AutoCAD on Citrix Launch Behavior

[MarkSanchezSPEC]

We have several versions of AutoCAD setup in a Citrix virtual environment. We are using folder redirection to roam the contents of the %AppData%\Roaming\Autodesk\C3D 20xx\enu" folders. However, whenever a user logs off of Citrix and logs back on, when they launch the same version of AutoCAD, AutoCAD initializes as thought this is the first time AutoCAD has ever been run by them. The files in the redirected folders ultimately sync and are used in each case, but why does AutoCAD initialize each time?

My network admin states that in our Citrix environment, VM's are randomly assigned such that the VM you logged into in the morning is likely not the same one you log into in the afternoon (or previous day, etc.). To me, this makes sense as to why AutoCAD is initializing each time it is entered, but is this how it is supposed to work?  Theoretically, if I were to log onto the same VM, AutoCAD should not re-initialize each time, right? I was tasked with setting up our customization within the Citrix environment, and I thought that the re-initialization was both normal, given the way it was setup, as well as what they wanted. They are now telling me that this is not the behavior they expected once the folder-redirection was setup. AutoCAD should "remember" all things AutoCAD for the logged on user, unless it is the very first time they ever launched the app.

I know that when we "reset" AutoCAD for troubleshooting, we use the "Manual reset methods" described here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-r...

Perhaps we also need to redirect the %LocalAppData% folder for AutoCAD and the HKCU registry hive as well (if that's possible)? Would that work within the random assignment of VM's I described?

[MarkSanchezSPEC]

We have several versions of AutoCAD setup in a Citrix virtual environment. We are using folder redirection to roam the contents of the %AppData%\Roaming\Autodesk\C3D 20xx\enu" folders. However, whenever a user logs off of Citrix and logs back on, when they launch the same version of AutoCAD, AutoCAD initializes as thought this is the first time AutoCAD has ever been run by them. The files in the redirected folders ultimately sync and are used in each case, but why does AutoCAD initialize each time?

My network admin states that in our Citrix environment, VM's are randomly assigned such that the VM you logged into in the morning is likely not the same one you log into in the afternoon (or previous day, etc.). To me, this makes sense as to why AutoCAD is initializing each time it is entered, but is this how it is supposed to work?  Theoretically, if I were to log onto the same VM, AutoCAD should not re-initialize each time, right? I was tasked with setting up our customization within the Citrix environment, and I thought that the re-initialization was both normal, given the way it was setup, as well as what they wanted. They are now telling me that this is not the behavior they expected once the folder-redirection was setup. AutoCAD should "remember" all things AutoCAD for the logged on user, unless it is the very first time they ever launched the app.

I know that when we "reset" AutoCAD for troubleshooting, we use the "Manual reset methods" described here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-r...

Perhaps we also need to redirect the %LocalAppData% folder for AutoCAD and the HKCU registry hive as well (if that's possible)? Would that work within the random assignment of VM's I described?

[natasha.l]

Hello @MarkSanchezSPEC, 

Please review the following "Unable to run AutoCAD Restricted user" there is a section that explains how AutoCAD launches, what folders & registries are accessed. 

The software needs Administrator rights during installation & at first launch after installation.

Autodesk products do not support restricted or roaming users, they must have Full Control permissions (read/write) to the folder locations:

• C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local
• C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming
• C:\ProgramData\
• C:\ProgramFiles\CommonFiles
• C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\CommonFiles

Additionally, users must have Full Control permissions to all registry keys and values:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Autodesk

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[natasha.l]

Hello @MarkSanchezSPEC, 

Please review the following "Unable to run AutoCAD Restricted user" there is a section that explains how AutoCAD launches, what folders & registries are accessed. 

The software needs Administrator rights during installation & at first launch after installation.

Autodesk products do not support restricted or roaming users, they must have Full Control permissions (read/write) to the folder locations:

• C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local
• C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming
• C:\ProgramData\
• C:\ProgramFiles\CommonFiles
• C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\CommonFiles

Additionally, users must have Full Control permissions to all registry keys and values:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Autodesk

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[MarkSanchezSPEC]

Thank you. We will be reviewing this information and post back with our findings.

[MarkSanchezSPEC]

Thank you. We will be reviewing this information and post back with our findings.