Install Application on Remote Desktop Server 2019 missing (2023)

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  I have a Windows Server 2008 Remote Desktop Server installed. I read online on how to install applications properly on a RDS server. They state that there are two options:

  1. Doing the Change User command before and after installing the application

  2. Using the "Install Application On Remote Desktop Server" tool from Control Panel/Programs

  The first option seems easy enough, but I wanted to test out the second option. When I go to Control Panel/Programs, I don't see an option listed for "Install Application On Remote Desktop Server".

  I have the RD Session Host role installed.

  Any ideas?

  Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:55 PM

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  Hi,

  Please make sure you are using the Category view of Control Panel,click on Programs, then click on Install Applicaton on Remote Desktop...

  Thanks.

  -TP

  • Marked as answer byProTranslating-FrankTuesday, January 10, 2012 7:20 PM

  Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:17 PM

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  Hi,

  Please make sure you are using the Category view of Control Panel,click on Programs, then click on Install Applicaton on Remote Desktop...

  Thanks.

  -TP

  • Marked as answer byProTranslating-FrankTuesday, January 10, 2012 7:20 PM

  Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:17 PM

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  Hi,

  See Also

  How to Install RDS CALs On Windows ServerWindows Server 2019: Session Host is dead! Multi-user Win10 instead? | TechTargetMicrosoft Remote Desktop Services - Remote App Publishing | TechCrumbleHow to resolve common problems with Windows Remote Desktop

  Please make sure you are using the Category view of Control Panel,click on Programs, then click on Install Applicaton on Remote Desktop...

  Thanks.

  -TP

  That worked. Thanks!
  

  Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:21 PM

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  I see it in the Control Panel either way. Is it not supposed to show up in Icon view?

  
  
  • Edited byCarl UnderwoodSunday, February 12, 2012 2:59 PM

  Sunday, February 12, 2012 2:54 PM

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  I still don't see it

  Thursday, March 3, 2016 5:05 AM

7 Replies

· · ·

Ghost Chili

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Best Answer

Scott696d

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You can do this, but as we all know, many users will try something stupid and only realize that after they've been told (by us or the system) it's a no-go. I would wait myself. You may also want a reboot and to patch that application to current after the install as well, which will result in grumpy users if you do that while they're connected :-)

4

· · ·

Mace

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Denis Kelley

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I'd seriously wait till end of day, just in case a botched install happens.

2

· · ·

Serrano

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Larry D. Lawrence II Jul 10, 2012 at 10:11 UTC

In my opinion wait till everyone is logged off. this will eliminate the possibility of having a process called for before it is installed completely (yes this has happened to me before). This will ensure any errors you may or may not get will be true errors and not caused by an active application calling for a resource that has only been partially installed. As a general rule any major change / install should be carried out during non peak times to eliminate the "everything just got realy slow" calls you may receive during the install. Again this is all an opinion.

1

· · ·

Ghost Chili

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Paragraph Jul 10, 2012 at 10:17 UTC

Technically it's possible, but as others have said, you should wait until after-hours to do this, for numerous reasons.

If something does go wrong, you'll need to down the server. The install might take up a lot of resources and slow users down. The install might require a reboot.

All of this makes users angry, and angry users are not fun users to work with.

But, from a technical standpoint it's possible.

· · ·

Mace

OP

Texkonc Jul 10, 2012 at 10:55 UTC

We had lots of issues when updating something when people are logged in.

Log everyone off or wait to EOD and install from Console. Don't install from RDP, Console is muchpreferred.

· · ·

Cayenne

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AdmaxMart

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You will spend more time fixing the install than you would if you can wait until everyone is off. It is not worth the time. We no longer install anything unless all users are logged off of the terminal servers.

1

· · ·

Serrano

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Larry D. Lawrence II Jul 12, 2012 at 08:25 UTC

Votes for best / helpful and close the issue?

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Getting ready

How to do it…

Installing applications on RD Session Host servers

Whether you are providing session-based virtual desktops or RemoteApp programs, you need to ensure that apps are installed properly on the RD Session Host servers. Before you attempt to install the app in a production environment, you need to verify that it works properly when installed on an RD Session Host server. When you install the app on an RD Session Host server, you need to follow a specific installation process.

The following are some considerations for deploying apps on RD Session Host servers:

• Suitability for multiuser environments:
  This is the most important consideration for apps installed on RD Session Host servers. Historically, most end-user apps function well in multiuser environments, but this isn't always the case. Ideally, the app vendor officially will support installation on RD Session Host servers. In some cases, you may need to obtain an update from the app vendor that enables an app to run properly on an RD Session Host server. If an app can't run on RD Session Host servers, then you'll need to install it on desktops or consider using an alternative app.
  Note:
  Many apps that aren't officially supported for RD Session Host servers run properly, but the vendor hasn't done the necessary testing. You can choose to install the app anyway and accept the risk of unforeseen failures. Whether you do this depends on the organizational benefits of putting the app on RD Session Host servers versus the cost of potential failure in the future.
• App compatibility:
  You need to investigate whether apps have compatibility issues when coexisting on RD Session Host servers. Ensure that you thoroughly test apps before you put them into a production environment. You might need collections with separate pools of RD Session Host servers to run incompatible applications separately from one another.
• App dependencies:
  Install related apps or apps that have dependencies on other local apps on the same RD Session Host server. For example, all the apps in a suite such as Microsoft Office should be installed on the same RD Session Host server unless otherwise prescribed by the vendor.
• Capacity requirements:
  There are no firm numbers on how many clients a single RD Session Host server can support. Resource requirements depend on the number of apps that are being used simultaneously and the resource requirements of individual apps. Adding a new app to an RD Session Host server will increase the load on the server. Don't assume that because the number of clients remains the same, the load won't increase.
• Licensing requirements:
  The licensing requirements for apps vary widely among vendors and apps. In many cases, installing an app on an RD Session Host server means that you need to purchase licenses for every user who has access to session-based virtual desktops. In a large RDS deployment, this can be very expensive. You may be able to mitigate this by using RemoteApp programs, which can be controlled by user groups. Some vendors have specific licensing for RDS deployments.

Installing an app on an RD Session Host server is different from installing an app on a traditional desktop. RD Session Host servers operate in two modes: install mode and execute mode. You must put a server in install mode to install multiuser apps properly. In install mode, the Windows operating system ensures that appropriate registry entries and initialization (.ini) file settings are configured for an app to function in multiuser environments. After an app successfully installs, the server must be placed back into execute mode.

The Windows Installer Service is RDS-aware. This means that Windows Installer packaged apps (.msi) automatically are installed properly. Windows Installer switches to install mode and back to execute mode as part of the installation process. Most apps are distributed as Windows Installer packages as for installation, but you should verify before installing.

If the app isn't distributed as a Windows Installer package, then you need to ensure that you install it by using the proper process. One way to install the application properly is by using the Install Application On Remote Desktop Server option in the Programs area of Control Panel. This option is added to all RD Session Host servers. Using this option opens a wizard that prompts you for the location of the installation files and puts the server into install mode while performing the installation.

Alternatively, you can use a command prompt to manually put the RD Session Host server into install mode by using the following command:

After the RD Session Host server is switched to install mode, install the application. Then, change the RD Session Host server back to execute mode by using the following command:

You also can check the current server mode by using the following command:

You also can use apps deployed by using Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) for sessionbased virtual desktops and RemoteApp programs. Using App-V can mitigate some compatibility issues and simplify application deployment and updates.

Download the correct version

To download the Windows 2019 Server Preview version, you will need to register to Windows Insider Program. Once this is performed, the download page will be displayed. The page will display multiple download options. Select carefully. Choosing the Semi Annual Channel (SAC) version will get you a GUI-less server version (no RDS possible). To grab a Windows 2019 with Desktop Experience, move to the section called Windows Server vNext LTSC Preview 17630, choose the correct language and a download link would be made available.

Click on Picture for Better Resolution

The installation process of Windows 2019 Server is similar to previous version of Windows Server. After performing the installation, the computer has been joined into the domain. This preview version look similar to Windows 2016 (look ‘n feel) but some new features and improvements are available. As we were preparing some RDS project, we decided to have a look to the new RDS role in Windows 2019 Server…

IT: How to Correctly Install Applications on a Remote Desktop Server

• Taylor Gibb

  @taybgibb

When installing an application on a Terminal Server, because multiple people will be using the application at once, there is actually a special method that you should use to install the applications. Here’s two methods to do it the right way.

Note: this is part of our ongoing series teaching IT administration basics, and might not apply to everybody.