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VMware Horizon – Setup Server 2016 Instant Clone Template – Install Agents and applications

Release date: May 26th 2019

Welcome to my VMware Horizon series. In this sub-session I will describe how I installed agents for Horizon, UEM & AppVol. In addition, I will briefly look at what applications I prefer to install into the template.

In preparations for this I have created an ISO-file with all the installation-media I will need for these tasks. This ISO I attach to my VM and copy the files to a Temp-folder inside my VM. I detach the ISO afterwards.

 

VMware Horizon View Agent

I will start with installing VMware Horizon View Agent. I launch the installer from the exe-file I copied in from the ISO.

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I accept the terms, Next

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I check “Install VMware Horizon in desktop mode”-option, next

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I select IPv4, Next

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I customize the setup as shown below. As this will be a template for Instant Clones, I make sure to deselect VMware Horizon View Composer and select VMware Instant Clones instead.

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Click Install

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When the installer finishes, Finish and restart

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VMware App Volumes Agent

I launch the installer from the exe-file I copied in from the ISO which opens the VMware App Volumes Installation Wizard, Next

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Accept the terms, Next

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Select Install App Volumes Agent, Next

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The App Volumes Agent Installation Wizard opens, Next

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I enter the FQDN of my App Volumes Manager server, 443 is correct, Next

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Install

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When the App Volumes Wizard completes successfully, click Finish and Yes to Restart server

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VMware UEM Agent

I will continue with installing VMware UEM Agent, I double-click the installer file to start the wizard, Next

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I start the “User Environment Manager Setup Wizard”, Next

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I accept the terms, Next

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I select a destination folder, default location is good, Next

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I select Typical

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I click Next on the License File Page

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Click Install

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I click Finish When Installation Is Complete

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Applications installed in base image:

As a rule of thumb, I like to install applications that all my users will be using in the base image. All auto-update functionality will be disabled. Other applications that are more granulary delivered, I will push out with App Vols. For my lab-template I will install the following applications in the base image:

  • MS Office
  • Java
  • Adobe Flash & Shockwave Player
  • Silverlight
  • 7 Zip

As best practice, I make sure to disable any Update-settings within the applications.

That concludes my session about how and what agents and applications I installed in my template. My next logical step will be to optimize Windows 2016 Server with VMware OS Optimization Tool and more utilities, covered here: VMware Horizon – Setup Server 2016 Instant Clone Template – Optimize Windows

 

Recommended reading:

VMware Tech Zone: Creating an Optimized Windows Image for a VMware Horizon Virtual Desktop

 

VMware Horizon – Setup Server 2016 Instant Clone Template

VMware Horizon planning, deployment etc.

Disclaimer: Every tips/tricks/posting I have published here, is tried and tested in different it-solutions. It is not guaranteed to work everywhere, but is meant as a tip for other users out there. Remember, Google is your friend and don’t be afraid to steal with pride! Feel free to comment below as needed.

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