Overview
Citrix for Windows 365 integrates Citrix Cloud with Windows 365 Cloud PCs to deliver a high-performance, secure, and easy-to-manage solution. This combination enables organizations to provide a seamless hybrid work experience, supporting diverse use cases beyond standard Windows 365 capabilities.
Citrix helps IT teams manage and provision Cloud PCs directly from the Citrix platform, reducing application delivery complexity and simplifying operations. With security features like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), contextual access policies, and secure browser redirection, Citrix protects your business from cyber threats and data leaks.
Citrix improves the Windows 365 Cloud PC experience with adaptive HDX graphics, Microsoft Teams and Unified Communications optimizations, USB redirection, and support for 3D workloads, ensuring smooth performance on any device or network.
With Citrix, customers can support a wide range of hybrid work scenarios, such as remote and BYOD employees, high-turnover environments like call centers, and scaling up for seasonal demand. Citrix provides flexibility to run Cloud PCs and on-prem workloads side-by-side, avoiding vendor lock-in and offering seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
Why Citrix for Windows 365?
Citrix extends Windows 365's value by delivering a solution that protects your business, integrates your ecosystem, optimizes your budget, and improves user satisfaction. With Citrix’s proven technologies, organizations get a secure, efficient, and flexible environment to support their hybrid work strategy.
Satisfied Users on Any Network
Citrix HDX delivers an enhanced experience for Windows 365 Cloud PCs across any network or device. Telephony and unified communications optimizations, multimedia enhancements, and adaptive technologies ensure smooth performance, even in low-bandwidth or high-latency environments.
Protect Your Business
Citrix strengthens security for Windows 365 Cloud PCs with granular policy controls, giving admins control over printers, USB devices, and clipboards, protecting data from leaks or misuse. Features like Session Recording and Adaptive Access policies help keep your environment compliant and secure.
Integrate Your Ecosystem
Citrix supports a wide range of devices and peripherals, ensuring a consistent user experience on any endpoint. Whether it's advanced multi-monitor setups or specialty peripherals, Citrix integrates your ecosystem seamlessly.
Simplify Authentication
Citrix integrates with third-party identity providers, enabling secure Single Sign-On, Multi-factor Authentication, and SAML 2.0 support, so you can use your existing identity solutions without disruption.
With Citrix for Windows 365, you can protect your business, integrate your ecosystem, optimize your budget, and improve user satisfaction—all with a solution designed to make your hybrid work environment more secure, efficient, and adaptable.
Citrix for Windows 365 Architecture
- Citrix Cloud Monitor is a web-based, central portal for configuring, managing, and monitoring your DaaS deployments for delivering virtual apps and desktops.
- Citrix Workspace app provides users with secure, self-service access to documents, applications, and desktops from any device, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs. It also provides on-demand access to Windows, web, and Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. For devices that cannot install Citrix Workspace app software, the Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 provides a connection through an HTML5-compatible web browser.
- Citrix Workspace aggregates and integrates Citrix Cloud services, enabling unified access to all the resources available to your end-users either through the browser with the Workspace URL or through the Citrix Workspace app
- Citrix Gateway Service is part of Citrix Cloud Services and provides secure remote access. It is a globally distributed multitenant service. End users use the nearest Point-of-Presence (PoP), regardless of the location of the Citrix Cloud Control or the location of the applications being accessed.
- Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) enables the Windows 365 Cloud PC to register with the Citrix control plane, allowing the machine and its hosting resources to be available to users. VDAs establish and manage the connection between the machine and the user device. VDAs also verify that a Citrix license is available for the user or session and apply policies configured for the session.
- HDX - Citrix has proprietary high-definition HDX technology that delivers high-quality voice, video, multimedia, and 3D graphics applications even over low bandwidth. HDX technology makes cloud-hosted virtual applications and desktops perform as if installed locally on the user’s device for seamless experiences.
Citrix for Windows 365 Onboarding
Once Citrix licenses are assigned to users, Citrix communicates to the Windows 365 service that the selected users are entitled to use Citrix to access their Cloud PCs. If the selected users already have Cloud PCs provisioned, Windows 365 automatically installs the Citrix Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) on those Cloud PCs and switches users' access to Citrix. If the selected users do not have Cloud PCs assigned, the VDA is installed immediately after the Cloud PC is provisioned at the time of Windows 365 license assignment.
After installing the VDA, it registers with Citrix Cloud, and any necessary Machine Catalogs and Delivery Groups are created automatically. Cloud PCs are then available through Citrix Workspace. A Citrix policy is also created for each Windows 365 delivery group to enable the required features.
Get started with Citrix for Windows 365
Information on the Citrix for Windows 365 prerequisites and supported configuration can be found here.
To configure Citrix for Windows 365, complete the following steps in order:
- Enable the Citrix Connector for Windows 365
- Connect Entra ID to Citrix Cloud
- Configure Citrix Workspace
- Connect Windows 365 to Citrix Cloud
- Assign Citrix Licenses to Users
- Provision Cloud PCs
After completing this initial configuration and granting access to Windows 365, admins choose users to receive their new enhanced Cloud PC. Existing Citrix administrators can manage Windows 365 Cloud PCs alongside their other Citrix apps and desktops, consistently applying access policies and security controls across their enterprise.
End users can access their Citrix-enhanced Cloud PCs through Intune, windows365.microsoft.com, or the Citrix Workspace app alongside other Citrix-provided content.
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