VDI Applications

Overview

VDI Applications (VDI Apps) are shortcut applications that can be used to launch an RDP session for Windows VDI Desktops into a particular application. They leverage Guacamole’s remote-app property to open a specific application rather than a full desktop session.

VDI Apps are managed from Tools > VDI Pools > Apps tab and are consumed by users within the Virtual Desktop Persona.

Note

VDI Apps require the services-vdi-pools Role permission (Read or Full).

Creating a VDI App

  1. Navigate to Tools > VDI Pools

  2. Select the Apps tab

  3. Click + ADD

  4. Configure the following:

    NAME

    Display name for the application (shown to end users in the Virtual Desktop Persona)

    DESCRIPTION

    Optional description of the application

    LAUNCH PREFIX

    The RemoteApp program identifier. This must start with || followed by the application executable name.

    Examples:

    • ||notepad — Launches Notepad

    • ||mstsc — Launches Remote Desktop Connection

    • ||winword — Launches Microsoft Word

    • ||excel — Launches Microsoft Excel

    • ||chrome — Launches Google Chrome

    LOGO

    Upload a custom icon for the application. Supported formats: PNG, JPEG, SVG. The image is displayed at multiple resolutions (20x20, 42x42, 84x84 for HiDPI).

  5. Click SAVE

Important

The Launch Prefix must begin with || (double pipe). This is the RemoteApp protocol prefix required by Guacamole. Entries without this prefix will fail validation.

Editing a VDI App

  1. Navigate to Tools > VDI Pools > Apps

  2. Click on the App name or select the edit action

  3. Modify fields as needed

  4. Click SAVE

Deleting a VDI App

  1. Navigate to Tools > VDI Pools > Apps

  2. Select the App to delete

  3. Click DELETE

  4. Confirm deletion

Using VDI Apps

End users access VDI Apps through the Virtual Desktop Persona:

  1. User logs into HPE Morpheus Software and switches to the Virtual Desktop Persona

  2. Available VDI Apps are displayed with their configured icons

  3. Clicking an App icon launches an RDP session directly into the specified application

  4. The session connects to an available VDI Pool allocation and opens the RemoteApp

VDI Apps work in conjunction with VDI Pools:

  • The App defines what application to open

  • The Pool provides where (which VM) the application runs

  • Allocations manage which user gets which VM

Requirements for RemoteApp

For VDI Apps to function correctly, the Windows VDI template must be configured for RemoteApp:

  1. The target application must be installed on the VDI template/image

  2. The application must be registered as a RemoteApp program on the Windows host

  3. The RDP configuration must allow RemoteApp connections

To register an application as a RemoteApp on Windows Server:

# Add a RemoteApp program
New-RDRemoteApp -CollectionName "VDI" -DisplayName "Notepad" -FilePath "C:\Windows\notepad.exe"

For Windows 10/11 desktops, configure via Group Policy or registry:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Terminal Server\TSAppAllowList

API Reference

VDI Apps are also manageable via the HPE Morpheus Software API:

  • GET /api/vdi-apps — List all VDI Apps

  • GET /api/vdi-apps/:id — Get a specific VDI App

  • POST /api/vdi-apps — Create a VDI App

  • PUT /api/vdi-apps/:id — Update a VDI App

  • DELETE /api/vdi-apps/:id — Delete a VDI App