Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS

Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS - Preview

November 21, 2024

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This documentation describes the features and configuration of Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS 2411. This version is the preview for the latest version of Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS.

Early Adopter Release (EAR) build for 2411 is available on:

EAR build is for the purpose of testing or validation with the intent to make organizations ready for the upcoming release and is NOT advised to be deployed in production environments.

For more information on how to install the EAR build, see To access the EAR build.

What’s new

This release is compatible with ChromeOS version 130. This release addresses areas that improve overall performance and stability. Following are the features:

Scanner redirection support

Starting with the 2405 version, you can connect a scanning device to your local machine and redirect the scanner to a virtual session. This feature enables you to access the scanned files within a Citrix Workspace app session and easily upload the documents to any other app accessible through Citrix Workspace app.

Starting with the 2411 version, optimized scanner redirection is generally available. This feature enhances performance and efficiency.

Notes:

This feature is enabled by default starting Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2411 version.

To enable the feature for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2407 version, follow the steps provided in the Prerequisites section.

This feature supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2407 and later.

Scanner redirection prerequisites

Enable the SANE redirection policy in DDC as follows:

Sign in to the Desktop Delivery Controller (DDC) machine, and open Citrix Studio.
Click Policies > Create Policy. The Create Policy dialog box appears.
Search for SANE scanner redirection as shown.
Select the SANE scanner redirection option. The Edit Settings dialog box appears. Select the Allowed option.
Click OK.

Feature limitations

If a session is using the scanner and a scan is in progress, attempting to use the scanner from a second session causes the first session’s scan operation to fail abruptly.
The Silent scanning option that is used to allow document scanning without user approval isn’t available in Kiosk settings from the Google Admin Console. For more information, see the partner ticket.
Some of the scanner features might not function as expected. For example, page width, page height, paper size, brightness, and contrast. The issue occurs because of a third-party scanner API bug regarding Option descriptors. [RFHTMCRM-13829]

Configurations

For managed users, to allow document scanning without user approval, admins can enable the Silent scanning option from the Google admin console.

To enable silent scanning:

Navigate to Devices > Chrome > Apps and Extensions.
Choose the Citrix Workspace app ID.
Enable the Silent scanning option available on the right panel.
Save the changes.

Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app

Previously, virtual desktops were left in a disconnected state when users closed them by tapping the X button. This consumed unnecessary energy and power resources.

Starting from the 2405 version, we have introduced a sustainability initiative that encourages users to conserve energy that might be used due to running unused virtual desktops.

Starting from the 2411 version, admins can customize the disconnect and log out dialog box contents.

With this feature enabled, when users tap on the X icon to disconnect the session, a prompt is displayed to log out from the desktop session. This feature can be helpful in enterprises that use Windows OS policies to shut down VMs when no users are logged in.

Note: This feature is disabled by default. To use this feature, you must enable the new toolbar feature. To enable, see Improved in-session toolbar.

Prerequisites

The minimum StoreFront version required is 2407.

Configuration

Admins can customize the sustainability dialog box contents using the following keywords in DDC for both on-premises and cloud setup:

Keyword	Description
ICA-LogOffOnClose	Keyword for enabling/disabling Sustainability. The default value is false.
ICA-Icon	Keyword for enabling/disabling Sustainability leaf Icon. Even if this setting is empty, the ICA-LogOffOnClose setting applies.
ICA-PromptMessage	Keyword for customizing the prompt message that appears in the dialog box. If you haven’t given a customized message, then the default message applies.
ICA-Title	Keyword for customizing the title that appears in the dialog box. If you haven’t given a customized message, then the default message applies.

For more information about the DDC configuration, see Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app in the Citrix Workspace app for Windows documentation.

Notes:

The disconnect and log out dialog boxes appear according to the parsed key.

If you choose not to use the sustainability feature, then the admin can configure the key LogOffOnClose to false. However, the user sees the default dialog box, and can choose to click the “Don’t ask me again” check box. When the user clicks this option, the session disconnects, but the dialog box doesn’t appear in subsequent sessions.

End user experience

When users tap on the X icon to disconnect the session, the following prompt appears:

Disconnect Prompt

End users can exit from the session in the following two ways:

Log out to save energy - This sustainability action shuts down the virtual machine and conserves energy. End users must make sure to save their work before logging out.
Disconnect - click Disconnect to close the virtual desktop session window. However, the virtual session remains active until the next sign-in. End users can resume their work easily.

Note:

The sustainability leaf icon appears only when your admin has enabled the sustainability feature.

Starting with the 2405 version, an enhanced toolbar UI appears when you start a desktop session. The look and feel of the in-session toolbar UI has changed. The toolbar UI is designed to enhance the end user experience by organizing the options in a user-friendly manner.

Old Toolbar UI

New Toolbar UI

Note:

This feature is disabled by default. To enable the feature, follow the configuration steps.

Known issue in the feature

When you move the toolbar notch in the session, the tooltip for the notch doesn’t appear. [RFHTMCRM-14281]

Configuration in ChromeOS

You can enable the new toolbar UI by using:

Google Admin Policy
Global App Configuration service

Google Admin Policy

For managed devices and users, administrators can enable the feature using the Google Admin Policy as follows:

Sign in to the Google Admin Policy.
Go to Device management > Chrome Management > User Settings.
Add the following JSON strings to the policy.txt file under the engine_settings key.
Note:

You can apply this configuration on the following as well:
- Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Users and browsers > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
- Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Kiosks > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
- Device > Chrome > Apps and extensions > Managed guest sessions > Search for the extension > Policy for extensions.
Make sure you set the attribute switchToNewToolbar to true.

The following is an example of JSON data:
```
{
    "engine_settings": {
        "ui": {
            "toolbar": {
                "switchToNewToolbar": true
            }
        }
    }
}

```
Save the changes.

Global App Configuration Service

On the cloud setup, administrators can enable or disable the improved toolbar feature by navigating to Workspace Configuration > App Configuration > Session Experience > Toolbar > New Session Toolbar. Select the checkbox and respective toggle button to enable the feature.

GACS

Icons and Actions

Note:

The icons are visible to the end users only if their organization’s admin has enabled the specific feature.

Icon/Action	Description
Toolbar notch	When you start an app or a desktop session, the toolbar notch appears at the top of the screen. When you click the notch, the toolbar appears in the unpinned state. Drag and reposition the toolbar notch onto any side of the screen. After you release the mouse, the notch will automatically align itself with the nearest edge.
Pin	When you pin it, you can drag and reposition the toolbar onto any side of the screen. After you release the mouse, the toolbar automatically aligns itself with the nearest edge. The advantage of pinning the toolbar is that it doesn’t minimize into a notch after you complete an action that involves toolbar icons.
Unpin	When you unpin the toolbar, it minimizes into a notch after you complete an action that involves toolbar icons. You can drag and reposition the toolbar notch onto any side of the screen.
Ctrl+Alt+Del	You can perform the Ctrl+Alt+Del function with the click of a button. This option helps users to sign out, switch users, lock the system, or access the Task Manager.
File transfer
	Upload and Download: you can upload or download a file between a user device and a session. For more information, see File handling.
	Map a drive: The Client Drive Mapping (CDM) feature allows you to access your local folders and drives from Citrix Workspace app. For more information, see Client Drive Mapping.
Multi-monitor	The Multi monitor icon appears only when you connect external monitors. For more information, see Multi-monitor .
	Extend to all displays: the session spans across all the available monitors.
	Fullscreen: the session layout changes to full-screen mode in the current monitor.
	Custom layout: configure how your session must appear across the monitors. The following custom layout dialog appears for you to configure the arrangement. End users can select the desired monitors and click Apply to span the session on those monitors. Note that the layout box arrangement depends on how the monitors are connected.

Devices	Click to open the USB Devices dialog box. Click Add to view the USB devices connected to the local device. The dialog box lists the devices that can be redirected to the session. To redirect the USB devices, select an appropriate device and click Connect. For more information, see USB device redirection.
Devices	Note: You can view the Devices icon only if your IT administrator provides access to connect USB devices through policy settings.
Preferences
	Display Resolution: select the size of the resolution for the session display. By default, the screen resolution is set to Auto-fit screen.
	Multi-touch mode: click to use the multi-touch mode. You can toggle between Panning and Multi-touch mode. This option is applicable to touch-screen devices. For more information, see Touch and mobility support.
	More: displays preferences about the soft keyboard button and Citrix Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP).
Help
	Gesture Guide – a gesture guide appears with details on how to use finger taps. This option is applicable only to touch-screen devices.
	About – displays the current version of the Citrix Workspace app that you’re using.
Minimize	You can minimize the session window.
Fullscreen	You can switch your screen from windowed mode to full-screen mode. In Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS, the fullscreen icon action doesn’t span the session across monitors. However, if you select the monitors from the custom layout and the session spans to the respective monitors, then when you restore, the Fullscreen icon gets replaced by the Extend option. When you click on the Extend icon, the session spans to the previously selected monitors.
Disconnect	The disconnect action keeps the virtual desktop running. Log out to save energy.
	Note: When admin configures both Log out and Disconnect options, the following message appears.
	Log out to save energy: the log out action shuts down the virtual machine and conserves energy. End users must make sure to save their work before logging out.
	Disconnect: closes the virtual desktop session window. However, the virtual session remains active until the next sign-in. End users can resume their work easily. The Sustainability leaf icon appears only when the sustainability feature is enabled. For more information, see Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app.

Improved support for HTTP proxy

Starting from the 2411 version, Citrix Workspace app for ChromeOS provides enhanced HTTP proxy support. Enterprises can use this feature for both TCP and UDP connections, ensuring Citrix Workspace app is compatible with your organization’s networking requirements.

Enhanced troubleshooting with endpoint telemetry in Citrix Director

This feature significantly enhances the ability of admins to troubleshoot and resolve Citrix session issues by analyzing detailed endpoint telemetry data directly in Citrix Director.