Overview of RemoteApp

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

What is RemoteApp?

RemoteApp enables you to make programs that are accessed remotely through Remote Desktop Services appear as if they are running on the end user's local computer. These programs are referred to as RemoteApp programs. Instead of being presented to the user in the desktop of the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server, the RemoteApp program is integrated with the client's desktop. The RemoteApp program runs in its own resizable window, can be dragged between multiple monitors, and has its own entry in the taskbar. If a user is running more than one RemoteApp program on the same RD Session Host server, the RemoteApp program will share the same Remote Desktop Services session.
Users can access RemoteApp programs several ways. They can:

1. Access a link to the program through RemoteApp and Desktop Connection by using Remote Desktop Web Access (RD Web Access).
2. Double-click a Remote Desktop Protocol (.rdp) file that has been created and distributed by their administrator.
3. Double-click a program icon on their desktop or Start menu that has been created and distributed by their administrator with a Windows Installer (.msi) package.
4. Double-click a file where the file name extension is associated with a RemoteApp program. This can be configured by their administrator with a Windows Installer package.

Users can access RemoteApp and Desktop Connection through the Start menu on a computer that is running Windows® 7 or through the RD Web Access Web site. For more information about making RemoteApp programs available through RemoteApp and Desktop Connection, see the Remote Desktop Connection Manager Help in Windows Server 2008 R2. For more information about RemoteApp and Desktop Connection, see the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143108).
The .rdp files and Windows Installer packages contain the settings that are needed to run RemoteApp programs. After opening a RemoteApp program on their local computer, the user can interact with the program that is running on the RD Session Host server as if it were running locally.

Why use RemoteApp?

RemoteApp can reduce complexity and reduce administrative overhead in many situations, including the following:

• Branch offices, where there may be limited local IT support and limited network bandwidth.
• Situations where users need to access programs remotely.
• Deployment of line-of-business (LOB) programs, especially custom LOB programs.
• Environments, such as "hot desk" or "hoteling" workspaces, where users do not have assigned computers.
• Deployment of multiple versions of a program, particularly if installing multiple versions locally would cause conflicts.

For more information about RemoteApp, see the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=140439).

Additional references

• Checklist: Configure RemoteApp
  
  
• Configuring the RD Session Host Server to Host RemoteApp Programs
  
  
• Configuring RemoteApp Programs
  
  
• Checklist: Make RemoteApp Programs Available from the Internet
  
  
• Remote Desktop Web Access (RD Web Access)