Below are instructions to thinapp the VMware Horizon View Client. (version 5.4.0 build 1219906)
A Thinapp-ed version of the VMware Horizon View client might be very useful in situations where you do not want to or cannot install software on your Windows PC.
Environment
Capture & build machine:
- Windows XP SP3 – 32 bit (fully patched)
- Install latest VMware Thinapp version (4.7.3 build 891762 at the time of writing)
- Make sure the capture & build machine has Internet access
- Download the latest VMware Horizon View client for 32-bit Windows from http://www.vmware.com/go/viewclients
- Copy the VMware Horizon View Client installation files to the capture & build machine
- Install VMware Tools if they are not yet installed
- Uninstall Microsoft Microsoft Visual C++
Prescan
Launch Thinapp Setup Capture
Click “Prescan”
When the prescan is finished minimize the Setup Capture wizard
Application installation
Install VMware View Client
- Custom setup: Do not install “USB redirection” component
- Default View Connection Server: leave blank or type your preferred View connection server
- Enhanced Single Sign-On: leave defaults
- Create Shortcuts: Only select “Desktop”
- When the installation finished there is no need to restart as drivers are not applicable for this package
Launch View Client
Select Options
Check “Autoconnect: Always connect to this server at startup”
Exit
PostScan
Maximize the Setup Capture wizard
Click “Postscan”
Entry Points:
- Select only “VMware Horizon View Client.exe”
- Click “Next”
Manage with Horizon:
- Do not select “Manage with VMware Horizon Application Manager”
- Click “Next”
Groups:
- Select “Everyone”
- Click “Next”
Isolation:
- Select “Full write access..”
- Click “Next”
Sandbox location:
- Select “User Profile”
- Click “Next”
Quality Assurance Statistics:
- Select “No – Do not send any information to VMware”
- Click “Next”
Project Settings:
- Inventory name: VMware Horizon View Client
- Project location: choose location where you want to store the thinapped application
- Click “Next”
Package Settings:
- Primary data container:
- Select “Use one of the entry points:”
- Do not select “Generate MSI package”
- Do not select “Compress virtual package”
- Click “Save”
Ready to build
- Click “Open Project Folder”
- A new Windows Explorer window will open automatically
- Delete the below from the project folder
%Common AppData%\VMware\VDM\logs
> debug and log txt files
%Local AppData%\VMware\VDM\logs
> debug and log txt files
%Program Files Common%\VMware
> VMware Virtual Printing (this feature is not available in ThinApp virtual application)
%ProgramFilesDir%\VMware\VMware View\Client\bin
wswc_de_de_407.dll
wswc_fr_fr_40c.dll
wswc_ja_jp_411.dll
wswc_ko_kr_412.dll
wswc_zh_cn_804.dll
%ProgramFilesDir%\VMware\VMware View\Client\bin\messages
> all folders (EXCEPT “en” if it is available)
%ProgramFilesDir%\VMware\VMware View\Client\DCT
%ProgramFilesDir%\VMware\VMware View\Client\extras
> vdm_client.adm
%SystemRoot%\Installer
- Close the Windows explorer folder
- Click “Edit Package.ini”
Notepad will open the file package.ini
Change “Compressiontype=None” to “CompressionType=Fast”
Change “;MSIStreaming=0” to “MSIStreaming=1” Make sure you remove the “;” before the line
Add the following lines just before the [Isolation] section
[Filelist]
ExcludePattern=*.bak,*.msi.*.mst,*.cab,*msp
Close notepad and save the file package.ini in it’s default location
- Click “Build”
- Click “Finish”
The end result is a single executable file of +/- 62 MB