What Administrators Need to Know about Citrix Online Web Plugin

Citrix released the Citrix Online Web Plugin way back in 2008 to allow users to connect to Citrix XenApp (now renamed Citrix Virtual Apps) and Citrix XenDesktop (currently operating as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops).

It all began when Citrix released the ICA Client software in September 1998 as the first client application for accessing VDI resources. In June 2008, the ICA Client got renamed Citrix Online Web Plugin, and in 2009, Citrix rechristened it Citrix Receiver. It operated under this brand name until 2018 when Citrix officially renamed it Citrix Workspace App.

Learning about the Citrix Online Web Plugin

The Citrix Online Web Plugin is a Windows-based add-on that allows users to access published VDI resources from a web browser. Users that run Windows can leverage this tool to access published applications and desktops quickly via standard browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome.

When you install Citrix Online Web Plugin on an endpoint, you get to access published applications and desktops from your browser remotely. This is because the plugin connects to Citrix’s VDI comprising Citrix XenApp and Citrix XenDesktop. Organizations that run their applications in a software as a service (SaaS) environment can install the plugin and allow their employees to access the portal via browsers.

Fixing Errors When Updating from Earlier Versions

Like many applications out there, you need to update the Citrix Online Web Plugin frequently to achieve better performance and user experience. Removing Citrix Online Web Plugin can leave many temporary files and registry entries that complicate the upgrading process.

The Citrix Receiver cleanup (CTX137494) utility can help you fix some of the likely emerging errors when updating earlier versions. The CTX137494 tool cleans up any temporary files or registry entries that may remain after uninstalling an earlier version of the Citrix Online Web Plugin.

Follow these steps to use this tool:

Back up the registry by following the instructions in this article.

Download the Citrix Receiver cleanup utility from the Citrix website.

Install the downloaded file by running it with administrative privileges.

Restart the computer, and install the Citrix Online Web Plugin.

Parallels RAS Enables You to Access Desktops from Any Device

Browsers have become viable VDI clients because they exist on virtually all the endpoints. IT administrators can leverage them to deliver remote applications and desktops to any device without installing any local VDI client. VDI can make good business sense only if the client provides a great remote desktop experience that is as close as possible to a local desktop.

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is a simple, low-cost, all-in-one desktop virtualization solution. Organizations can use Parallels RAS to deliver virtual applications and desktops to any device or platform. Users can, in turn, access these resources via the Parallels Client—a lightweight application available for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, and Google Chromebook platforms.

You can also use any HTML5-compatible browser to access published resources. Parallels HTML5 Client leverages any browser, provided it is HTML5-ready. Since you don’t install any client application or plugin on the endpoint, Parallels HTML5 Client provides quick and productive access to corporate resources.

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