VMware Horizon – Setup Server 2016 RDS Template – Install Agents and applications

Release date: April 15th 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 accept the terms, Next

 

I select IPv4, Next

 

I enable installation of USB Redirection and Instant Clone Agent, then disable installation of View Composer Agent

 

I disable installation of Persona Management, as I’m going to be using User Environment Manager.

 

I enable installation of Performance Tracker, Next

 

Click Install

 

When the installer finishes, Finish and restart

 

VMware UEM Agent

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

 

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

 

I accept the terms, Next

 

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

 

I select Typical

 

I click Next on the License File Page

 

Click Install

 

I click Finish When Installation Is Complete

 

VMware App Volumes Agent

Launch the VMware App Volumes Installation Wizard, Next

 

Accept the terms, Next

 

Select Install App Volumes Agent, Next

 

The App Volumes Agent Installation Wizard opens, Next

 

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

 

Install

 

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

 

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 RDS Template – Optimize Windows

 

Recommended reading:

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

 

VMware Horizon – Setup Server 2016 RDS 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.