Terminal Server & XenApp Tuning Tips

By Pierre Marmignon @ 7:46 PM :: 19478 Views :: 8 Comments :: ::

XenApp, Tuning, Terminal Server, Tech Tips  
Working in SBC environments for some years now I've used some best practices documents
like the well known Methodology In a Box (MIAB) from Douglas Brown or the MF
Tuning Tips from Rick Delingher.

These documents, although really pertinent, are now quite outdated and do not include the
latest OS and XenApp releases.

The purpose of this article is an attempt to summarize all Tuning Tips I've found (and also
that I'm using) and describe the target operating system / XenApp version(s) they're working
for.

Do not hesitate to give us your comments for this Article to be updated with your
experience and feedback.

Please note that these informations are provided "as is" and that using these tips is at your
own risks.

Please also Note that all REG_DWORD values are provided in decimal format.

All Registry Hives are provided for x86 platforms. For x64 Platforms, do not forget to add
"WoW6432Node" if hive is in HKLM\Software.

Operating System Tuning for XenApp / Terminal Services

Purp
Typ Platfo
Registry Hive Value Data ose(s
e rm(s)
)
Disab
 RE
les  W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  DisableD G_
Wind / W2K
rentControlSet\Servic HCPMedi DW  1
ows 3 / W2
es\Tcpip\parameters aSense OR
Auto K8 
D
Sense
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  KeepAliv  RE  6000 Deter  W2K 
rentControlSet\Servic eTime G_ 0 mine / W2K
es\Tcpip\parameters DW s how 3 / W2
OR often K8 
D TCP
sends
keep-
alive
 trans
missi
ons
Deter
mine
s how
often
TCP
repea
ts
 RE
keep-  W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_
 KeepAliv alive / W2K
rentControlSet\Servic DW  100
eInterval trans 3 / W2
es\Tcpip\parameters OR
missi K8
D
ons
when
no
respo
nse is
recei
ved
Deter
mine
s how
many
times
TCP
retran
smits
an
 RE
 TcpMax unac  W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_
DataRetra know / W2K
rentControlSet\Servic DW  10
nsmission ledge 3 / W2
es\Tcpip\parameters OR
s d K8
D
data
segm
ent
on an
existi
ng
conn
ectio
n
HKLM\SOFTWARE\  WaitForN  RE  1 Enabl  W2K
microsoft\Windows etwork G_ es 3 / W2
NT\CurrentVersion\ DW Netlo K8
Winlogon OR gon
D to
wait
 for
the
Netw
ork to
be
activ
e
Disab
HKLM\SOFTWARE\  W2K 
 RE  Noth les
Microsoft\Windows / W2K
 Debugger G_S ing Dr
NT\CurrentVersion\A 3 / W2
Z ("") Wats
eDebug K8
on
Disab
les
 RE
Wind  W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_
ows / W2K
rentControlSet\Servic  Start DW  4
Upda 3 / W2
es\wuauserv OR
te K8
D
Servi
ce
Sets
Visua
l
effect
 RE
HKLM\Software\Mic s to
G_  W2K
rosoft\Windows\Curr  VisualFX "Opti
DW  2 3/
entVersion\Explorer\ Setting mize
OR W2K8
VisualEffects for
D
Best
Perfo
rman
ces"
Disab
 RE les
 W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ Logg
/ W2K
rentControlSet\Contro  EventLog DW  0 ing of
3 / W2
l\Print\Providers OR Print
K8
D Event
s
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  ErrorCont  RE  2 Disab  W2K 
rentControlSet\Servic rol G_ le / W2K
es\Spooler DW Spoo 3 / W2
OR ler K8
D errors
from
being
displ
ayed
 on
the
serve
r
conso
le
Rem
 RE oves
HKLM\Software\Mic  W2K 
 DontDisp G_ Displ
rosoft\Windows\Curr / W2K
layLastUs DW  1 ay of
entVersion\Policies\S 3 / W2
erName OR Last
ystem K8
D User
name
Delet
es the
Roa
 RE
HKLM\SOFTWARE\ ming  W2K 
 DeleteRo G_
Microsoft\Windows Profil / W2K
amingCac DW  1
NT\CurrentVersion\ es 3 / W2
he OR
Winlogon cache K8
D
after
Logo
ff
Disab
 RE les
 W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ Cons
 ErrorMod / W2K
rentControlSet\Contro DW  2 ole
e 3 / W2
l\Windows OR error
K8
D Mess
ages
Sets
Appli
catio
n
 RE
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur Event  W2K 
G_
rentControlSet\Servic  2097 's / W2K
 MaxSize DW
es\EventLog\Applicat 152 Log 3 / W2
OR
ion maxi K8
D
mum
size
to
2048
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  Retention  RE  0 Sets  W2K 
rentControlSet\Servic G_ Circu / W2K
es\EventLog\Applicat DW lar 3 / W2
ion OR Event K8
D s
loggi
 ng
Sets 
Secur
ity
 RE Event
 W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ 's
  209 / W2K
rentControlSet\Servic  MaxSize DW Log
7152 3 / W2
es\EventLog\Security OR maxi
K8
D mum
size
to
2048
Sets
 RE Circu
 W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ lar
/ W2K
rentControlSet\Servic  Retention DW  0 Event
3 / W2
es\EventLog\Security OR s
K8
D loggi
ng
Sets 
Syste
m
 RE Event
 W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ 's
  209 / W2K
rentControlSet\Servic  MaxSize DW Log
7152 3 / W2
es\EventLog\System OR maxi
K8
D mum
size
to
2048
Sets
 RE Circu
 W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ lar
/ W2K
rentControlSet\Servic  Retention DW  0 Event
3 / W2
es\EventLog\System OR s
K8
D loggi
ng
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  fDisableC  RE  1 Disab  W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro pm G_ les / W2K
l\Terminal DW Term 3 / W2
Server\WinStations\R OR inal K8
DP-Tcp D Serve
r
Clien
t
Print
ers
Mapp
 ing.
This
ensur
es
that
admi
n
won't
uploa
d
print
drive
rs
when
conn
ectin
g to
any
serve
r for
Admi
nistra
tion
purpo
ses
Disab
 RE les
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur G_ the  W2K 
rentControlSet\Servic  Start DW  4 Index / W2K
es\CiSvc OR ing 3 
D Servi
ce
Opti
mizes
GPO
Exec
 RE ution
HKLM\Software\Mic
G_ when  W2K
rosoft\Windows  BufferPol
DW  1 Oppo 3 / W2
NT\CurrentVersion\ icyReads
OR rtunis K8
Winlogon
D tic
Lock
s are
Disab
led
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  IdleWinS  RE  4 Raise  W2K
rentControlSet\Contro tationPool G_ s the
l\Terminal Server Count DW Num
OR ber of
 ICA / 
RDP
D
Liste
ners
Disab
led
the
 RE Ignor
 IgnoreRe
HKLM\System\Curre G_ e of  W2K
moteKeyb
ntControlSet\Control\ DW  0 remot 3 / W2
oardLayou
Keyboard Layout OR e K8
t
D keyb
oards
layou
ts
Sets 
NTF
S not
to
updat
e the
last-
acces
s
times
tamp
 RE
on  W2K 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  NtfsDisab G_
each / W2K
rentControlSet\Contro leLastAcc DW  1
direct 3 / W2
l\FileSystem essUpdate OR
ory K8
D
when
it
lists
the
direct
ories
on an
NTF
S
volu
me
 HKLM\SYSTEM\Cu  Win32Pri  RE  38 Foreg  W2K 
rrentControlSet\Contr oritySepar G_ round / W2K
ol\PriorityControl ation DW appli 3 / W2
OR catio K8
D n
more
repon
sive
 than
back
groun
d
Provi
des a
large
virtua
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  RE
l  W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro G_
 LargeSyst addre / W2K
l\Session DW  1
emCache ss 3 / W2
Manager\Memory OR
space K8
Management D
for
the
cache
.
Speci
fies
the
maxi
mum
numb
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  RE
er of  W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro G_
 IoPageLo  6553 bytes / W2K
l\Session DW
ckLimit 6 that 3 / W2
Manager\Memory OR
can K8
Management D
be
locke
d for
I/O
opera
tions
Drive
rs
and
the
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  RE kerne
 W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro  DisablePa G_ l
/ W2K
l\Session gingExecu DW  1 must
3 / W2
Manager\Memory tive OR remai
K8
Management D n in
physi
cal
mem
ory
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  AutoEnd  RE  1 Deter  W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro Tasks G_S mine / W2K
l\Terminal Z s 3 / W2
 whet
her
user
proce
sses
end
Server\WinStations\R
auto
DP-
matic K8
Tcp\UserOverride\Co
ally
ntrol Panel\Desktop
when
the
user
either
logs
off.
Deter
mine
s how
long
the
syste
m
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur waits
rentControlSet\Contro for
 W2K 
l\Terminal  WaitToKi  RE user
 2000 / W2K
Server\WinStations\R llAppTim G_S proce
0 3 / W2
DP- eout Z sses
K8
Tcp\UserOverride\Co to
ntrol Panel\Desktop end
after
the
user
attem
pts to
log
off
Chan
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur ges
rentControlSet\Contro the
 W2K 
l\Terminal  RE Start
 MenuSho / W2K
Server\WinStations\R G_S  10 menu
wDelay 3 / W2
DP- Z displ
K8
Tcp\UserOverride\Co ay
ntrol Panel\Desktop interv
al
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  CursorBli  RE  -1 Speci  W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro nkRate G_S fies / W2K
l\Terminal Z how 3 / W2
Server\WinStations\R much K8
 time
elaps
es
betw
een
DP-
each
Tcp\UserOverride\Co
blink
ntrol Panel\Desktop
of the
select
ion
curso
r
Enabl
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur
es /
rentControlSet\Contro  RE
Disab
l\Terminal G_  W2K
 DisableC les
Server\WinStations\R DW  1 3 / W2
ursorBlink Curs
DP- OR K8
or
Tcp\UserOverride\Co D
BLin
ntrol Panel\Desktop
k
Speci
fies
what
appea
rs on
the
scree
n
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur while
rentControlSet\Contro a user
 W2K 
l\Terminal  RE drags
 DragFull / W2K
Server\WinStations\R G_S  0 a
Windows 3 / W2
DP- Z wind
K8
Tcp\UserOverride\Co ow /
ntrol Panel\Desktop Only
the
outlin
e of
the
wind
ow
move
s
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  SmoothS  RE  0 Scrol  W2K 
rentControlSet\Contro croll G_ ls / W2K
l\Terminal DW using 3 / W2
Server\WinStations\R OR smoo K8
DP- D th
Tcp\UserOverride\Co scroll
ntrol Panel\Desktop ing
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur
Sets
rentControlSet\Contro
Wall  W2K 
l\Terminal  RE
 Wallpape  (non paper / W2K
Server\WinStations\R G_S
r e) to 3 / W2
DP- Z
"Non K8
Tcp\UserOverride\Co
e"
ntrol Panel\Desktop
Disab
led.
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur
Wind
rentControlSet\Contro
ow
l\Terminal
does  W2K 
Server\WinStations\R  RE
 MinAnim not / W2K
DP- G_S  0
ate anim 3 / W2
Tcp\UserOverride\Co Z
ate K8
ntrol
while
Panel\Desktop\Windo
being
wsMetrics
resize
d
Opti
mizes
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur Expl
rentControlSet\Contro  RE orer
 W2K 
l\Terminal G_ and
 Interactiv / W2K
Server\WinStations\R DW  40 Start
eDelay 3 / W2
DP- OR Menu 
K8
Tcp\UserOverride\Co D respo
ntrol Panel\Desktop nses
Time
s
Serve
 RE r
HKLM\System\Curre  W2K 
G_ Servi
ntControlSet\Services  MaxWor / W2K
DW  512 ce
\LanmanServer\Para kItems 3 / W2
OR Opti
meters K8
D mizat
ion
Serve
 RE r
HKLM\System\Curre  W2K 
G_ Servi
ntControlSet\Services  MaxMpx / W2K
DW  2048 ce
\LanmanServer\Para Ct 3 / W2
OR Opti
meters K8
D mizat
ion 
HKLM\System\Curre  MaxFree  RE  100 Serve  W2K 
ntControlSet\Services Connectio G_ r / W2K
\LanmanServer\Para ns DW Servi 3 / W2
 ce
OR Opti
meters K8
D mizat
ion
Serve
 RE r
HKLM\System\Curre  W2K 
 MinFree G_ Servi
ntControlSet\Services / W2K
Connectio DW  32 ce
\LanmanServer\Para 3 / W2
ns OR Opti
meters K8
D mizat
ion
Incre
 RE
HKLM\System\Curre ases  W2K 
G_
ntControlSet\Services  MaxCmd Netw / W2K
DW  2048
\LanmanWorkstation\ s ork 3 / W2
OR
Parameters capac K8
D
ity
 RE
HKLM\System\Curre Disab  W2K 
G_
ntControlSet\Services  UtilizeNT le / W2K
DW  0
\LanmanWorkstation\ Caching Cachi 3 / W2
OR
Parameters ng K8
D
Maxi
 RE mum
HKLM\System\Curre  W2K 
G_ Conc
ntControlSet\Services  MaxThre / W2K
DW  17 urren
\LanmanWorkstation\ ads 3 / W2
OR t
Parameters K8
D Threa
ds
Disab
 RE les
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  W2K 
G_ Oppo
rentControlSet\Servic  OplocksD / W2K
DW  1 rtunis
es\MRXSmb\Paramet isabled 3 / W2
OR tic
ers K8
D Locki
ng
Disab
 RE les
HLM\SYSTEM\Curr  W2K 
 UseOppo G_ Oppo
entControlSet\Service / W2K
rtunisticL DW  0 rtunis
s\Lanmanworkstation\ 3 / W2
ocking OR tic
Parameters K8
D Locki
ng 
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  EnableOp  RE  0 Disab  W2K 
rentControlSet\Servic locks G_ les / W2K
es\Lanmanserver\Para DW Oppo 3 / W2
meters OR rtunis K8
D tic
 Locki
ng  
Opti
mizes
Netw
ork
Perfo
rman
ces
 RE
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur for  W2K 
G_
rentControlSet\Servic Appli / W2K
 Size DW  3
es\lanmanserver\Para catio 3 / W2
OR
meters ns K8
D
(Alon
g
with
Large
Syste
mCac
he)
 RE Regis
 W2K 
HKLM\System\Curre  RegistryL G_ try
/ W2K
ntControlSet\Control\ azyFlushI DW  30 Flush
3 / W2
Session Manager nterval OR Inter
K8
D val
Disab
HKLM\SOFTWARE\ le
Microsoft\Active Outlo
Setup\Installed  RE ok  W2K 
Components\  StubPath G_S  "" Expr / W2K
{44BBA840-CC51- Z ess 3
11CF-AAFA- Icon
00AA00B6015C} Creat
ion
Disab
le
HKLM\SOFTWARE\
Wind
Microsoft\Active
ows
Setup\Installed   RE  W2K 
Addr
Components\  StubPath G_S  "" / W2K
ess
{7790769C-0471- Z 3
Book
11d2-AF11-
Icon
00C04FA35D02}
Creat
ion
HKLM\SOFTWARE\  DefaultD  RE  Your Sets  W2K 
Microsoft\Windows omainNa G_S Defau Defa / W2K
NT\CurrentVersion\ me Z ltDo ult 3 / W2
Winlogon main Logo K8
 n
Dom
ain
Allo
w
Mand
atory
Profil
es
Confi
gurati
on
via
GPO. 
 RE This
HKLM\SOFTWARE\  WFDont
G_ Settin
Policies\Microsoft\Wi AppendUs  W2K
DW  1 g
ndows NT\Terminal erNameTo 3
OR needs
Services Profile
D KB9
0801
1 or
W2K
3 SP2
to be 
instal
led
on
each
Serve
r
Disab
le
'Mail
and
 RE
HKLM\SOFTWARE\ News  W2K 
G_
Policies\Microsoft\Int  RestGoM ' / W2K
DW  1
ernet enu Menu 3 / W2
OR
Explorer\Restrictions from K8
D
Inter
net
Expl
orer
HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur  EnableOf  RE  0 Reco  
rentControlSet\Servic fload G_ mme
es\BNNS\Parameters DW nd
OR Perfo
D rman
ce
Best
 Practi
ce
when
Your
Xen
App
Serve
rs are
Depl
oyed
via
Provi
sioni
ng
Serve
r
Along with these registry settings, do not forget to install UPHClean (W2K / W2K3) to
manage profiles at logoff and ensure no lock will remain leading to profiles corruption and
long logoff times.

UPHClean is natively embedded into Windows 2008 and later (User Profile Service).

 Also, as a Best Practice, it is recommended to Disable Data Execution Prevention on

Windows 2003 and Windows 2008.

To do so, you have to modify the boot.ini file or use one of the following command line(s)

 For Windows 2003 : bootcfg.exe /raw /fastdetect /noexecute=AlwaysOff /ID 1

 For Windows 2008 : bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

Additional Windows Explorer Tuning

The following Tuning Values are an extract from an Helge Klein blog post and were added
on June, 1rst 2009 (Thanks to Laurent Falguiere for pointing these settings in his comment)

D Plat
Typ
Registry Hive Value at Purpose(s) for
e
a m(s)
HKLM\SOFTWARE  UseDes  RE  1 http://suppor  W2
\Microsoft\Windows\ ktopIniC G_ t.microsoft.c K3 / 
 DW
CurrentVersion\Polic om/kb/8403 W2
ache OR
ies\Explorer 09/EN-US K8
D
http://suppor
HKLM\SOFTWARE  NoRem
 RE t.microsoft.c  W2
G_
\Microsoft\Windows\ oteRecur om/?scid=kb K3 / 
DW  1
CurrentVersion\Polic siveEven %3Ben-us W2
OR
ies\Explorer ts %3B330929 K8
D
&x=9&y=10
http://suppor
HKLM\SOFTWARE
 RE t.microsoft.c
 W2
 NoRem G_ om/?scid=kb
\Microsoft\Windows\ K3 / 
oteChang DW  1 %3Ben-us
CurrentVersion\Polic W2
eNotify OR %3B812669
ies\Explorer K8
D &x=14&y=1
2
http://suppor
HKLM\SOFTWARE
  RE
t.microsoft.c  W2
 StartRun G_
\Microsoft\Windows\ om/?scid=kb K3 / 
NoHOM DW  1
CurrentVersion\Polic %3Ben-us W2
EPATH OR
ies\Explorer %3B264061 K8
D
&x=18&y=9
http://suppor
 RE
HKLM\SOFTWARE t.microsoft.c  W2
 NoRece G_
\Microsoft\Windows\ om/?scid=kb K3 /
ntDocsN DW  1
CurrentVersion\Polic %3Ben-us W2
etHood OR
ies\Explorer %3B264061 K8
D
&x=18&y=9
http://suppor
 RE t.microsoft.c
HKLM\SOFTWARE  NoDetai  W2
G_ om/?scid=kb
\Microsoft\Windows\ lsThumb K3 / 
DW  1 %3Ben-us
CurrentVersion\Polic nailOnN W2
OR %3B830903
ies\Explorer etwork K8
D &x=17&y=1
8
 RE
HKLM\System\Curre http://suppor  W2
G_
ntControlSet\Service  InfoCac  1 t.microsoft.c K3 / 
DW
s\MRXSmb\Paramet heLevel 6 om/kb/8343 W2
OR
ers 50/EN-US K8
D
 RE
http://suppor  W2
HKCR\*\shellex\Pro  Suppres G_  6
t.microsoft.c K3 /
pertySheetHandlers\ sionPolic DW 55
om/kb/8297 W2
CryptoSignMenu y OR 36
00/EN-US K8
D
HKCR\*\shellex\Pro  Suppres  RE  6 http://suppor  W2
pertySheetHandlers\ sionPolic G_ 55 t.microsoft.c K3 /
{3EA48300-8CF6- y DW 36 om/kb/8297 W2
 101B-84FB- OR
00/EN-US K8
666CCB9BCD32} D
HKCR\*\shellex\Pro  RE
http://suppor  W2
pertySheetHandlers\  Suppres G_  6
t.microsoft.c K3 / 
{883373C3-BF89- sionPolic DW 55
om/kb/8297 W2
11D1-BE35- y OR 36
00/EN-US K8
080036B11A03} D
 RE
HKLM\SOFTWARE  1 http://suppor  W2
G_
\Microsoft\Windows\ 05 t.microsoft.c K3 / 
 Flags DW
CurrentVersion\explo 16 om/kb/8297 W2
OR
rer\SCAPI 50 00/EN-US K8
D
 RE
http://suppor
HKLM\\SYSTEM\C  SafeDll G_
t.microsoft.c  W2
urrentControlSet\Con SearchM DW  1
om/kb/3068 K
trol\Session Manager ode OR
50/EN-US
D
http://suppor
 RE
t.microsoft.c  W2
HKLM\\SYSTEM\C  SafePro G_
om/?scid=kb K3 / 
urrentControlSet\Con cessSear DW  1
%3Ben-us W2
trol\Session Manager chMode OR
%3B905890 K8
D
&x=13&y=9
 

XenApp Tuning

Plat
Dat Purp
Registry Hive Value Type for
a ose(s)
m(s)
Disab
les  Xen
 REG  134 Loggi App
HKLM\Software\Citrix\  DefaultPr
_DW 217 ng of 4.X
Print nFlags
ORD 728 Print /
Event 5.X
s
HKLM\Software\Citrix\  DefaultPr  REG  536 Ensur  Xen
Print nFlags _DW 870 es App
ORD 912 Autoc 4.X
reated /
printe 5.X 
rs
 ACL
are
alway
s
enfor
ced
Ensur
es
IMA
LMS
will
 REG  Xen
HKLM\Software\Citrix\  EnableTr work
_DW  1 App
IMA\LMS anslation on
ORD 4.0
MUI
Opera
ting
Syste
ms
Hides
the
Lang  Xen
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre  LangBar  REG uage App
ntControlSet\Control\Ci Deminimi _DW  1 bar if 4.X
trix\wfshell\TWI zerFlags ORD it is /
not 5.X 
neede
d
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre  Seamless  REG  524 Won't  Xen
ntControlSet\Control\Ci Flags _DW 288 Sync App
trix\wfshell\TWI ORD the 4.X
Work /
Area 5.X 
withi
n
Seam
less
Appli
cation
:
Appli
cation
's
Title
Bar
will
be
"nor
mal"
when
 acces
sed fr
om
client
s usin
g
the W
indo
ws
XP / 
Vista
Them
es 
Speci
fied
modu
les
will
be
force
d to  Xen
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre  LogoffCh  wis unloa App
 REG
ntControlSet\Control\Ci eckSysMo tpis. d 4.X
_SZ
trix\wfshell\TWI dules exe when /
the 5.X 
publis
hed
applic
ation
will
be
exited
 Deter
mines
wheth
er
user
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre proce
ntControlSet\Control\Te sses  Xen
rminal end App
 AutoEnd  REG
Server\WinStations\ICA  1 auto 4.X
Tasks _SZ
- matic /
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr ally 5.X
ol Panel\Desktop when
the
user
either
logs
off.
 Deter
mines
how
long
the
syste
m
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre
waits
ntControlSet\Control\Te  Xen
for
rminal  WaitToK App
 REG  200 user
Server\WinStations\ICA illAppTim 4.X
_SZ 00 proce
- eout /
sses
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr 5.X
to end
ol Panel\Desktop
after
the
user
attem
pts to
log
off
Chan
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre ges
ntControlSet\Control\Te the  Xen
rminal Start App
 MenuSho  REG
Server\WinStations\ICA  10 menu 4.X
wDelay _SZ
- displa /
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr y 5.X
ol Panel\Desktop interv
al
Speci
fies
how
much
time
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre
elaps
ntControlSet\Control\Te  Xen
es
rminal App
 CursorBli  REG betwe
Server\WinStations\ICA  -1 4.X
nkRate _SZ en
- /
each
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr 5.X
blink
ol Panel\Desktop
of the
select
ion
curso
r
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre DisableCu REG_  1 Enabl Xen
ntControlSet\Control\Te rsorBlink DWO es / App
rminal RD Disab 4.X
Server\WinStations\ICA les /
- Curso
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr r 5.X
ol Panel\Desktop Blink
Speci
fies
what
appea
rs on
the
scree
n
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre while
ntControlSet\Control\Te a user  Xen
rminal drags App
 DragFull  REG
Server\WinStations\ICA  0 a 4.X
Windows _SZ
- wind /
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr ow / 5.X
ol Panel\Desktop Only
the
outlin
e of
the
wind
ow
move
s
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre Scroll
ntControlSet\Control\Te s  Xen
rminal  REG using App
 SmoothS
Server\WinStations\ICA _DW  0 smoot 4.X
croll
- ORD h /
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr scroll 5.X
ol Panel\Desktop ing
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre
Sets
ntControlSet\Control\Te  Xen
Wallp
rminal App
 Wallpape  REG  (no aper
Server\WinStations\ICA 4.X
r _SZ ne) to
- /
"Non
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr 5.X
e" 
ol Panel\Desktop
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre  MinAnim  REG  0 Disab  Xen
ntControlSet\Control\Te ate _SZ led. App
rminal Wind 4.X
Server\WinStations\ICA ow /
- does 5.X
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr not
ol anima
Panel\Desktop\Window te
 while
being
sMetrics
resize
d 
Opti
mizes
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre Explo
ntControlSet\Control\Te rer  Xen
rminal  REG and App
 Interactiv
Server\WinStations\ICA _DW  40 Start 4.X
eDelay
- ORD Menu  /
Tcp\UserOverride\Contr respo 5.X
ol Panel\Desktop nses
Time
s
HKLM\SYSTEM\Curre  Start  REG  2 On  Xen
ntControlSet\Services\C _DW Enter App
TXCPUREBal ORD prise 4.X
Serve /
rs 5.X
Only,
with
Multi
ples
CPU
Only.
Enabl
es the
"Citri
x
CPU
Rebal
ancin
g
Servi
ce"
which
is
respo
nsible
for
sprea
ding
non
multi
cpu
applic
ations
loads
 to all
CPUs
.
 

User Profile Tuning

The following settings are designed to tune the Default user profile. I'm mainly using them within Mandatory
Profiles or Template Profile for Citrix Portable Profiles.

D
Purpo
Registry Hive Value
Type at
se(s)
a
 Deter
mines
wheth
er
user
proces
ses
end
 AutoEnd  REG
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop  1 autom
Tasks _SZ
aticall
y
when
the
user
either
logs
off.
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop  WaitToK  REG  2 Deter
illAppTi _SZ 00 mines
meout 00 how
long
the
syste
m
waits
for
user
proces
ses to
end
after
the
 user
attem
pts to
log
off
Chang
es the
Start
 MenuSh  REG  1 menu
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop
owDelay _SZ 0 displa
y
interv
al
Specif
ies
how
much
time
elapse
s
 CursorBl  REG
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop  -1 betwe
inkRate _SZ
en
each
blink
of the
selecti
on
cursor
Enabl
es /
 DisableC  REG Disabl
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop ursorBlin _DW  1 es
k ORD Curso
r
Blink
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop  DragFull  REG  0 Specif
Windows _SZ ies
what
appear
s on
the
screen
while
a user
drags
a
windo
w/
 Only
the
outlin
e of
the
windo
w
moves
Scroll
s
 REG using
 SmoothS
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop _DW  0 smoot
croll
ORD h
scrolli
ng
Sets
Wallp
 (n
 Wallpape  REG aper
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop on
r _SZ to
e)
"None
" 
Disabl
ed.
Wind
ow
does
HKCU\Control  MinAni  REG not
 0
Panel\WindowsMetrics mate _SZ anima
te
while
being
resize
d 
Optim
izes
Explo
rer
 REG
 Interactiv  4 and
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop _DW
eDelay 0 Start
ORD
Menu 
respon
ses
Times
HKCU\\Software\Microsoft\W  VisualF  REG  2 Sets
indows\CurrentVersion\Explor XSetting _DW Visual
er\VisualEffects ORD effects
to
"Opti
 mize
for
Best
Perfor
mance
s"
Force
Intern
et
Explo
 Force
 REG re to
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Int Offscreen
_DW  1 use Of
ernet Explorer\Main Composit
ORD fscree
ion
n
Comp
ositio
n
Disabl
 Disable es
 REG
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\C Thread Langu
_DW  1
TF Input age
ORD
Manager Bar
1/4
Disabl
es
 ExtraIco  REG
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\C Langu
nsOnMini _DW  0
TF\LangBar age
mized ORD
Bar
2/4
Disabl
es
 REG
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\C  ShowStat Langu
_DW  2
TF\LangBar us age
ORD
Bar
3/4
Disabl
es
 REG
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\C  ShowDes Langu
_DW  1
TF\MSUTB kBand age
ORD
Bar
4/4
 

XenApp Client Tuning

 

The following settings are designed to tune / debug the XenApp / XenDesktop ICA Client. These tips are
extracted from an article originally published on Jim Moyle's Blog. I'd like to thank him for contacting me
and asking me to add them to our existing tuning Article.

Descrip Key Value Name Value

tion
Automatical
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFT CbChainInterval <value> 0-
ly repair WARE \Citrix\ICA 2000 valid
clipboardClient\Engine\Configuration\Advanc
chain ed \Modules\WFClient
CTX11243
4
Prevent HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFT ucConnTimeout<string value>
long logonWARE \Citrix\ICA needs to be
script time
Client\Engine\Configuration\Advanc >20
breakinged \Modules\WFClient\
session
sharing
CTX11
4379
Log the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFT LogFile=<pathLogICAFile=tr
to file
Launch.icaWARE \Citrix\ICA to log to that you
ue
file to a Client\Engine\Configuration\Advanc
want, use following
Client ed \Modules\Logging format
Local File C:\ica\ica.log>
CTX11530
4
Disable HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFT Remove relevant  
selected WARE \Citrix\ICA value
virtual Client\Engine\Configuration\Advanc
channelsed \Modules\ICA 3.0
from the
client side
CTX11689
0
Revert toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SoftwaReprocessEMFDriver
<driver
9.x printing
re \Citrix\ICA Client List name>
behaviour
for a
specific
driver
CTX11555
3
 Allow moreHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ MaxOpenContext<value> eg 50
than 20 SOFTWARE\Citrix\ICA
client files
Client\Engine\Configuration\Advanc
open from eda\Modules\ClientDrive
client
mapped
drive
CTX11
7315
Prevent aHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ TWIShrinkWorkArea
Value: 5
seamlessSOFTWARE\Citrix\ICA
window Client\Engine\Lockdown Profiles\All
from Regions\Lockdown\Virtual
permanentlChannels\Seamless Windows
y hiding a
minimized
taskbar
CTX82
1811
Allow HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ VirtualChanne “”
Custom SOFTWARE\Citrix\ICA ls
Virtual Client\Engine\Lockdown Profiles\All
ChannelsRegions\Lockdown\Virtual
in
ICA afterChannels\Third Party\CustomVC
upgrading
from an
earlier
client
CTX11
3279
How to useHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ ICAPrntScrn <value> eg
print screen
SOFTWARE\Citrix\ICA Key F12
in ICA Client\Engine\Configuration\Advanc
sessions ed \Modules\WFClient
CTX11
3344
Make a HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ TWISeamlessFlag
1
seamlessSoftware\Citrix\ICA
window theClient\Engine\Configuration\Advanc
focus as ed \Modules\WFClient
soon as it
activates
CTX11
2499
 

Microsoft Office Tuning
 

The following settings are designed to tune Microsoft Office Applications for Terminal services / XenApp
Use.

To use with your Office Version, Replace the #OfficeVersion# token with :

 9.0 for Microsoft Office 2000

 10.0 for Microsoft Office XP
 11.0 for Microsoft Office 2003
 12.0 for Microsoft Office 2007

When a token is not specified that's because the Tip do not apply to all versions

D
a Purpos
Registry Hive Value Type
t e(s)
a
Always
Save in
Current
 AlwaysS  REG
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Of Path(Ev
aveToCu _DW  1
fice\11.0\Excel\Options en
rrentPath ORD
Remote
Docume
nts)
Word :
Disable
HKLM\Software\Policies\Micr  REG
 fSplBkg s Check
osoft\Office\#OfficeVersion#\Wo _DW  0
_99_1 Spelling
rd\Options\vpref ORD
as You
Type
Word :
Disable
HKLM\Software\Policies\Micr  fGramB  REG s Check
osoft\Office\#OfficeVersion#\Wo kg_535_ _DW  0 Gramm
rd\Options 1 ORD ar as
You
Type
Word :
Disable
HKLM\Software\Policies\Micr  fCorrect  REG s Text
osoft\Office\#OfficeVersion#\Wo Typing_1 _DW  0 Replace
rd\Options\Assist 6_1 ORD ment As
You
Type
 Excel :
Disable
s
HKLM\Software\Policies\Micr  fAnimati  REG Provide
osoft\Office\#OfficeVersion#\Exc onsOK_1 _DW  0 a
el\Options 29_1 ORD Feedbac
k With
Animati
on
Powerp
oint :
HKLM\SYSTEM\Software\Po  Backgro  REG Disable
licies\Microsoft\Office\#Office und spell _DW  0 s Check
Version#\PowerPoint\Options checking ORD Spelling
as You
Type
 Manag
es the
Display
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Of  0 of the
 REG
fice\11.0\Common\Open o Desktop
 Show _DW
Find\Places\StandardPlaces\De r link
ORD
sktop 1 Within
Office
Places
Bar
 Manag
es the
Display
of
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Of  0
 REG the My
fice\11.0\Common\Open o
 Show _DW Comput
Find\Places\StandardPlaces\M r
ORD er link
yComputer 1
Within
Office
Places
Bar
 Manag
es the
Display
   of
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Of
 REG 0 the My 
fice\11.0\Common\Open
 Show _DW o Docume
Find\Places\StandardPlaces\M
ORD r nts link
yDocuments
1 Within
Office
Places
Bar
  Manag
es the
Display
of
  
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Of the Net
 REG 0
fice\11.0\Common\Open work
 Show _DW o
Find\Places\StandardPlaces\Pu Locatio
ORD r
blishing ns link
1
Within
Office
Places
Bar
 Manag
es the
Display
of
  
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Of the Rec
 REG 0
fice\11.0\Common\Open ent
 Show _DW o
Find\Places\StandardPlaces\Re Docume
ORD r
cent nts link
1
Within
Office
Places
Bar
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Comments

# bsorenson
Friday, July 24, 2009 8:37 PM
We just saw an instance where a .NET application, Peachtree 2009 and 2010 would NOT
load screens due to the CursorBlinkRate being changed. It took us over 100 hours of time
with more then 40 hours on the phone with Peachtree to narrow it down and find it. Setting it
breaks the Peachtree application and it's related to those screens being written in .NET.

Just posting this as many of our optimizations came from this site for our Terminal Server
environment. Beware!

Thanks,
Bill Sorenson
bsorenson@ivdesk.com
www.IVDesk.com
# Pierre Marmignon
Friday, July 24, 2009 9:04 PM
Dear Bill,

Sorry for the side effects you've encountered.

I've never seen such a problem with the Cursor Blink Rate being modified in years of use.

Thanks for your feedback.

Best Regards,

Pierre

# Sam
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:31 PM
i remember that there was a guy who made an adm template with these settings so u can
enforce them via gpo , is that still available ? and did he updated it ?

# Pierre Marmignon
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:37 PM
Hi,

Yes there is an adm with these settings. You can find it on The XenApp Blog

Pierre

# Pierre Marmignon
Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:47 AM
Alexander Ervik has also released an admx template with these tuning settings.

The Admx file is available at Ervik.as

# FD
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 11:10 AM
Hi Pierre,
I remeber from the old Methodology in a Box from DABCC that the
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl Win32PrioritySeparation
should be set to backgroung process (value of 24) rather than foregroung (value of 38)
because of the way sessions are managed. would it be possible to investigate a little more on
that settings? BTW it is possible to change that setting via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
-> System -> Advanced Tab -> Performance Options
-> Set Application response to ‘Background services’

Regards,
FD

# Pierre Marmignon
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 5:16 PM
Dear FD, Yes you're right !

I've always set it to optimize "For applications" (even if other articles were saying to set it to
"Background Services") because even it's not a "ideal" setting for Terminal Server / XenApp
Servers it boosts the CPU Scheduling.

However, for some XenApp requirements, you could have to set it back to "BackGround
Services".

You can read this nice article about it from Jeremy Saunder's about it !

Best Regards,

Pierre

# vvuccino
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 4:15 PM
Hi

Thanks for this post.

For me HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VisualEffects
doesn't work.(option box doesnt changed in advanced settings)

But I try in HKCU, and here it works fine. (option box are well Displayed in advanced
settongs)

Do you think it's just the display or settings are in HKCU ?

Bye

Vincent

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