Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

DesktopPlayer for Mac enables users to run local Windows virtual desktops on the Mac platform. It is a managed client virtualization solution for Mac OS X systems that’s like having your VDI desktop locally, so you can use it while on the road – regardless of the quality of the network connection, or even with no network connection at all. DesktopPlayer for Mac enables IT administrators in enterprises to deploy and manage corporate Windows instances in virtual desktops on Mac computers for employees.

If your Mac is connected to a corporate network or the Internet via a broadband line, XenDesktop is all you need. However, if you are using your MacBook in hotels, airplanes, conferences and other locations that require wireless Internet, it’s likely you may experience a slow or intermittent connection and sometimes may not get one at all—making it difficult or impossible to use server-hosted applications. With DesktopPlayer, your Windows virtual desktop is installed and runs locally regardless of the quality of your network connection.

DesktopPlayer for Mac leverages the Synchronizer management server backend in the datacenter to provision and control Windows virtual desktops that run on top of the client hypervisor platform on Mac endpoints.

DesktopPlayer is as simple to use as a Web browser. Once DesktopPlayer is running, users see their Windows virtual desktop and can launch applications and do work just if they were using a Windows laptop. Better yet, users don’t need to reboot their MacBook to switch back to the Mac OS: it’s two environments in one!

IT administrators can use DesktopPlayer to confidently deploy and manage corporate Windows virtual desktops to personal, BYO and corporate-issued Macs. Mac users get the convenience and flexibility to use Windows business applications on their corporate or personal BYO Macs. Users can easily flip between the Mac desktop and their Windows virtual desktop or they can see both on the same screen at the same time. When connected to an external monitor, users can have both their Mac desktop and Windows virtual desktop launched and visible side-by-side at the same time on two different monitors.

DesktopPlayer for Mac is a client virtualization solution for the Mac platform to allow users to run Windows virtual desktops on Macs. It uses a Type-2 hypervisor that installs on top of the Mac OS. Because DesktopPlayer installs on top of the existing Mac OS, it’s ideal for BYO. XenClient Enterprise offers similar client virtualization capabilities for the PC platform, but it uses a Type-1 hypervisor that installs under the Windows OS (on the bare metal). XenClient Enterprise is ideal for corporate-issued Windows laptops and PCs. Both DesktopPlayer and XenClient share the same management server called the Synchronizer that is used to centrally control and provision Windows virtual desktops to the local Mac and PC endpoints.

The DesktopPlayer for Mac solution offers a client that runs on top of a Mac OS and connects to a management server (called the Synchronizer) in the datacenter that provisions and manages Windows VMs with policies that are deployed to the Mac. The Synchronizer is included with XenDesktop Enterprise/Platinum. In contrast, many consumer-based client virtualization software products for Mac are standalone utilities that allow virtual machines to be created on top of the Mac platform, while lacking truly integrated provisioning, control and policy management capabilities from a central point in the datacenter.

DesktopPlayer for Mac provides IT administrators with the ability to centrally control virtual desktops with the flexibility and convenience of allowing users to run them locally on MacBooks without network dependency. This clearly differentiates DesktopPlayer from many standalone client virtualization tools for Mac that lack central management capabilities that are demonstrated by DesktopPlayer’s management server.

No, this is prohibited. Due to Apple’s EULA, Mac OS X can only be virtualized on the Mac platform.

Not at this time. The current version of DesktopPlayer only runs on Mac OS. XenClient is Citrix’s client virtualization solution for Windows laptops.

No. You can install DesktopPlayer on top of Mac OS X without the need to reinstall Mac OS X afterwards. The DesktopPlayer installation is non-disruptive and you will be able to get a guest OS (i.e. Windows 7) in a virtual desktop by registering with the server that your IT administrators will assign to you as a user.

While it can be used this way for testing purposes, the primary value of DesktopPlayer is to deliver centrally managed Windows virtual desktops to Macs through the Synchronizer.

Yes. DesktopPlayer is an add-on that offers the ability to run your corporate Windows virtual desktops locally on Macs, but you still need licenses for rights to the Synchronizer, which is used to deploy and manage the virtual desktops. If your users are already licensed to use XenDesktop Enterprise/Platinum, you do not need to purchase additional licenses and can just add on DesktopPlayer. If you are looking to deploy DesktopPlayer to new users, you must procure the appropriate XenDesktop license and then purchase the DesktopPlayer add-on. For customers of XenClient Enterprise, DesktopPlayer can also be added onto a XenClient Enterprise user/device license.

DesktopPlayer will be available in late Q3. You will be able to buy DesktopPlayer from any Citrix authorized reseller in your area. You will also be able to purchase it directly from the Citrix Store.

Yes. Soon after Citrix Synergy LA 2013 a trial download of DesktopPlayer will be available. Sign up today to be notified as soon as it’s available and be one of the first to use this new Citrix product.

If you have a Citrix support agreement, you will receive support for DesktopPlayer through the same channels you normally use. Visit Citrix Support for the range of options, including live technical support, self-help Knowledge Center, on-demand training videos and more.

For more information, visit the DesktopPlayer for Mac product page.