Draining Users from VDI Machine


Living in a very cold climate used to limit my ability to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. But about a year ago, I decided to try my hand at indoor hydroponic gardening. I’ve had quite a few successes and many, many failures. But I’m getting to the point where I’m harvesting a good number of… Continue reading Draining Users from VDI Machine

Considerations for Cloud Desktops – Skillset


Many moons ago when I first got my driver’s license, I remember driving down the road in the small town I grew up in. All of the sudden, the engine dies. Luckily, I was able to coast into a parking lot. I parked the car and popped the hood. I’m not sure what I expected… Continue reading Considerations for Cloud Desktops – Skillset

VDI Deployment Options


I enjoy having choices. I like having choices between Hefeweizen, Amber and Pale Ales. I like having a choice between playing Fallout, Mass Effect and Lego Star Wars. I like having a choice between mountain biking, tennis or hiking (yes, you can do all of these in the winter in Minnesota). I also have a… Continue reading VDI Deployment Options

SaaS and Web Apps in StoreFront


In a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops deployment, many organizations use StoreFront to provide access to Windows and Linux applications and desktops.  A lesser know feature, published content, can let StoreFront publish links to SaaS and web applications in an attempt to bring all resources together into a single view. (I see the differences between… Continue reading SaaS and Web Apps in StoreFront

Citrix VDI Handbook for XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15


Almost one year ago, I announced the availability of the Citrix VDI Best Practices Handbook for XenApp and XenDesktop 7.6 (that’s a really long title). Since then, I received many positive comments from many of you. Thank you. One of the goals I set was to release an updated version of the handbook for upcoming… Continue reading Citrix VDI Handbook for XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15

Sync the Windows 10 Start Menu in VDI


NOTE: This is for Windows 10 builds before 1703.  Windows 10 1703 changes the storage location for the Start Menu. Learn more here Windows 10 VDI. Of course it works. But one of the annoying things that really bothers me is not being able to customize my start menu. My IT team created a standard… Continue reading Sync the Windows 10 Start Menu in VDI

Optimize VDI: Windows 10 User Interface and Runtime (Original, Anniversary and Creator Updates)


This is a multi-part blog series focused on optimizing Windows 10 VDI Part 1: Optimizing default apps Part 2: Optimizing Windows services Part 3: Optimizing scheduled tasks As we saw in previous blogs, Microsoft added new default apps, services and scheduled tasks into the base operating system of the Windows 10 Build 1703 (Creator Update).… Continue reading Optimize VDI: Windows 10 User Interface and Runtime (Original, Anniversary and Creator Updates)

Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Scheduled Tasks


This is a multi-part blog series focused on optimizing Windows 10 VDI Part 1: Optimizing default apps Part 2: Optimizing Windows services Part 3: Optimizing scheduled tasks As we saw in previous blogs, Microsoft added new default apps and services into the base operating system of the Windows 10 Build 1703 (Creator Update). These updates… Continue reading Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Scheduled Tasks

Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Services


This is a multi-part blog series focused on optimizing Windows 10 VDI Part 1: Optimizing default apps Part 2: Optimizing Windows services Part 3: Optimizing scheduled tasks As we saw in a previous blog, Microsoft added new default apps into the base operating system with each major release of Windows 10. These updates will have… Continue reading Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Services

Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Default Apps


This is a multi-part blog series focused on optimizing Windows 10 VDI Part 1: Optimizing default apps Part 2: Optimizing Windows services Part 3: Optimizing scheduled tasks Roughly every 6 months, Microsoft releases a new major update to Windows 10. Microsoft continues to add new capabilities into the base operating system that will have an… Continue reading Optimize VDI: Windows 10 Default Apps