XenApp and XenDesktop

Bidirectional content redirection

February 4, 2022

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Bidirectional content redirection allows HTTP or HTTPS URLs in web browsers, or embedded into applications, to be forwarded between the Citrix VDA session and the client endpoint in both directions. A URL entered in a browser running in the Citrix session can be opened using the client’s default browser. Conversely, a URL entered in a browser running on the client can be opened in a Citrix session, either with a published application or desktop. Some common use cases for bidirectional content redirection include:

Redirection of web URLs in cases where the starting browser does not have network access to the source.
Redirection of web URLs for browser compatibility and security reasons.
Redirection of web URLs embedded in applications when running a web browser on the Citrix session or the client isn’t wanted.

System requirements

Desktop OS or Server OS VDAs
Citrix Workspace app for Windows
Internet Explorer 11

Configuration

Bidirectional content redirection must be enabled using the Citrix policy on both the VDA and client for redirection to work. Bidirectional content redirection is disabled by default.

For VDA configuration, see Bidirectional content redirection in the ICA policy settings.

For client configuration, see Bidirectional content redirection in the Citrix Workspace app for Windows documentation.

The browser extension must be registered using the commands shown. Run the commands as needed on the VDA and client.

To register the browser extension on the VDA, open a command prompt. Then, run %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Citrix\HDX\bin\vdaredirector.exe with the required browser option as shown in the example:

%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Citrix\HDX\bin\vdaredirector.exe /regIE

To unregister the browser extension use the /unregIE option as in the example shown:

%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Citrix\HDX\bin\vdaredirector.exe /unregIE

To register the browser extension on the client open a command prompt and run %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Citrix\ICA Client\redirector.exe with the same options as the examples shown.

Other considerations

Browser requirements and configurations are only applicable to the browser starting the redirection. The destination browser, where the URL opens after redirection is successful, isn’t considered for support. When redirecting URLs from the VDA to a client, a supported browser configuration is only required on the VDA. Conversely, when redirecting URLs from the client to a VDA, a supported browser configuration is only required on the client. Redirected URLs are handed off to the default browser configured on the destination machine, either the client or the VDA, depending on direction. Using the same browser type on the VDA and the client is NOT required.
Check that redirection rules do not result in a looping configuration. For example, a VDA policy is set to redirect https://www.citrix.com, and the client policy is set to redirect the same URL, resulting in infinite looping.
Only HTTP/HTTPS protocol URLs are supported. URL shorteners aren’t supported.
Client to VDA redirection requires the Windows client to be installed with administrator rights.
If the destination browser is already open, the redirected URL opens in a new tab. Otherwise the URL opens in a new browser window.
Bidirectional content redirection does not work when Local App Access (LAA) is enabled.

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Bidirectional content redirection

February 4, 2022

Contributed by:

February 4, 2022

Contributed by:

Bidirectional content redirection

System requirements

Configuration

Other considerations

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