Testing a RemoteApp using mstsc.exe / Remote Desktop Connection

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:

• Verify the alias for the RemoteApp is correct.
• Verify the RemoteApp configuration and parameters settings.