Step-by-step configuration of Windows 365 Cloud PCs to run with Citrix HDX Plus from Citrix Workspace

Windows 365 users can now log in with Citrix Workspace and take advantage of Citrix HDX Plus Protocol on top of their cloud PC offering from Microsoft. To achieve this, I have written this blog to configure Windows 365 + Intune + Citrix Cloud Integration. This blog is a detailed step-by-step guide, kindly go through each step to configure the same. You may skip a few steps if you have already deployed AVD with Citrix Cloud as the Control Plane.

Enhancing Windows 365 Cloud PCs with Citrix HDX Plus: A Detailed Overview

Citrix HDX Plus for Windows 365 combines Citrix’s advanced HDX technologies with Microsoft’s Windows 365 Cloud PCs to deliver a superior virtual desktop experience. This integration leverages Citrix Cloud and Windows 365, offering enhanced performance, security, and manageability for Cloud PCs.

Key Benefits and Features:

1. Enhanced User Experience: Citrix HDX Plus delivers a high-definition user experience with optimized audio, video, and graphics. Users benefit from features like adaptive bitrate encoding, session reliability, and automatic keyboard synchronization, ensuring smooth and seamless interactions with their Cloud PCs.

2. Advanced Security: Citrix HDX Plus incorporates robust security features, including multifactor authentication, encryption, and secure remote access. These measures protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

3. Simplified Management: IT administrators can easily manage and deploy Cloud PCs through the Citrix Cloud management console. This centralized approach streamlines the provisioning, configuration, and monitoring of Cloud PCs, reducing administrative overhead.

Prerequisites:

To deploy Citrix HDX Plus for Windows 365, the following prerequisites must be met:

• A Citrix DaaS (Desktop as a Service) subscription.
• Administrator accounts for both Citrix and Azure.
• Proper network access to Azure AD, Citrix Cloud, and other necessary resources.

Supported Configurations:

• Citrix HDX Plus supports various configurations, including:
• Entra (Azure AD) joined Cloud PCs.
• Hybrid joined Cloud PCs with different identity providers.
• A range of Windows 365 licensing options.

Configuration Steps:

1. Enable the Citrix Connector:

Begin by enabling the Citrix connector within the Citrix Cloud management console. This connector facilitates the integration between Citrix Cloud and Windows 365.

Step 1: Go to https://endpoint.microsoft.com and log in with an account that has Global Administrator privileges in MEM.

Step 2: Select Tenant administration.

Step 3: Select Connectors and tokens.

Step 4: Select Windows 365 partner connectors.

Step 5: Click Add, select Citrix from the list, set the toggle to On and click Add.

Step 6: You can find that Citrix connector is now enabled.

2. Connect Entra ID to Citrix Cloud: Connect your Entra ID to Citrix Cloud. This step is crucial for managing user identities and access permissions.

Step 1: Go to Identity and Access Management

Step 2: Connect Entra ID with Citrix Cloud

3. Configure Citrix Workspace: Set up Citrix Workspace to provide users with access to their Cloud PCs. This involves configuring workspace settings, including URL customization, branding, and resource entitlements.

Step 1: Click to configure Citrix workspace

Configure the Workspace URL

If you want the Cloud PC session to launch automatically after users log into Workspace, look for Automatically Launch Desktop, set the toggle to Enabled, and click Save.

4. Connect Windows 365 to Citrix Cloud

Step 1: Click on the options menu in the upper left corner, expand My Services, and select DaaS.

Step 2: Place the cursor over the arrow in the Manage tab to expand the menu and select Full Configuration.

Step 3: Select Quick Deploy on the left side.

Step 4: Click on Connect Windows 365 Account

Step 5: Log in with the global administrator account and accept the requested permissions

Step 6: Proceed to Assign Citrix licenses to your users.

Entra ID Permissions for HDX Plus for Windows 365

An application called Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (application ID 7e1dd8af-3a41-44f1-9009-89a982753609) will be created with the following permissions:

Considerations:

The following are considerations for establishing a connection between Citrix Cloud and Windows 365:

• The user must be a Global Administrator. Otherwise, the application registration will not complete successfully, and the connection will fail.
• There must be Windows 365 Enterprise licenses in the Azure tenant. Otherwise, the connection to Windows 365 will fail.
• If the Entra ID tenant connected to Citrix Cloud differs from the tenant for Windows 365, the connection will fail.
• Occasionally, a delay in propagating the application permissions in Azure will cause the connection to fail. Retrying the connection to Windows 365 within 15 minutes may solve the problem.

5. Provision Cloud PCs:

Finally, provision Cloud PCs through the Intune console. For More Information you can read my blog on Windows 365 Provisioning. Here are the links.

Step by Step Deployment of Microsoft Cloud PC (Windows 365 Enterprise) from Scratch – Part 1

Step by Step Deployment of Microsoft Cloud PC (Windows 365 Enterprise) from Scratch – Part 2

6. Accessing Cloud PCs

You have three options to access your Cloud PCs:

Option 1: Citrix Workspace App

1. Download and Install: Get the Citrix Workspace app for your OS (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS).
2. Configuration: Open the app, enter the Workspace URL, and log in with your Azure AD credentials.
3. Launch: Select your Cloud PC to start a session.

Option 2: Citrix Workspace (Web)

1. Navigate: Open a browser, go to the Workspace URL.
2. Login: Use Azure AD credentials.
3. Detection and Installation: If prompted, detect Workspace and install the app.
4. Launch: Select your Cloud PC from the displayed options.

Option 3: Windows 365 User Portal

1. Navigate: Open a browser and go to windows365.microsoft.com.
2. Login: Use your Azure AD credentials.
3. Open in Citrix: Select the “Open in Citrix” option to switch to Citrix Workspace and launch your Cloud PC.

For more detailed instructions, refer to the Citrix Official Documentation.

Limitations and Considerations:

While Citrix HDX Plus for Windows 365 offers numerous benefits, there are some limitations to be aware of:

• Availability is restricted in certain geographic regions.
• Single sign-on (SSO) and Windows Hello support may have limitations based on the specific deployment scenario.
• Some advanced features may require additional Citrix licensing.

Conclusion:

Citrix HDX Plus for Windows 365 enhances the Cloud PC experience by integrating Citrix’s HDX technologies with Microsoft’s Windows 365 platform. This powerful combination offers improved performance, security, and manageability, making it an ideal solution for organizations looking to optimize their virtual desktop infrastructure.

That’s all about today, you have a great day ahead.