Administration and Deployments
This section provides an overview of administrating and deploying the Zoom Workplace VDI app.
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This section provides an overview of administrating and deploying the Zoom Workplace VDI app.
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The following sections outline how to install and configure the Zoom Workplace VDI app and Plug-In, with detailed guidance on managing automatic updates and resolving connectivity issues.
The Zoom Workplace VDI app (aka Host Installer) is an .MSI file type that can be deployed through standard software and device management tools, like Microsoft Intune or Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). The Plug-In installers are available as a .msi for Windows, .pkg for Mac, and .deb, .rpm, or a zipped package for Linux platforms, and can be similarly deployed through device management software. However, it is essential to note that the Zoom Workplace VDI app and Plug-In are two separate programs with their own respective physical install locations.
Heads Up
Always install or update the Zoom Workplace VDI app first and the VDI Plug-In second. The VDI Plug-In typically cannot exceed the version of the VDI app and remain functional. Refer to Zoom’s support center for more information on the .
The Zoom Workplace VDI app (aka Host Installer) is installed on the virtual desktop as an application. It is recommended that the app always be installed and/or upgraded first to maintain compatibility.
The VDI Plug-In should never be installed on a VDI desktop and should only be installed on a device used to access the VDI, such as a thin client or local PC.
Your Virtual Desktop Agent (VDA), e.g. Citrix Workspace or Omnissa Horizons client, must be installed before installing the Zoom Media Plug-In on the thin client or remote workstation. Failure to comply will result in Plug-In installation failure.
For Citrix, only Citrix Workspace from the Citrix website is supported for Zoom VDI. The Citrix Workspace app for Windows from the Microsoft Store is not supported and is incompatible with the Zoom Workplace VDI app.
If the Plug-In exceeds the release version of the Zoom Workplace VDI app, the two endpoints will be unable to connect and the VDI app will operate in Fallback Mode. It is strongly recommended to always update the VDI app first and Plug-In second.
By default, the Zoom Workplace VDI app (aka Host Installer) does not enable automatic updates. To update the app, most customers must typically download and deploy the updated version to their user’s virtual desktops through their preferred software distribution method (SCCM, Intune, etc.). However, there are some circumstances that can assist with simplifying the update process, described below.
Enabling users to individually update their desktop’s Zoom Workplace VDI app, and/or enabling automatic updates
To enable user-prompted updates, perform the following steps:
Open the device’s registry and navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Zoom VDI\PerInstall
Locate the string entry for enableupdate.
Within the Value Description, change the value to true.
After a user exits and restarts their Zoom Workplace VDI app, they will now see the option to Check for Updates.
After this setting is enabled, users will see a Check for Updates setting within the Zoom Workplace menu dropdown. Additionally, reviewing the General tab of the app’s Settings menu will reveal whether or not the app is enrolled in automatic updates.
Updating through Zoom Device Management
Zoom Device Management (ZDM) is a centralized tool that enables administrators to manage Zoom Workplace desktop and mobile applications across various devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. By enrolling devices into ZDM, administrators can group them as needed and apply specific app policies through the Zoom web portal.
For VDI, administrators can enroll virtual desktops into ZDM and deploy app updates through the web portal on a manual or automated basis, simplifying the upgrade process.
The Zoom Workplace VDI app supports a built-in Plug-In Management solution that can help ensure users always have a compatible VDI Plug-In for their virtual desktop environments. By enabling the feature, administrators can automate Plug-In updates, making it easier to maintain compatibility and avoid disruptions during Zoom Meetings. Alternatively, businesses may also manage Plug-In updates through regular software deployments, bypassing automatic updates entirely.
When the VDI Plug-In Management feature is active, the system identifies when a user’s device lacks the correct Plug-In and prompts them to install it. If the Plug-In is outdated or missing, users are guided through a simple process to install the required version. This process is designed to minimize user effort while maintaining security and functionality.
Heads Up
Readers should evaluate the types of devices they plan to use with this feature to determine its suitability for their needs. For example, this feature can be particularly beneficial for organizations with a significant bring-your-own-device (BYOD) workforce, helping ensure that unmanaged devices remain synchronized with their virtual desktops. On the other hand, businesses with corporate-owned devices governed by strict installation policies may prefer to rely on their existing management processes rather than enable this feature..
VDI Plug-In Management is currently supported for the following systems:
Citrix
Omnissa Horizon
(Formerly VMware)
Azure/Windows 365
Windows
✔
✔
✔
Mac
✔
✔
To enable Plug-In Management for a desktop, perform the following steps:
Open the device’s registry and navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Zoom\Zoom Meetings\VDI
Create a DWORD entry and name it EnableVDIPluginAutoUpgrade with a value of 1 or true to enable. Note: A value of 0 or false will disable this feature.
Once enabled, administrators can allow user Plug-Ins to automatically update as updates are detected in-line with the Zoom Workplace VDI App, or gain access to additional configuration options to refine plug-in behavior. These advanced options, described in the following sections, require the EnableVDIPluginAutoUpgrade registry key to be active to function properly.
Administrators can force the Zoom Workplace VDI app to only accept a specific version of the VDI Plug-In. This helps to ensure all devices connecting to the virtual desktop are aligned with the required plugin version, minimizing compatibility issues and disruptions.
To enable this feature, perform the following steps:
Open the device’s registry and navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Zoom\Zoom Meetings\VDI
Create a DWORD entry and name it AutoUpdatePluginVersion.
Within the Value Description, input the specified version number. For example, if set to 6.1.10, users connecting with older or newer plugin versions will be prompted to adjust their plugin to 6.1.10 before proceeding.
Warning
By default, the Zoom VDI Plug-In does not allow users to delay or defer an update when detected. When prompted, selecting the OK button will disconnect the user from their virtual desktop and install the VDI Plug-In update. Because of this behavior, administrators may not want to force users to update their Plug-In before joining a meeting. To support user flexibility, administrators can allow a user to update their Plug-In at a later time at their discretion.
To enable this feature, perform the following steps:
Open the device’s registry and navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Zoom\Zoom Meetings\VDI
Create a DWORD entry and name it UpdatePluginLater.
Within the Value Description, input value best-suited for your environment:
0: Default: The “Later” option is disabled. Clicking OK disconnects the user from the virtual desktop and updates the VDI Plug-In.
1: Includes the Later option, which closes the dialog. The next time the user connects, the prompt will appear again if the VDI plugin management software detects that an update is still needed.
If the system detects an out-of-date Plug-In, administrators may choose to bypass the update prompt and install the updated version automatically. This ensures the update is applied without requiring user intervention.
To enable this feature, perform the following steps:
Open the device’s registry and navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Zoom\Zoom Meetings\VDI
Create a DWORD entry and name it ForceSilentVDIPluginUpdate.
Within the Value Description, input value best-suited for your environment:
0: Default: Users are prompted to install a missing or out-of-date VDI Plugin.
1: Enabled: Users are not prompted and new plugins are automatically downloaded and installed after the user disconnects from their desktop.
A business may need to allow users to opt out of software updates, particularly in cases where users are on personally owned devices (BYOD), compatibility issues arise, or regulatory requirements dictate such flexibility. To accommodate these situations, administrators can provide users with the option to opt out of automatic updates.
To enable this feature, perform the following steps:
Open the device’s registry and navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Zoom\Zoom Meetings\VDI
Create a DWORD entry and name it EnableVDIPluginAutoUpdateOptOut.
Within the Value Description, input value best-suited for your environment:
0: Default: An option to stop prompting for VDI Plugins is not displayed.
Additional Plug-In Options
The Zoom Workplace VDI app and Windows Plug-In each contain ways of identifying if they are connected to each other, as well as the type of connection established.
From the Zoom Workplace VDI app
Users can confirm connectivity by opening the Settings screen within the Zoom Desktop Application, selecting Statistics, and navigating to the VDI tab. The image below demonstrates the diagnostic information available between the Zoom Workplace VDI app and Plug-In’s connection in addition to the VDI server’s and the Plug-In machine's performance.
Thin Client OS Version displays the operating system of the remote device or thin client (e.g., Mac 15.2.0).
VDI Plugin Version displays the operating system and version number of the Plug-In used on the remote machine.
VDI Plugin Status displays the connection status between the VDI app and Plug-In.
VDI Connection Error displays any errors, if detected.
VDI Connect Mode confirms the connection the Plug-In has with the VDI app (e.g., Direct, UDP, Channel).
VDI Share Mode confirms how screen sharing data is being offloaded between the VDI app and Plug-In (e.g., UDP, Channel).
VDI Plugin Proxy displays the proxy address and port used by the Plug-In (if applicable)
VDI Ping Server Mode shows if the server connection is optimal for the VDI app or Plug-In
From the Plug-In
Users can view the Plug-In’s connection status by inspecting the system tray icon on Windows machines (not available for Mac or Linux). If neither the Zoom Workplace VDI app nor Plug-In are showing a “Connected” status, the Zoom Workplace VDI app will operate in Fallback Mode without any media optimization.
If the Zoom VDI Plug-In is not connected, the default behavior of the VDI app is to operate in Fallback Mode. This mode of operation is not optimized, and will force all media rendering to the VDI server, which can result in severely degraded server performance.
If it is determined that the Plug-In is not connected, the most common causes include:
The Plug-In is not properly installed on the local machine/thin client.
If you have recently reinstalled the Citrix Receiver/Workspace or Horizon client, please be sure the Plug-In is reinstalled as well.
Only Citrix Workspace from Citrix is supported for Zoom VDI. The Citrix Workspace app for Windows from the Microsoft store is not supported.
Your Plug-In version exceeds the version number of the host installer.
Your Plug-In version is less than the minimum required, as enforced by a policy.
The Zoom Workplace VDI app runs exclusively on Windows-based operating systems and requires Windows Server 2012 at minimum for server deployment.
Windows 7 and later are supported for VDI media offloading with the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop) Plug-In if connected via Windows RDP. For example, a user can connect to their remote, non-VDI Windows 7 machine via RDP and offload Zoom media if the Zoom Workplace VDI app and AVD Plug-In are installed in their respective locations.
Additional applications and versions known to be compatible with Zoom’s VDI offering are listed in the tables below.
VDI Server
Minimum Version
Citrix Server (DDC)
XenDesktop 7.6
Omnissa Horizon Server
Horizon 7
VDA Client
Minimum Version
Citrix Desktop Agent
VDA 7.13 - 2003 or 2009
Citrix Workspace Receiver*
4.9 Workspace 2003
Omnissa Horizon Client
Horizon 4.9
Mac OSX
10.15+
IGEL
10.0
Ubuntu
18
HP ThinOS
5.2
eLux
6.4
Heads Up
Citrix Workspace Receiver must be an official Citrix version from the Citrix website, and cannot be from the Microsoft Store.
Can I use MSI switches with the Zoom Workplace VDI app?
Can I configure Group Policy with the Zoom Workplace VDI app?
Are there additional configuration settings available?
What is the best way to install or update the Zoom Workplace VDI app?
With frequent feature improvements to the Zoom Workplace VDI app and Plug-In, it is recommended that users always update the Zoom Workplace VDI app first. Failure to update the Zoom Workplace VDI app before the Plug-In will result in a disconnection between the app and Plug-In, forcing the VDI app into Fallback Mode.
Heads Up
Always update the Zoom Workplace VDI app before the Plug-In.
Is the VDI Plug-In backwards compatible?
By default, the system prevents users from manually checking for or initiating updates to the Zoom Workplace VDI app on their virtual desktops; however, organizations can enable specific registry settings to allow users with admin-level access to update their Zoom Workplace VDI app at their discretion. Enabling this functionality also enrolls the device into Zoom’s automatic channel updates. If desired, this can be disabled using the MSI switch control AU2_EnableAutoUpdate, as detailed in Zoom’s .
Refer to Zoom’s support center for more information on .
For further assistance with this process, readers can refer to Zoom’s support center for detailed guidance on .
For further assistance with this process, readers can refer to Zoom’s support center for detailed guidance on .
The Zoom Workplace VDI app and designated Plug-In version .
2: Includes the Later option, which waits until the user disconnects from their virtual desktop(s) before automatically performing the update.
For further assistance with this process, readers can refer to Zoom’s support center for additional information on and detailed guidance on .
For further assistance with this process, readers can refer to Zoom’s support center for additional information on and detailed guidance on .
1: Enabled: an Opt Out button is added to the VDI Plugin Update prompt dialog. Clicking the Opt Out button provides more context and requires confirmation to stop plugin update notifications.
For further assistance with this process, readers can refer to Zoom’s support center for additional information on .
Beyond the Plug-In options outlined above, the Zoom VDI Plug-In includes additional parameters for more detailed management. Readers are encouraged to refer to Zoom’s support center for additional information on all available and review the table section Install and Update.
Log Level confirms the extent of logs captured by the Log Collection Tool. Visit our article for more information on the various levels of logs.
The virtual channels required to connect to the VDI Plug-in cannot be opened and an administrator needs to configure access. Citrix VDA 2109 and later disabled the by default.
The VDI Host Installer is an MSI file type which is capable of utilizing the same switches as the standard Zoom Workplace MSI program and can be deployed through normal software and device management tools, like Intune or SCCM. For a complete list of the MSI switches available, refer to our guide.
The Zoom Workplace VDI app is responsive to standard via the same registry location as the standard (i.e., non-VDI) app (HKCU\Software\Policies\Zoom\etc). Any pre-configured GPO settings for the standard Zoom Workplace desktop app will work with the Zoom Workplace VDI app.
The Zoom Workplace VDI app behavior can be refined for select situations via registry keys, such as how the app will perform in Fallback Mode or feature enablement and disablement. Additional settings can be configured to create alert messages, restrict data flow, enforce optimizations, and more. For a full account of the registry keys and features we have available, refer to our article.
Newer versions of the VDI Plug-In are not typically backwards compatible with older versions of the Zoom Workplace VDI app. Generally speaking, the Plug-In must always be equal to or lower than the Zoom Workplace VDI app’s internal version number. For more information about how to confirm compatibility between host and plug-in refer to .
