How to Configure Windows 7 Theme for XenApp Published Desktops and Applications

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Article ID: CTX133429

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Description

This article describes how to configure Windows 7 theme for XenApp published desktops and applications. This creates a more familiar user experience and allows the published desktop to appear more integrated with the workstation of the users.

Background

By default, Windows Server 2008 R2 does not have the Windows 7 theme enabled for users. The addition of the Desktop Experience feature allows users to utilize this theme. With the release of XenApp 6.5, Citrix has also integrated this technology into published applications.

Instructions

Complete the following steps to configure Windows 7 theme for XenApp Published Desktops and Applications:

Enable PowerShell.
1. Go to Start > Run > PowerShell.
2. To determine the current PowerShell authority level, type Get-ExecutionPolicy and press Enter.
3. To set the PowerShell authority level, type Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted and press Enter (other options are “AllSigned” and “RemoteSigned”).
4. To verify the new authority level, type Get-ExecutionPolicy and press Enter.
Configure XenApp.
1. Windows Desktop Experience Integration must be installed during the initial configuration through Server Role Manager. However, this can be verified by running the Server Role Manager and selecting Add Roles.
2. Right-click %Program Files%\Citrix\App Delivery Setup Tools\New-CtxManagedDesktopGPO.ps1, select Run with PowerShell.
3. Within Group Policy Management on the XenApp server, select to Link Existing GPO to OU <Bold?> which houses XenApp servers (CtxRestrictedComputer).
4. Within Group Policy Management on the XenApp server, select to Link Existing GPO to OU which houses XenApp users (CtxStartMenuTaskbarUser and CtxPersonalizableUser or CtxRestrictedUser).
5. Ensure the Security Group for XenApp users are <S-V mismatch> in the scope of the user GPOs.
Configure Windows Server 2008 R2.
1. Add Desktop Experience Feature in Server Manager.
  1. Open Server Manager. The Server Manager console is generally located under Administrative Tools.
  2. Go to Features and click Add Feature, select Desktop Experience and click Install; if it shows as already installed, then click Cancel.
  3. Before restarting the server after the installation, go to Services and set up the Themes service to start as Automatic.
  4. Restart the XenApp Server.
2. From the Start menu, go to Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings > Performance Settings and enable Use Visual styles on windows and buttons.
3. Within Control Panel, go to Personalization and select Windows 7 Basic theme.