Testing a RemoteApp using mstsc.exe / Remote Desktop Connection

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Resolution

Verify that the RemoteApp is published correctly and that you can start the RemoteApp via mstsc.exe client.


 

Windows 10 and more recent versions:

  1. Log into a regular Microsoft Windows OS (it does not need to be a server edition).
  2. Run mstsc.exe (or search for Remote Desktop Connection and start this application).
  3. For "Computer": fill in the IP or FQDN of the RemoteApp server.
  4. Click "Show Options".
  5. Under "Connection settings", choose "Save as" and save the RDP session settings to a .RDP file.
  6. Open the file with any text editor (for example NotePad) and find this line:
    alternate shell:s:
  7. Complete this command with the following:

    When using simple RDP (not a RemoteApp):
    alternate shell:s:C:\windows\notepad.exe


    When using RemoteApp:
    ||<RemoteAPP Alias>

    For example:
    alternate shell:s:||notepad
    remoteapplicationmode:i:1
    remoteapplicationprogram:s:||notepad
    remoteapplicationname:s:Notepad
    remoteapplicationcmdline:s:




    Note that for the alternate shell, the RD Session Host role needs to be installed in the Microsoft Windows Server.

  8. When using a Remote Desktop Connection broker: Also add or update the two settings below.
    Replace "COLLECTIONNAME" with the name of your collection.
    use redirection server name:i:1
    loadbalanceinfo:s:tsv://MS Terminal Services Plugin.1.COLLECTIONNAME

  9. Save the file.
  10. Switch to mstsc.exe again to open this .RDP file.
  11. Click [Connect], and fill in the user credentials. The specified RemoteApp should start.

 

 

Only if you are using a Windows version that is older than Windows 8:

  1. Log into a regular Microsoft Windows OS (it does not need to be a server edition).
  2. Run mstsc.exe (or search for Remote Desktop Connection and start this application).
  3. For "Computer": fill in the IP or FQDN of the RemoteApp server.
  4. Click "Show Options" and choose the "Programs" tab.
  5. Click the checkbox "Start the following program on connection":
  6. Insert the RemoteApp alias, preceded with “||”, for example to start Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, use the following parameters:
    ||WINWORD
    ||EXCEL
  7. Click [Connect].
  8. Once logged in the app should start.

 

   

 

In case the RemoteApp won’t start:

 

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