Universal Desktop Client

A systems administrator will spend a good proportion of the day connected to servers or remote computers, often many at a time. It can be difficult keeping track of different connection definitions, using different protocols, with different credentials. And with multiple connections open, it's difficult enough just keeping track of which window is which.
Universal Desktop Client
That's where Universal Desktop Client can help.

Universal Desktop Client provides a convenient interface for managing connections to remote computers. With support for the Microsoft RDP, Citrix ICA and VNC protocols, Universal Desktop Client allows for the creation of multiple connection definitions that can be operated within a simple tabbed interface.

The connection definitions can be organised into categories or folders. Each connection can have its own stored credentials, or can simply inherit credentials set at the folder level. So when your administrative account password expires, you don't need to change the saved password for every connection, just change it once on the folder containing them.

The features available for each connection type reflect the features that exist in the native clients.

RDP connections support local device mapping, clipboard sharing, connection profile options (such as the ability to disable themes and wallpapers) and direct connections to the remote machine's console. RDP connections take advantage of the SmartScaling function built into the native RDP client. Active connections can be 'detached' from the main application window and reduced in size. The remote screen will simply zoom to fit - great if you are just watching a progress bar slowly moving across the screen on a remote computer. When complete, just click the 'dock' button to restore the session back into a tab and carry on as normal.

ICA connections not only support direct connections to servers but also to published resources. Universal Desktop Client can even query the Citrix environment over TCP or HTTP to enumerate applications available in the environment. Local drive mapping is subject to the same permissions checks as the native client. If the Citrix farm allows it, local printers will be mapped through, using the Universal Print Driver if so configured. Universal Desktop Client even allows for multiple concurrent connections to the same published resource, each with different credentials; something that's impossible using the native Citrix client.

All stored credentials can be protected by a master password, entered when the applications starts. All stored passwords are encrypted using the master password, so if your workstation is stolen or compromised, Universal Desktop Client cannot be used to connect to remote computers using your credentials.

Originally developed as an internal tool for our consultants to use, Universal Desktop Client has proven to be an invaluable tool for clients and fellow IT professionals alike. Clients have even asked us to include Universal Desktop Client in Citrix XenApp server deployments.   Therefore, Idea 11 has decided to make Universal Desktop Client available, for free, to the wider IT community. Enjoy!

Download: Universal Desktop Client 1.6 - MSI - 1.3MB
SHA1 Checksum: EEF95D1BC4E9B7EB47327C71EDA8C19D660FF0D6

Requirements:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (Client Profile)
  • Microsoft RDP Client version 6.1 or later
  • For ICA functionality, Citrix Online Plug-in version 11.0 or later must already be installed
Version History:
  • Version 1.6
    Ability to import connection files from previous editions of UDC
    Changes to connections no longer require connection tabs to be re-opened
    Changed session button styles
    Bug-fixes and stability improvements
    User-controlled automated submission of bug reports to Idea 11's API web service.
  • Version 1.5
    Added support for multiple folder levels
    Added ability to import .RDP files
    Added option to automatically resize ICA connections to fit window
    Added option to save screenshots to PNG
    Changed session button labels back to text
    Bug-fixes
  • Version 1.4
    Added master password function
    Added screenshot to clipboard option
    Changed session button labels to icons
    Bug-fixes
  • Version 1.3
    Initial public release