Citrix Workspace web extension
Citrix Workspace web extension establishes a secure and reliable connection between Citrix Workspace web client and locally installed Citrix Workspace app. It streamlines the opening of apps and desktops from the web client to the native app, which uses HDX protocol. When you access the web client and open any apps or desktops after installing this extension on your browser, the extension opens the app or desktop from your native Citrix Workspace app.
The web extension offers various benefits such as seamless opening of desktop and apps, service continuity, supports App Protection service etc. For more information on the benefits of the web extension, see Benefits of Citrix Workspace web extension.
Note:
Users need to have the Citrix Workspace app client natively installed on their device for this extension to work. To download Citrix Workspace app, visit the Citrix Downloads page.
The Citrix Workspace web extension is supported on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari browsers. The extension is available for both cloud and on-premises stores.
For more information on the installation of the web extension, see Citrix Workspace web extensions on StoreFront.
Supported Browsers
| Browser name | Operating system | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Citrix Enterprise Browser | Windows, Mac | Latest browser version is supported |
| Google Chrome | Windows | Latest browser version is supported |
| Microsoft Edge | Windows | Latest browser version is supported |
| Apple Safari | Mac | Latest browser version is supported |
Supported versions of Citrix Workspace and StoreFront
Citrix Workspace web extension is always available for use with Citrix Workspace without requiring any additional configuration.
To use the Citrix Workspace web extension with StoreFront, StoreFront 2203 CU2 or higher is required.
For StoreFront versions earlier than 2402, Citrix Workspace web extension is disabled by default and you must enable it manually.
For StoreFront version 2402, Citrix Workspace web extensions is enabled by default for new deployments but you must manually enable it when upgrading from a previous version.
For StoreFront 2407 and later, Citrix Workspace web extension is enabled by default and hence you don’t need to do any configuration.
For more information about enabling use of Citrix Workspace web extensions in StoreFront, see Citrix Workspace web extensions on StoreFront.
Benefits of Citrix Workspace web extension
The web extension enhances the reliability and security of hybrid deployments. It comes with the following built-in features.
Seamless opening of desktops and apps
Normally, the Citrix Workspace web client uses Citrix Workspace launcher to detect the locally installed Citrix Workspace app and opens apps in-memory. However, depending on the browser, the user might need to click through a pop-up on every launch. The Workspace web extension allows the web client to seamlessly opens desktops and apps with no browser pop-ups.The Citrix Workspace web client can leverage the extension’s functionality to open apps and desktops in native Citrix Workspace app without verifying through client detection whether the Citrix Workspace app is installed locally. This provides a more seamless experience for users in opening apps or desktops as the client detection step is bypassed.
More reliable launches for StoreFront GSLB deployments
When using multiple StoreFront deployments behind a Global Server Load Balancer (GSLB), the responses might be directed to the wrong server, leading to failures in opening apps and desktops. This can be mitigated through GSLB configuration but it is complex to configure. Citrix Workspace web extension allows for reliable client detection and opening of apps and desktops with no special configuration for GSLB deployments.
Service Continuity for Workspace
If a user is unable to sign in to their Workspace, Service Continuity enables them to open their resources in offline mode. For more information, see Service Continuity.
When accessing the Workspace web client, users must install Citrix Workspace web extension to enable service continuity. During the initial sign in, the extension stores connection leases. Subsequently, if sign-in fails after 60 seconds, the web extension displays a prompt to use Offline Mode.
Users can continue their work without losing their data, enhancing work productivity. Once connectivity is restored, users can click Reconnect to Workspace to switch to online mode.
Note:
This functionality applies only when using Workspace, not StoreFront.
This new offline mode prompt is applicable only to Chrome and Edge browsers. For Safari browser, the old prompt remains unchanged.
App Protection for Workspace
When using Workspace, the web extension allows users to view and open apps that have App Protection enabled. This feature prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information from apps by protecting users from keylogging, screen capturing, and other security threats.
For more information, see App Protection.
Note:
Unlike Workspace, StoreFront doesn’t require Workspace web extensions for App Protection. For more information, see StoreFront documentation.
Install Citrix Workspace web extension
For more information on the installation of the web extension, see Citrix Workspace web extension.
Reference articles
- Citrix Workspace web extensions on StoreFront
- Citrix Workspace product documentation
- Citrix Workspace app product documentation
- Support for browser extensions on Citrix Enterprise Browser
- Get secure, reliable access to Citrix Workspace through Citrix Workspace browser extension
- Service Continuity - Citrix Workspace with DaaS Deployments