Citrix - 1.2 What’s new in xendeskop

This lesson reviews what is new in XenDesktop 7.6. Citrix XenDesktop is recognised as the leading application and desktop virtualisation solution for the enterprise: it provides a unified, cloud and mobile-optimised architecture that delivers virtual apps and desktops with fast and high-performance access. XenDesktop 7.6 keeps feature parity with XenApp where it makes sense, while a small number of XenApp-only or XenDesktop-only features remain — some changes do not apply to XenApp deployments and vice versa.

Among the headline improvements are session pre-launch and session lingering, two features inherited from XenApp 6.5 that significantly improve perceived launch speed. Pre-launch creates the session before the user requests an application; lingering keeps it open for a few minutes after the last app is closed. In XenDesktop 7.6 these settings move from Citrix policies to the broker and can be configured per delivery group from Studio.

Other 7.6 highlights

  • Anonymous access at the delivery group level for kiosks (StoreFront URL without credentials).
  • Connection leasing: each controller caches recent connections, so users keep working when the site database is briefly unavailable.
  • H.264 lossless graphics for drag-and-drop on both hosted apps and server-based desktops.
  • Improved USB redirection, webcam/microphone/headset HDX support and virtual loopback for IPC between published apps.
  • The Citrix Mobile SDK to mobilise legacy Windows line-of-business apps.
  • HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Microsoft Lync 2013.
  • An overhauled HTML5 Receiver, originally targeted at Chrome OS, with SSL, clipboard, USB and bi-directional audio/video.

We have only scratched the surface of XenDesktop 7.6: many smaller refinements to existing features will be covered in later modules. See you in the next session for a deeper dive on each of these capabilities.

Summary

This lesson explores the new features introduced in Citrix XenDesktop, particularly focusing on version 7.6 and backward compatibility with earlier releases. XenDesktop serves as a unified architecture for virtualizing applications and desktops across cloud and mobile environments, delivering rapid and efficient access to enterprise resources. The lesson covers key enhancements including session optimization, anonymous access, advanced graphics codecs, USB device support, and expanded mobile platform compatibility.

Key points

  • Session Pre-launch and Lingering (v5.6–7.6) — Dramatically accelerate application and desktop access by pre-staging sessions and caching user connections, maintaining availability even during database outages via limited-mode failover
  • Anonymous Access Control (v7.6) — Enable credential-less access to applications and desktops through configurable delivery groups, ideal for kiosk and public-access scenarios without exposing sensitive authentication data
  • H.264 Lossless Codec Support (v7.6) — Deliver superior graphics quality and bandwidth efficiency across all scenarios—server-based applications, remote desktop access, USB redirection, and mobile connections—via the new H.264 implementation
  • USB Device Redirection and Automatic Mapping — Empower end-users to leverage modern peripherals including microphones, headsets, and virtualization loopback devices, enabling real-time bidirectional audio/video streaming and clipboard access
  • Enterprise Mobile Toolkit (MTQ) — Equip developers with a comprehensive toolkit to modernize legacy Windows applications or build new mobile-optimized business applications for delivery across any device via Citrix Receiver
  • Chromebook and Chrome OS Receiver — Introduce an enhanced Chrome receiver with native OS feature access (USB press, clipboard, audio/video bidirectional support), establishing Chrome OS as a viable enterprise desktop platform

FAQ

What performance benefits does session pre-launch and lingering provide in XenDesktop 7.6?

Session pre-launch establishes a user session before login is required, while lingering caches the session after logout. Both techniques reduce perceived latency and deliver faster application launch speeds by pre-staging the environment, with cached sessions remaining available even if the database becomes temporarily unavailable.

How does anonymous access improve user experience in shared or public environments?

Anonymous access eliminates the requirement for users to present authentication credentials when accessing applications or desktops through storefronts and Citrix access tools. This streamlines the experience for kiosk deployments and public-facing scenarios, with access and permissions controlled through delivery group configuration.

What new capabilities does the H.264 lossless codec introduce for XenDesktop 7.6?

The H.264 lossless codec provides superior graphics quality and optimized bandwidth utilization across all deployment scenarios—including server-based applications, remote desktops, USB-redirected devices, and mobile connections—replacing previous codec limitations that did not support lossless compression.