Windows 7 / Networking

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Distribute a RemoteApp Program

Once you have identified a RemoteApp, the RemoteApp Manager provides two ways to package and deliver the program to a remote user:

• Create a Remote Desktop Protocol (.rdp) file that the user can place on her or his desktop and double-click to remotely run the program.
• Create a Windows Installer package (.msi) that the user can put in his or her Start menu or on her or his desktop and click or double-click to remotely run the program.

TIP: There is a third way to access a RemoteApp program through TS Web Access that will be discussed later in this tutorial.

NOTE: For a remote client to use a RemoteApp program, the client must be running Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) 6.0, which is included in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. RDC 6.0 is also available for download from Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1 or SP2. Go to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/925876.

Create an .rdp File

A Remote Desktop Protocol file is a small program that, when double-clicked, will contact the terminal server and start the program it belongs to on the remote client's desktop, although the program will actually be running in the server.

1. In TS RemoteApp Manager (see "Manage TS RemoteApp" earlier for opening), click the program, or hold ctrl and click several programs. (If you select several programs, a separate .rdp file is created, but the settings will be the same for all programs selected at the same time.) Click Create .rdp Files in the Actions pane.
2. In the RemoteApp Wizard, click Next. Accept the default location in which to save the file, or browse to a different folder. Make any other changes to the setting that you want (these settings are the same as those that were set in the TS RemoteApp Manager) and click Next.
3. Review the settings that will be used to create the .rdp file. If you want to change anything, click Back. When you are ready, click Finish. The Windows Explorer will open and show you the program in the folder you choose.
4. Close the Windows Explorer.

Create an .msi Package

A Microsoft Windows Installer package will install itself on the client's computer such that when it is clicked in the Start menu or double-clicked on the desktop, it will contact the terminal server and start the program it belongs to on the remote client's desktop, although the program will actually be running in the server.

1. In TS RemoteApp Manager (see "Manage TS RemoteApp" earlier for opening), click the program, or hold ctrl and click several programs. (If you select several programs, a separate .msi package is created, but the settings will be the same for all programs selected at the same time.) Click Create Windows Installer Packages in the Actions pane.
2. In the RemoteApp Wizard that opens, click Next. Accept the default location in which to save the file, or browse to a different folder. Make any other changes to the setting that you want (these settings are the same as those that were set in the TS RemoteApp Manager) and click Next.
3. In Configure Distribution Package, determine where the .msi shortcut appears on the client machine, Desktop, or Start menu, and click Next.
4. Review the settings that will be used to create the .msi package. If you want to change anything, click Back. When you are ready, click Finish. The Windows Explorer will open and show you the program in the folder you choose.
5. Close the Windows Explorer.

Distribute a RemoteApp Program

After creating either an .msi package or an .rdp file, you can distribute them by doing any of the following:

• Put the files in a shared folder on the server and have the client copy them to his or her computer.
• Put the files on a CD and have the CD automatically start the .msi package or have the client copy them from the CD to her or his computer.
• Use an existing software distribution process such as Microsoft System Management Server.
• For the .msi package you can also use Active Directory Group Policy.

You can export and import RemoteApp programs and settings both to another terminal server and to a file using the Export RemoteApp Settings and Import RemoteApp Settings in the Actions pane of the TS RemoteApp Manager. Also, you can change the properties and remove a RemoteApp program by right-clicking it in the RemoteApp Programs list and clicking either Properties or Remove.