Use Citrix Receiver to access your applications and desktops. Detect Receiver If you do not want to detect/install Citrix Receiver you can use the light version, with fewer features, in your browser. The app was announced to play the role of the focal point of the end-user Citrix Workspace experience. It is the successor of Citrix Receiver, a software used primarily for connecting users to.
Citrix Receiver is client software that is required to access applications and full desktops hosted on Citrix servers from a remote client device. This tool provides access to Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp)/Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) installations from different types of client devices including iPhone, BlackBerry, Mac OS X, iPad, Windows, Linux, Windows Mobile, Android, Google Chromebook, thin clients, and embedded operating systems.
“Citrix Receiver” works with the HDX protocol built on top of the ICA protocol. The ICA protocol sends keyboard and mouse input to the remote server and receives screenshot updates on the client device. The Receiver handles this traffic. HDX protocol extends this procedure by providing a high definition experience of Windows applications to users working on many of the most well-known devices. Citrix Receiver is available for different operating systems. When you visit the Citrix Receiver download page, it automatically detects the OS and prompts you with the correct client software to download. Citrix Receiver connects remote client devices to Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp), Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop), Citrix Access Gateway, XenVault Secure Storage, and other Citrix services.
Challenges with Citrix Receiver
As with every Citrix component, Citrix Receiver has gone through multiple changes. It was previously known as ICA Client. Before the release of Receiver, there were multiple client software components such as Secure Access Gateway Client, ICA Client, and Password Manager Client. Configuration and management of multiple products and components were a big challenge. Later, Citrix changed these components into plug-ins and combined them into one product called Citrix Receiver 1.0. With the release of Citrix 3.0, this product was split into Receiver Updater and Receiver Insider. It was again changed to Citrix Receiver Enterprise. The current product, Citrix Receiver, is now a suite of components, including the online web plug-in and self-service plug-in. The combination of plug-ins varies with the client’s form factor and specifications.
While there are no performance issues with the Citrix Receiver, the presence of multiple products and components is confusing. Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) is available in different editions with different pricing and feature sets. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) is also available in three editions. Customers have to scour through multiple products and features. Moreover, configuring these components is complicated and time-consuming. Citrix software also comes with a high price tag, and not many businesses can afford it.
Citrix receiver security vulnerabilities
There are many challenges with the Citrix receiver, and its security vulnerabilities make a major part of it.
A vulnerability (CVE-2019-11634) identified in the Citrix Workspace app and Receiver for Windows might potentially allow attackers to read or write the client’s local drives, allowing and enabling code execution on the client device. The reason for this is that the vulnerability results in the local drive access preferences not being enforced.
This vulnerability affects all versions of the Citrix Workspace app for Windows and Receiver for Windows and has only been fixed in Citrix Workspace app version 1904 or later. As for the Receiver for windows, it has only been fixed from 4.9 CU6 version 4.9.6001.
The mitigating factor Citrix puts forward to deal with this issue is to upgrade to the latest Citrix Workspace app for Windows and Receiver for Windows. It is safe to state that this is not always possible. Hence, as an alternative, Citrix mentions that applying the Client Selective Trust Policy via GPO is the only best way to limit the exploitability.
But that’s not all.
In June 2020, Citrix identified two critical vulnerabilities code-named “CVE-2020-13884” and “CVE-2020-13885”. These vulnerabilities affect all the supported versions of Citrix Receiver for Windows and Citrix Workspace app for Windows (before version 1912). When triggered, they affect the processing of the file “citrix.exe,” leading to privilege escalations.
Just as is the previous case with “CVE-2019-11634”, Citrix advised its customers to upgrade their Citrix Receivers. In this instance, Citrix recommends users to upgrade Citrix Receivers to the Citrix Workspace app. Citrix recommends users to upgrade to Citrix Receiver 4.9.9002 for Windows LTSR Cumulative Update 9 or later if they are still using Citrix Receiver 4.9 for Windows LTSR.
Citrix Receiver is deprecated
Although you can still download and use Citrix Receiver, it’s no longer recommended. That’s because, since August 2018, Citrix already introduced a new client software named Citrix Workspace app. Citrix Workspace, which has all the capabilities of Citrix Receiver, is supposed replace Receiver and is backward compatible with older Citrix infrastructure.
Despite still being available for download, Citrix Receiver no longer receives patches and updates. So, if you continue using it, you’re bound to encounter several issues along the way. For example, you won’t be able to connect to Citrix Cloud, which requires at least TLS 1.2 to secure its connections. Citrix Receiver only supports TLS 1.0 and 1.1.
The presence of both Citrix Receiver and Citrix Workspace is causing a lot of confusion among Citrix users, especially those who have grown accustomed to Citrix Receiver and are still using it in their endpoint devices. Parallels RAS avoids this confusion by maintaining a single client software — Parallels Client.
The Parallels Client simplifies application delivery
Parallels Client is a simple tool that lets you access centrally hosted resources from any device, anytime, and from any network. It is free to download and use. It uses SSL and second-level authentication, which means resources are securely transferred through the network. It works with every type of OS and platform, including iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, Linux, Mac, and Google Chromebooks. The Parallels Client leverages the Microsoft RemoteFX protocol to deliver a high definition user experience to remote clients. Parallels Client is the best alternative to the costly HDX protocol suite of technologies.
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a single package containing all virtualization components. Moreover, essential components such as printer redirection and load balancing come auto-configured by default. It is simple and easy to deploy and use. It eliminates the challenges of managing multiple products, upgrade issues, and configuration complexities. Most importantly, it is inexpensive, with the lowest overall TCO when compared with Citrix and VMware products.
Parallels RAS makes the migration process more comfortable with a free migration tool that automates most of Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp) use case scenarios. The migration tool extracts settings from Citrix XenApp 6.x into a file that can be imported from Parallels RAS Console.
Read more about Citrix Alternative || Download the Citrix Migration White Paper
References
Understanding Citrix Receiver | thomaskoetzing.de
The Citrix ICA file explained and demystified | ingmarverheij.com
Citrix Receiver definition | searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com
Citrix Systems | en.wikipedia.org
Citrix Alternative | https://www.parallels.com/citrix-alternative/
Description
The Receiver Clean-Up utility is designed to assist with the following scenarios:
- When errors occur during upgrade from an earlier version of Receiver or Online Plug-in
- When unexpected behavior or performance is experienced after upgrade from an earlier Receiver or Online Plug-in
- If Receiver upgrade is not possible due to feature incompatibility and/or a clean uninstall is required
- The Receiver Clean-Up Utility removes components, files, and registry values of Online Plug-in 11.x, 12.x, and Receiver for Windows 3.x, 4.x (Online Plugin-in 13.x, 14.x). This includes the Offline Plug-in component if installed and HDX RealTime Media Engine if installed.
Table of Contents
| Description | How to Uninstall | Known Issues |
| How to Use | Prerequisites | Contact information |
| How to Undo | Supported Operating Systems | Additional Information |
How to Use the Citrix Clean-Up Utility
The Receiver Clean-Up Utility is a standalone executable file and does not require installation.
Although the Receiver Clean-Up Utility will backup Receiver registry keys before deleting them, it is recommended to back up the registry before running this tool. Go to Microsoft article How to backup and restore the Registry in Windows for backing up the registry.
Caution: Always back up the registry.
- Run the Receiver Clean-Up Utility with administrator privileges.
- Restart the machine when the utility finishes.
Note: The Receiver Clean-Up Utility can be run in unattended mode if desired using the /silent command line option.
C:/> ReceiverCleanupUtility.exe /silent
ReceiverLogs folder is created in the location where the utility is run and tracks all uninstall actions and results.
NOTE: In order to improve the Citrix Receiver experience, anonymous uninstall data will be sent to Citrix. To disable the collection of uninstall data, please use /disableCEIP command line parameter.
Data Modified by Receiver Clean-Up Utility
The utility terminates all Receiver processes prior to running the uninstall process. Refer to the ReadMe file included with the tool for a list of items that will be removed during the clean-up process.
How to Undo the Changes Made by Receiver Clean-Up Utility
The Receiver Clean-Up Utility creates a backup of all Citrix registry keys in the file ReceiverLogsRegBackup.reg before running any clean-up and deletion process.
To undo the changes:
- Reinstall Receiver for Windows
- Import the RegBackup.reg file to restore settings and customizations in the registry.
Uninstalling Receiver Clean-Up Utility
Delete the downloaded executable and config.xml files from the current directory, and if desired delete the files in the ReceiverLogs folder.
Prerequisites
Required Security Permissions
Read, write, and modify access permissions are required for the following:
- Local machine registry (HKLM)
- Local user registry (HKCU)
- Default user profile on computer
- %programfiles%citrix on 32-bit systems or %programfiles(x86)%citrix on 64-bit systems
Known Issues
The Receiver Clean-Up Utility does not support non-Administrator users with roaming profile.
If Receiver is not installed at the default location, the Receiver Clean-Up Utility might not work properly.
Contact Information
Questions? Concerns? Send any feedback for this tool to supporttools@citrix.com.
Additional Information
CTX325140 - How to Remove Client Files Remaining on System after Uninstalling Receiver for Windows
CTX134237 - How to Remove Files Remaining on System after Uninstalling Receiver for Mac
Downloads - Citrix Receiver for Windows
Disclaimer
Citrix Receiver software, free download
These software applications are provided to you as is with no representations, warranties or conditions of any kind. You may use and distribute it at your own risk. CITRIX DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, WRITTEN, ORAL OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree that (a) the software application may exhibit errors, design flaws or other problems, possibly resulting in loss of data or damage to property; (b) it may not be possible to make the software application fully functional; and (c) Citrix may, without notice or liability to you, cease to make available the current version and/or any future versions of the software application. In no event should the code be used to support of ultra-hazardous activities, including but not limited to life support or blasting activities. NEITHER CITRIX NOR ITS AFFILIATES OR AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE, UNDER BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING FROM USE OF THE SOFTWARE APPLICATION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. You agree to indemnify and defend Citrix against any and all claims arising from your use, modification or distribution of the code.