VMware have released a new version of VMware Horizon 8 (2206), and this release is general available from July 2022. This is a major release, so I hope you like this article I put together. VMware have made some huge improvements in this release, which customers/partners are going to benefit from. Lets dig into what is new.

What is new in VMware Horizon 8 (2206)

VMware Horizon 8 2206 provides the following new features and enhancements

• VMware Horizon Connection Server
• VMware Horizon Agent for Linux
• VMware Horizon Agent for Windows
• VMware Horizon GPO Bundle
• VMware Dynamic Environment Manager 2206
• VMware Unified Access Gateway 2206
• VMware Horizon Clients 2206 for Android, Linux, iOS, Mac, Windows, HTML Access
• VMware Horizon Cloud services 2206

VMware Horizon Connection Server On-Premises

• Horizon Connection Server now enables you to configure a customized timeout warning and set the timer for the warning to appear before a user is forcibly disconnected from a remote desktop or published application session. This warning is supported with Horizon Client for Windows 2206 and Horizon Client for Mac 2206 or later.

• Windows Hello for Business with certificate authentication is now supported when you Log In as Current User on the Horizon Client for Windows.

• Added limited support for Hybrid Azure AD.

VMware Horizon Agent 8 2206 for Linux

• This release adds support for the following Linux distributions.

  • Ubuntu 22.04

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Workstation 8.6

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Server 8.6

• Beginning with this release, the following Linux distributions are no longer supported.

  • RHEL Server 8.4

• Horizon Agent for Linux now supports Real-Time Audio-Video redirection, which includes both audio-in and webcam redirection of locally connected devices from the client system to the remote session.

• VMware Integrated Printing now supports printer redirection from Linux remote desktops to client devices running Horizon Client for Chrome or HTML Access.

• Session Collaboration is now supported on the MATE desktop environment.

• A vGPU desktop can support a maximum resolution of 3840×2160 on one, two, three, or four monitors configured in any arrangement.

• A non-vGPU desktop can support a maximum resolution of 3840×2160 on a single monitor only.

• Agent and Agent RDS levels are now supported for Horizon Agent for Linux.

VMware Horizon Agent 8 2206 for Windows

• The Horizon Agent Installer now includes a pre-check to confirm that .NET 4.6.2 is installed if Horizon Performance Tracker is selected.

VMware Horizon 8 2206 GPO Bundle

• no new features

Windows OS Optimization Tool for Horizon

• Windows OS Optimization Tool for Horizon
  The Windows OS Optimization Tool for Horizon optimizes Windows images for virtual desktops and RDS hosts by disabling or tuning unnecessary services, tasks, settings and features typically present in a default Windows installation. As a result, the Windows OS Optimization Tool improves the performance of Horizon virtual desktops and published applications, reducing resource consumption and improving user experience.

VMware Dynamic Environment Manager 2207

• Support for multiple NoAD config files, targeted by group membership.

• Support for administrator created Azure tenant Enterprise Application for Onedrive for Business integration.

• Support for administrator defined location for the Dynamic Environment Manager license file.

• Support for copying profile archives from SMB share to Onedrive for Business.

• Techical Preview feature (not for production): Applying registry settings without users having access to registry editing tools.

VMware Unified Access Gateway 2207

VMware Unified Access Gateway 2207 provides the following new features and enhancements:

• Added SAML authentication for the Admin interface with the FIPS version.

• Provided additional security settings required to allow the FIPS version of Unified Access Gateway to be deployed with Photon OS DISA STIG compliance. DISA is the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Photon OS STIG is the published Security Technical Implementation Guide.

• Added further ssh hardening configuration options.

• Added setting to allow the Horizon Connection Server pre-login message to be skipped. This is often required when Unified Access Gateway is configured in a way that requires a Horizon user to authenticate with SAML or through VMware Workspace ONE first. In these cases, it is not appropriate to require the user to accept a pre-login disclaimer after they have already logged in.

• Added adminreset command. This is available from the root login console and sets the Admin interface settings back to default settings which is for password authentication. This command is useful during misconfiguration of a SAML IdP when Unified Access Gateway is configured for SAML admin authentication but login fails.

• Syslog configuration improvements. Upgraded the syslog functionality to use the new syslog-ng instead of the older rsyslog. This includes MQTT improvements which allow syslog-ng to be used for MQTT event forwarding with optional certificate support.

• Endpoint compliance functionality improvements for OPSWAT integration. This includes logging the client device ID at INFO level in esmanager.log entries which can be forwarded to an external syslog server. In addition, added an optional periodic check to log a warning event if the OPSWAT service becomes inaccessible.

• Updated log rotation configuration for additional /var/log files.

• Added support during deployment to run a small script either on first boot or on every boot. This is used to support a limited number of customizations as documented in the Deployment and Configuration guide.

• Extended the support for automatic OS package updates to include potential non-Photon Unified Access Gateway specific rpm updates.

• Improvements in certificate revocation checks made on the received TLS server certificate for outbound TLS connections.

• Backslash character is now supported in PFX TLS server certificate passwords.

• Improved logging and communication of analysis data to Horizon brokers for cases where a Horizon Client is detected as idle, and for cases where misrouting of Horizon Client protocols (PCoIP and Tunnel) occurs.

• Improved the Tunnel’s vpnreport troubleshooting tool to include flow details based on device type and TCP/UDP, and a breakdown of most used apps.

• Updates to Photon OS package versions and Java component versions.

Supported versions of Windows 10 on Horizon Agent Including All VDI Clones (Full Clones, Instant Clones, and Linked Clones on Horizon 8 2206)

• Windows 10 22H2 SAC (Pro, Education, Enterprise) Full support
• Windows 10 21H2 SAC (Pro, Education, Enterprise) Full support
• Windows 10 21H1 SAC (Pro, Education, Enterprise) Full support
• Windows 10 20H2 SAC (Pro,Education,Enterprise) Full support
• Windows 10 2004 SAC (Pro,Education,Enterprise) Not Supported
• Windows 10 1909 SAC (Pro,Education,Enterprise) Not Supported
• Windows 10 1903 SAC and earlier (Pro,Education,Enterprise) Not Supported
• Windows 10 LTSC 2021 (Enterprise) Full support
• Windows 10 LTSC 2019 (Enterprise) Full support
• Windows 10 LTSB 2016 (Enterprise) Full support

For more additional information please read this knowledge article

VMware Cloud Connector

Applicable to customers with VMware Horizon Universal Subscription, Horizon Enterprise Plus Subscription, Horizon Standard Plus Subscription, Horizon Apps Universal Subscription, or Horizon Apps Standard Subscription.

The Horizon Cloud Connector virtual appliance is a required component for VMware Horizon to support the management of Horizon pods using Horizon Cloud Service.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 – new features

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for Android

Horizon Client for Android 2206 includes the following new feature.

• Enable geolocation redirection to use the location service of the local device in remote desktops or published applications.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for ChromeOS

Horizon Client for Chrome 2206 includes the following new features.

• Enhanced support for touch gestures

  This release includes the following enhancements:

  • Touch gestures are supported in multiple-monitor mode.
  • Users can scroll in a remote session using one or two fingers. Scrolled content moves in the same direction as the user’s fingers.
• Improved support for Google Admin policies

  When users start Horizon Client for Chrome from the VMware Workspace ONE catalog using a URI, the client honors the configurations defined by Google Admin policies.

• ActivClient support

  This release supports the use of smart cards that rely on ActivClient middleware for authentication.

• User authentication in managed-app mode

  Horizon Client for Chrome supports user authentication when running as a managed app, such as an app managed by Unified Access Gateway and VMware Workspace ONE. Administrators can use the new Google Admin policy setting ws1WebviewMode to configure these authentication options.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for iOS

Horizon Client for iOS 2206 includes the following new features:

• Additional custom settings for Horizon Client for iOS in Workspace ONE UEM

  You can now configure additional settings for Horizon Client for iOS in Workspace ONE UEM.

• Support for geolocation redirection

  You can use the location service of the local device on remote desktops and published applications.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for Mac

Horizon Client for Mac 2206 includes the following new features:

• Support for MacBook Pro 16″ desktop screen auto-fit

  When you connect to a remote desktop in full-screen mode from a MacBook Pro 16″ desktop, the desktop screen auto-fits to match the MacBook host screen size.

• Support for full-range color and improved color fidelity

  VMware Horizon Client for Mac now supports full-range color and improved color fidelity when using H264 4:4:4 or HEVC 4:4:4.

• Support for timeout warning and timer

  You can configure the warning to be displayed and set the timer at which the warning is displayed before a user is forcibly disconnected from a remote desktop or published application . You can also configure the message that is displayed when the user is forcibly disconnected.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for Linux

Horizon Client for Linux 2206 includes the following new features.

• Support for new operating systems

  Horizon Client is supported on following Linux distributions:

  • Ubuntu 22.04
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8.6
• Screen sharing for Microsoft Teams

  With Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams, you can use screen sharing capabilities in RDSH published application sessions.

• Give screen control for Microsoft Teams

  With Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams, you can give control of screen sharing for VDI and RDSH desktop sessions.

• Composite devices for Microsoft Teams

  With Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams, the device setting menus can now recognize composite devices, correctly reflecting each device’s input and output media type. Microsoft Teams also recognizes the default device connected to the client system.

• URL redirection from Microsoft Edge (Chromium) browser

  This release supports client-to-agent URL redirection from a Microsoft Edge (Chromium) browser running on the Linux client to an Edge browser running on the Windows desktop.

• Support for full-range color and improved color fidelity

  VMware Horizon Client for Linux now supports full-range color and improved color fidelity when using H264 4:4:4 or HEVC 4:4:4.

• Support for enabling or disabling BlastCodec decoding on the Horizon Client for Linux User Interface

  You can now enable or disable the use of BlastCodec decoding to receive remote screen content on the client interface.

• User-friendly selection menus for preferred microphones and webcams

  With the Real-Time Audio-Video feature, you can now select a preferred microphone or webcam device directly from menus in the Settings dialog box.

• Support for a favorite remote desktop or published application on a Horizon Cloud Service next-gen server

  You can select favorite remote desktops and published applications on a Horizon Cloud Service next-gen server.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for Windows

Horizon Client for Windows 2206 includes the following new features:

• Support for background blur and effects when using Microsoft Teams Optimization

  Background blur and effects enable you to blur your background or select a background image before or during a video call or meeting. For details and dependencies, see Media Optimization in Microsoft Teams in the Horizon Remote Desktop Features and GPOs guide.

• Support for HID (Human Interface Device) compatible headset usage when using Microsoft Teams Optimization

  For details and dependencies, see Media Optimization in Microsoft Teams in the Horizon Remote Desktop Features and GPOsguide.

• Support for timeout warning and timer

  You can configure the warning to be displayed and set the timer at which the warning is displayed before a user is forcibly disconnected from a remote desktop or published application. You can also configure the message that is displayed when the user is forcibly disconnected.

• Display timeout message before forced disconnect

  You can configure a message and timeout warning to be displayed before a user is forcibly disconnected from a remote desktop or published application.

• Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams can be changed on the VMware Horizon Client for Windows User Interface

  You can now change Media Optimization setting  for supported WebRTC based Unified Communications apps on the Calls and Sharing dialog box. For example, Microsoft Teams Optimization can be disabled. This setting is enabled by default and this is the recommended setting.

• Encryption of on-screen keyboard input

  On-screen keyboard encryption is enabled when you select Enable Keylogger Blocking during custom installation.

• Support for a favorite remote desktop or published application on a Horizon Cloud Service next-gen server

  You can select favorite remote desktops and published applications on a Horizon Cloud Service next-gen server.

• Support for Windows Hello for Business With Certificate Authentication

  Windows Hello for Business with certificate trust is now supported with the Log In as Current User feature.

• Default microphone on client computer reflected on remote desktop

  When using multiple devices, the default microphone is reflected on the remote desktop.

• Support for enabling or disabling BlastCodec decoding on the Horizon Client for Windows User Interface

  You can now enable or disable the use of BlastCodec decoding to receive remote screen content on the client interface.

• RTAV log files saved in separate files

  RTAV agent and client logs are written to separate files within the logs directory for easier analysis.

• Selective Printer Redirection with VMware Integrated Printing

  You can now select the printers to be used in remote desktop sessions.

VMware Horizon Client 2206 for Windows

HTML Access 2206 includes the following new features:

• Updated support list of client browsers

  This release includes the following changes:

  • Updated list of supported browser versions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. See System Requirements for HTML Access.
  • Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported as a client browser. Microsoft discontinued support for Internet Explorer 11 on June 15, 2022.
• Enhanced support for touch gestures

  This release includes the following enhancements:

  • To define the effects of touch gestures, users on mobile devices can toggle between native touch mode and trackpad touch mode.
  • Trackpad touch mode allows the screen of the mobile device to function as a full-screen trackpad, with a mouse pointer that users can move around the remote desktop or application.
  • In native touch mode, users can scroll in a remote session using one or two fingers. Scrolled content moves in the same direction as the user’s fingers.
  • In trackpad touch mode, users can scroll in a remote session using two fingers. Scrolled content moves in the same direction as the user’s fingers.
  • Mobile users can access onscreen help on available touch gestures.
• Support for relative touchpads

  This release supports touchpad devices that use relative positioning with respect to the display screen.

• Accessibility enhancements

  This release includes enhancements to the user interface that increase visual accessibility and compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation features.

• Enhancements to multiple-monitor mode

  You can now use up to four monitors to display a remote desktop. Also, you can copy and paste text between the client device and remote desktops in multiple-monitor mode.

Source

• VMware Horizon 8 (2206)
• VMware Horizon Cloud Services