Turn old PC into Thin Client for Free

This blog post will tell you how to turn an old PC into a unmanaged thin client, either you want to use VDI with VMware View / Citrix XenDesktop or e.g. login through Citrix Web Interface. Actually Thin Desktop® 2.3.2 was released in June, but they charge $26 pr device. So why pay for something you can make for free ?

All credits to the guy over at VM Junkie who made this blog “Making a Thin Client on Fat Hardware“. I have customized the scripts to boot into Internet Explorer shell for Web Interface login. Once you take a look at the scripts, you will be able to make whatever you like for your environment.

Why not use Linux Thin Client solutions ?

Linux Thin Clients do not support Citrix HDX technology, so if you want a really smooth user experience you will definitely go for Windows based Thin Clients.

This is just the first release, I believe we also could leverage Citrix Receiver technology using Citrix Merchandising Server to automatically update the unmanaged Thin Clients. This cannot be used on old computers with low processor & memory since you need IE7/IE8 and .Net Frameworks. Though unmanaged is a bit blurry in this scenario because you would need to add the machines to your domain and you do not get auto logon. Hopefully we will find a solution to this in the future when the big vendors start to implement Citrix Receiver into their Windows XP Thin Clients.

Downloads :

• Adobe Flash Player
• Windows Media Player 11
• XenApp Web Plugin Version 11.000
• ThinClientPC ScriptFrameWork

Instructions :

Install the software and unpack the ScriptFrameWork to C:\ThinClientPC. Customize the C:\ThinClientPC\WI\WI.cmd with your Web Interface address and the run C:\ThinClientPC\Install ThinClientPC with WebInterface.cmd

Usage :

The client will now automatically login and start IE as a shell in Full Screen (Kiosk mode). To login in as Administrator : Press Ctrl-Alt-Del, hold down Shift and select Log Off…

Note :

Please note that these scripts are provided “as is” and that using these is at your own risk. Please feel free to leave comments below regarding bugs & suggested improvements in future releases.