Windows Desktop Replacement

This section explains what happens when the Replace Desktop option is enabled, and why it is useful to administrators.

When enabled, the Replace Desktop feature allows the administrator to convert a standard desktop into a limited device similar to a Thin Client, without replacing the operating system.

The end user will not have access to Windows Explorer, Taskbar or any other component that usually allows them to install new applications or change system settings. The user can now only deploy applications configured within the Parallels Client. Applications can be remote applications or desktops, and locally configured applications. Local applications are allowed, so that if specific applications are needed and are not available remotely (e.g. software which communicates with specific peripherals), the user can still deploy them. When the Replace Desktop option is applied, the management component will do the following:

In this mode, the user also has access to the Mouse and Display Control Panel applets. The user cannot change the Parallels Client Global Options and the Client Farm Connection Options. Advanced management features can be enabled if the device is switched into administration mode.

If the Windows Desktop Replacement feature is switched off, all the restrictions are removed and the standard desktop is made available to the user.

The following are the screenshots of a Windows 10 desktop before and after the Replace Desktop option is enabled.

Before

After