]

• You might get the following error message while updating Citrix Workspace app from any lower version to 2409 using the /CleanInstall command when App Protection is running in active mode:

  

  To resolve this error, uninstall Citrix Workspace app, reboot the machine, and then reinstall using the /CleanInstall command. [APPP-3818]