Installing or Upgrading Citrix Workspace App
Modified on: Wed, 16 Oct 2024 3:10 PMIntroduction
This document will explain how to install the Citrix WorkspaceApp application.
Applicability
For anyone installing the Citrix Workspace App.
Details
In order to connect to a Citrix session (VCS), the Citrix Workspace App client needs to be installed on your system. Like most software this client software gets updated over time, and if not kept up to date, may fail to connect to Citrix sessions as VCS system upgrades are done. Due to the vast amount of different configurations and system types out there, there are a number of different scenarios for getting Workspace App working properly if it no longer works. This client software is installed on whatever physical device you use to connect to VCS.
Windows: Windows has two versions of Workspace App available (1) Long Term Service Release (LTSR) and (2) Current Release. IST always recommends using a LTSR version of Workspace App, as they are generally more stable. IST always provides LTSR versions.
Mac: Mac has only one stream, so as long as the operating system is kept current, then it is recommended to keep Workspace App up to date with the latest version.
Here are the common ways of installing Citrix Workspace App:
- Pre-installed (Automated install) - Any machine deployed by IST comes with Citrix Workspace App pre-installed by default. Updates are automatically applied by IST as long as the device is reachable by management tools, and the machine is in a healthy state/powered on, etc
- MECM Software Center (Partial Automated install) - This method is for machines on campus and that were originally deployed by IST. An application called Software Center is available in the Start Menu, and the latest version of Citrix Workspace App is available to install or upgrade (if previous version exists)
- From the VCS Web Portal (Manual Install) - When you visit the VCS Web Portal (https://vcs.med.ualberta.ca) and sign in. Your browser will run a check on your system to see if Citrix Workspace App is already installed. If not, it will download the installer, which can be installed manually.
- From the VCS Downloads & Plugins Knowledge Base Article (Manual Install) - A KB article with all current recommended versions of Workspace App are available at: https://universityofalberta.freshservice.com/support/solutions/articles/19000109323 which can then be manually installed. Additionally, some older versions are available to download for older Operating Systems.
- Direct from Citrix's website (Manual Install) - While generally recommended as the last option due to many different versions available to choose from. If necessary you can get it direct from the vendor at: https://www.citrix.com/downloads/workspace-app/
Contents
Installing/Upgrading from MECM Software Center
- Opening and running Software Center
Installing/Upgrading from the VCS Web portal
- Downloading the Workspace App from the VCS web portal
- Upgrading an existing installation of Workspace App from the VCS web portal
Manual Install Instructions
- Installing Workspace App on Windows
- Installing Workspace App on Mac
Checking the version of an existing Workspace App installation
- For Windows 10
- For Windows 11
Back up/Fallback Options
- Workspace App for HTML5
Troubleshooting
- System Requirements
- Advanced installation commands & methods
- Troubleshooting
Installing/Upgrading from MECM Software Center
1. If this is a managed computer provided by IST, and the device is on campus, then you should be able to use Software Center to install or upgrade Citrix Workspace App.
2. As shown, you can find the latest recommended version of Workspace App, and the Citrix Cleanup utility if necessary.
3. By clicking on Install, it will detect if any existing versions are already installed, and upgrade them, otherwise will perform a brand new install.
Downloading Citrix Workspace App from the VCS web portal
- Browse to the VCS website https://vcs.med.ualberta.ca and authenticate with your username and password for VCS.
- Click the Detect Receiver to have the VCS website check if Citrix Workspace App is installed (Tip: WorkspaceApp used to be called Citrix Receiver).
- Check the box to agree with the Citrix License Agreement, then click Download. (if you know that Workspace App is already installed, you can click below on Already installed
- The WorkSpace App installer will download, in the case of using Google Chrome, it will show up in the downloads bar at the bottom. Other browsers may vary.
Upgrade an existing installation from the VCS web portal
- If an upgrade is availalble from the website, you may be presented with the following screen when you sign into VCS.
- The website will state that it found an upgrade, click on the check box for I agree with the Citrix license agreement. Then click Download.
- The Citrix Workspace App will download through the typical download mechanism your chosen browser uses. In this case, Google Chrome is used, and shows on the download bar. At this point do not click Continue yet.
- Start the installation of the new version of Workspace App as you would if you were installing for the first time. You can find specific instructions in section 1 of this document.
- Once the installation is completed. You may then click on the blue continue button on the VCS website to take you to the vitual desktop selection screen.
Windows Installation
- Run the Citrix WorkspaceApp installer. Click Start to begin.
- Accept the EULA, and click Next.
- Do not click any option, except Microsoft Teams VDI Plugin if you plan to use Teams within VCS. Teams is not widely used across the University, so it may generally is not required. However installing it if you are unsure doesn't hurt either. Click Install to begin.
- The installer begins to install.
- Once completed, you should see the following screen. This is where Citrix Workspace App can be closed. Entering a Store RUL or email address is not used.
- You may be prompted to reboot your computer after installation, it is generally recommended to do so.
- You may see a prompt asking permission for the VCS website to open the Citrix Workspace App, click the checkmark to not prompt again, and click Open Citrix Workspace Launcher
- You’ll be directed to the desktop selection screen, where you may choose a virtual desktop to launch. Most users will only see one or two desktops to launch.
macOS Installation
- Run the Citrix WorkspaceApp installer, CitrixWorkspaceApp.dmg, from your Downloads folder. Click Install Citrix Workspace to begin.
- At the screen shown below click Allow.
- Click Continue.
- Click Continue.
- Click Agree to accept the license agreement.
- Click Install.
- Enter the password you use to sign into your Mac.
- Citrix Workspace will install.
- Leave Add Account unchecked and click Continue.
- When the install is complete click Close.
- Click Move to Trash.
Checking the version of an existing Workspace App installation
Option 1:
1. Right click on the Start menu of your physical desktop. Then choose Installed apps. This might also say Apps & Features.
2. Scroll to find Citrix Workspace App, you may need to click on it to expand and show the version (applies to Windows 10).
On Windows 11, it shows without having to expand the item.
Option 2:
Click on the carat icon in the system tray, and find the Citrix Workspace App icon.
Right click on it, and select Advanced Preferences
The version will be shown at the bottom
Workspace App for HTML5
If installing Citrix Workspace App is not an option, or if installing Workspace App is failing. Then an back up/fallback method for access a virtual desktop in VCS is by using HTML5 within a web browser. While this option is available, it is still recommended to use a locally installed Citrix Workspace App client for best performance, peripheral support, and integration with other services.
Tip: HTML5 Citrix Workspace App should be avoided if you use VCS to access Connect Care as certain features may not work within Connect Care.
1. After logging into VCS, and when the Workspace App detection screen shows up, you should see the option to "Use light version".
2. Select the virtual desktop you would normally connect to
3. The virtual desktop is now running inside a web browser tab. The Citrix toolbar is still available, but looks slightly different.
4. Full screen and multi monitor support are available if desired.
Troubleshooting
As of Oct 2, 2024, the system requirements for Citrix Workspace App are:
If your system does not meet the minimum system requirements, older versions of Workspace App are available from the VCS Downloads & Plugins KB, which lists the compatible versions.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the x86 version of .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.6 or later is required for Workspace App. These components are installed alongside Workspace app if they are not present on the system. However if they are not present on the system, then Workspace App needs to be installed with administrator privileges
Optional Command Line parameters
This will configure WorkspaceApp to only check for updates for the LTSR stream after installation.
This will tell WorkspaceApp to do a cleanup of the configuration & personalization files, and install 100% clean.
Administrator vs non-administrator installs
Non-administrator – If a non-administrator installs Workspace App , then each non-administrator that logs in to the same workstation will have to reinstall Workspace App.
Non-administrator installations are installed to %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Citrix\ICA Client for each user. Please note that if .NET Framework 4.8 and .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.6 are not installed already, then non-administrator installation of Workspace App will fail. Please see System Requirements above for more detail.
Administrator – If CitrixWorkspaceApp.exe is installed using an administrator account. then the Workspace App only needs to be installed once.
Administrator installations are installed to C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client.
Administrator installations of Workspace app 1912 and newer can be manually upgraded by non-administrators by clicking Check for Updates. Older versions cannot be upgraded by non-administrators.
Conflicts – If an administrator install of Workspace App is performed on a machine that has existing non-administrator installs of Workspace App, then the two installations will conflict. The best option is to uninstall the non-admin Workspace App before installing admin Workspace App. Otherwise, the user’s profile probably has to be reset before Workspace App is functional again.
Manual Workspace App cleanup
Once in a while, attempts to uninstall and reinstall Workspace App may fail or hang. Or in some cases, the user just cannot connect to a virtual machine. You may want to consider clearing out any user data for Workspace App from the user's profile.
Usually deleting any folder that says Citrix, ICAClient, Citrix Receiver, etc will do the trick. Below is some of the known folder/file locations on various platforms, but there may be some other folders involved that may change over time.
Windows:
Mac:
Linux:
Should additional support be required, please contact the Staff and Student Support Centre @ 780-492-8000 or open a ticket at https://universityofalberta.freshservice.com/support/home
Keywords: VCS, Virtual Computer Services, Workspace, Citrix