Publish remote applications to users

Users are often moved to a cloud environment because one application no longer runs locally. However, there are great cost savings to be had by simply running one or more applications remotely. This guide walks you through the how's and why’s of setting-up an AVD host Pool with remote applications.

You can use Nerdio Manager to easily publish applications (RemoteApps) within Azure Virtual Desktop. These applications may be restricted by application groups, if required, allowing administrators to publish different apps to different users from the same host pool.

What are Remote Applications?

Like the name suggests, RemoteApps are applications that are run remotely. However, despite what some people may think, remote apps require a multi-session AVD host to be able to utilize the application remotely. You install your applications just like you would with a traditional Remote Desktop solution. However, when you go to publish the application for remote users, you can choose which apps the user has access to. This is handled by Application Groups.

Why RemoteApps?

RemoteApps are less resource-intensive than a full desktop experience, allowing you to have more users on a given host, thereby reducing costs.

What are Application Groups?

In Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), application groups define what users can access, either a full desktop or specific apps, within a host pool. Users can be assigned to multiple application groups across different host pools for flexible access.

There are the following types:

• Desktop: Gives access to a full Windows desktop (pooled or personal host pools).

• RemoteApp: Provides access to selected apps (pooled host pools only).

You can assign both types to the same pooled host pool, but only one Desktop group per pool. Multiple RemoteApp groups can be assigned, and users see all apps from those groups.

If a user is assigned both Desktop and RemoteApp in the same pool, they’ll only see the preferred application group type, based on the pool's settings.

See What are AVD application groups? for a more detailed breakdown, including common use cases and configuration tips.

Configure your host pool

As mentioned previously, you need a multi-user host pool to utilize Remote Applications. Ideally, you should create a new host pool. See Create a Host Pool for details. However, if you already have an existing host pool, you can easily add a RemoteApp Group and/or switch to a RemoteApp group. See What are AVD application groups? for details.

Provision your Desktop Image and Host(s)

Now that you have your host pool, you need to create or update your desktop image and then deploy it to your host pool. SeeUpdate a desktop image and hosts for details.

Add application groups to host pools

Application Groups allow the assignment of users and groups to desktops and RemoteApps. This helps simplify application management because applications can be managed by app groups instead of individual users.

To add an app group to a host pool:

1. At the Account level, navigate to AVD > Host Pools.

2. Select the host pool you want to work with. This is a host pool configured for the Multi user RemoteApp (pooled) desktop experience.

3. From the action menu, select Manage > App groups.

4. Enter the following information:

   

   • RemoteApp app groups: Type the name(s) of the app groups for RemoteApps.

     Note: A host pool may have multiple RemoteApp app groups.

   • Desktop app group: Type the name of the Desktop app group.

     Note: A host pool may only have one Desktop app group.

5. Once you have entered the desired information, select OK.

Add remote applications to App Groups

Once you have added App Groups to the host pool, you can add RemoteApps to the App Groups.

To add remote applications to an App Group:

1. At the Account level, navigate to AVD > Host Pools.

2. Select the host pool you want to work with.

3. From the action menu, select Manage > RemoteApps.

4. In the App group drop-down, select the desired app group to work with.

5. Select Add RemoteApp.

   

6. Enter the following information:

   • Application: From the drop-down list, select the application.

   • Name: Type the name of the RemoteApp.

     Note: The Name is visible to the user unless overridden by the Friendly Name.

   • Friendly Name: Optionally, type the friendly name that is visible to the user.

   • Description: Type the description that is visible to the admin.

   • File Path: Type the path to the application executable on the session host.

   • Icon Path: Optionally, type the path to an icon file to be used for this RemoteApp when it appears in the user's Remote Desktop feed.

   • Icon Index: Optionally, type the numeric icon index in the icon file.

   • Command Line Setting: Select this option to require a command line setting.

   • Command Line: Type the command line to pass to the executable when launching the RemoteApp.

7. Once you have entered the desired information, select OK.