Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops supports the Single Admin management method. In this workflow, Citrix Studio acts as the management console, and the VDA handles the lifecycle of the package locally.

Prerequisites

1. Network Share: A UNC or SMB share (e.g., \\Server\AppVPackages) where .appv packages and their associated _DeploymentConfig.xml files are stored.

2. VDA Component: The "App Packages Delivery Component" (formerly Citrix Personalization for App-V) must be installed on the VDA.

   • To install: Run the VDA installer > Additional Components > Check App Packages Delivery Component.

3. Permissions: * The Citrix Broker Service (on the Delivery Controller) requires Read access to the share to discover packages.

   • The VDA machine accounts (Domain Computers) require Read access to the share to stream the packages.

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Add Packages to the Application Library

Instead of pointing Citrix to an App-V server, you point it to your network share.

1. Open Citrix Studio (or Web Studio).

2. Navigate to Configuration > App Packages.

3. Select Add Package from the Actions pane.

4. Choose App-V as the source and browse to your UNC path.

5. Select the desired .appv packages and click Add. Citrix will now cache the metadata for these packages.

Step 2: Configure VDA Service (Azure/Specific Shares Only)

If using standard domain shares, skip this step. If using Azure Files or restricted shares:

1. On the VDA, open services.msc.

2. Locate ctxAppVService.

3. Change the Log On account to a specific service account that has permissions to the network share.

Step 3: Publish the Applications

1. Navigate to Delivery Groups or Applications in Studio.

2. Click Add Applications.

3. Select Application packages as the source.

4. Select the App-V packages you added in Step 1.

5. Assign them to the appropriate Delivery Groups and Users.

Step 4: (Optional) Create Isolation Groups

Since there is no App-V Management Server to create "Connection Groups," use Citrix Isolation Groups:

1. In Studio, go to App Packages > Isolation Groups.

2. Click Add Isolation Group.

3. Group multiple App-V packages together (e.g., an Add-in and its parent app). This allows them to share the same virtual environment (sandbox) on the VDA.

Benefits of Single Admin Workflow

• Reduced Infrastructure: Eliminates the need for App-V SQL databases and dedicated IIS servers.

• Unified Console: All application management, including updates and permissions, happens entirely within Citrix Studio.

• Dynamic Configuration: Supports DeploymentConfig.xml and UserConfig.xml files located in the same folder as the package.

Without the App-V server infrastructure, a secondary method is already available in Citrix Web Studio to discover, manage, and stream .appv packages to VDAs.

Related Information

• Citrix Product Documentation: App Packages

• Note: As of April 2026, Microsoft has scheduled the End of Life for App-V Management Server. This workflow remains the recommended way to bridge the gap during the transition to MSIX or other layering technologies.