Using Remote Desktop Connection with RemoteApp Programs

To use RemoteApp programs requires that RDC 6.0 be installed on the client computer. This is automatically done with Windows Vista Business and Ultimate and Windows Server 2008. In Vista it is also automatically enabled and ready for use. In Server 2008 it must be enabled, which is automatically done when you install TS, and can be manually done in the Initial Configuration Tasks window or in the Server Manager, Server Summary section. An earlier Note explained how to get RDC 6.0 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

With RemoteApp programs, RDC is only tangentially used; you'll see it on startup of the RemoteApp program, but then it is gone.

Using an .rdp File

An .rdp file is in a sense a shortcut to a remote program on a terminal server. Its use is very simple. When it is made available to the client in any of the ways mentioned in "Distribute a RemoteApp Program," the client should:

1. Drag the .rdp file to his or her desktop if it isn't already there.
2. Start the program by double-clicking it. Enter a username and enter a password that has been registered on the server. Click OK.
3. Verify that the server is trusted, make any desired changes to the list of the local devices that are available, and click Yes. The Remote Desktop Connection window will open.
4. Log onto the terminal server with the same username and password entered earlier. The RDC window will close and the remote program window will open. The client can use the program as if it were running on her or his computer.
5. Close the program to disconnect or log off from the terminal server.

Using an .msi Package

An .msi file is an installer package that will install the link to the RemoteApp program on the client computer. Once the link is installed, there is an option on the Start menu to the remote program on a terminal server. When the .msi package is made available to the client in any of the ways mentioned in "Distribute a RemoteApp Program," the client should:

1. Drag the .msi package to his or her desktop if it isn't already there.
2. Double-click the .msi package to begin the installation. Several dialog boxes will appear giving you the status of the installation and you will be asked if you will allow the installation to take place. Click Allow.
3. Start the program by clicking Start | All Programs. Scroll down to and click Remote Programs, and then click the remote program to be run. Select a username and enter a password that has been registered on the server. Click OK.
4. Verify that the server is trusted, make any desired changes to the list of the local devices that are available, and click Yes. The RDC window will open.
5. Log onto the terminal server with the same username and password entered earlier. You will be asked if you will allow the installation to take place.
6. Click Allow. The RDC window will close and the remote program window will open. The client can use the program as if it were running on her or his computer.
7. Close the program to disconnect or log off from the terminal server.

TIP: You can place a shortcut to the program installed with the .msi package on the desktop by opening the Windows Explorer, opening C:\Program Files\Remote Packages\, right-clicking the program, and clicking Send To | Desktop (Create Shortcut).