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Solving keyboard layout issues in an ICA or RDP session can be quite tricky. In this article I deal with some of the common causes and their solutions.

Are you considering Microsoft RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) over a VPN to enable employee remote access to Windows and Mac computers? Using RDP alone outside the firewall exposes traffic to security risks – and can make host computers vulnerable to outside attack – so VPN is required. Using RDP, VNC or another remote desktop protocol. It doesn’t matter whether you use RDP, VNC, or another remote desktop protocol to connect to a remote PC. A seamless experience is what matters, and for most Windows users, using RDP with the Windows Remote Desktop Connection tool will offer the simplest and smoothest experience for remote.

A list of the most common issues

The main difference between this and an RDP connection manager is it allows the screen to be shared. With RDP the remote system will log off so you can’t share the screen with the end user. That’s why RDP managers are best for servers. Damware is supported on Multiple platforms and allows remote control of Windows, Linux, and Max computers.

Let's start with a list of the most common keyboard layout issues. Each issue is linked to a section in this article that describes the causes and solutions:

• You logon to an RDP or ICA session.
• Issue 1 - the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly at logon:
  1. The keyboard layout of the local client should be synchronized in the session, but it is not. Instead, the server-side keyboard layout on the worker (VDA) is used.
  2. The keyboard layout of the local client is used instead of the server-side keyboard layout (worker/VDA). This is the opposite situation compared to scenario A.
• Issue 2- the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly when opening another application in the same session.
  When opening another application in the same session the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly. In most cases logging off and on again solves the problem (until the layout changes unexpectedly again).
• Issue 3: the keyboard layout changes randomly during the session (without opening a new application).
  Sometimes when working in a session the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly without any specific interaction by the user (e.g. starting a new application or launching a console). In most cases logging off and on again solves the problem (until the layout changes unexpectedly again).
• Issue 4: the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly on the Windows lock screen (this issue is described in a separate article on this website).

As you can see in the previous list, keyboard layout issues can present themselves in different ways. The following paragraphs describe the causes and solutions for each of the scenarios above.

Common causes and solutions for issue 1 'the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly at logon'

There are at least three possible reasons why either the local keyboard layout or server-side keyboard layout is used at session launch:

The registry value IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout is either configured or missing

The registry value IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout is a 'golden oldie' in the world or Remote Desktop Services and Citrix. This value is configured on the Remote Desktop Session Host or Citrix worker (VDA).

First of all, IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout is a registry value that you set on the Citrix worker (the VDA):

• Key:HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlKeyboard Layout
• Name:IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout
• Value:1
• Type:DWORD

A reboot is not necessary. For this value to take effect you only need to close your current RDP or ICA session (in case you have one open) and launch a new session. This setting is a local machine setting, so it applies to all users (and administrators!).

As said, this registry setting has been around forever and still applies to all server operating systems including the latest one, Windows Server 2019.

So what exactly does this setting do? Well, when an RDP or ICA session is launched, instead of using the keyboard layout set on the local client device, the keyboard layout set in the user's (roaming) profile within the RDP or ICA session is used. To be more precise; the keyboard layout that is listed first in the current user registry hive HKCUKeyboard LayoutPreload in the user's (roaming) profile is used.

By default, the registry value IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout is not present on the local system. In case the value is present, but you want to use the local keyboard layout of the user's client device instead, you can either delete the registry value or change it from 1 to 0.

Citrix Workspace app is configured to use either the local or remote keyboard layout (APPSRV.INI)

Citrix Workspace app includes several advanced preferences, one of which is the Keyboard and Language bar.

By default, the configuration of this setting is set to Use the server keyboard layout. As explained in the previous section, the server keyboard layout is actually the user's keyboard layout as configured in the (roaming) profile used in the ICA session.

Switching to Yes enables the keyboard layout synchronization feature which was introduced in XenDesktop 7.12 and Receiver 4.6. This feature not only synchronizes the keyboard layout of the local client to the ICA session at session launch, but it also dynamically changes the layout in the active ICA session when the keyboard layout on the local client is changed.

This setting is actually stored in the APPSRV.INI or at least it will be when you change it. The APPSRV.INI has been around for a very long time, since the early releases of Citrix Receiver. The file APPSRV.INI is a user-specific configuration file and is located in the following directory:

%AppData%ICAClient APPSRV.INI
(= C:Users%UserName%AppDataRoamingICAClient APPSRV.INI)

Selecting Yes in the above screenshot adds a new entry in the APPSRV.INI file: LocalIME=1

By default, the value KeyboardLayout is missing from the APPSRV.INI file. When adding the value, choose either KeyboardLayout=(Server Default) or KeyboardLayout=(User Profile). The last one uses the keyboard layout of the user's local client.

The settings described in this section only apply to ICA sessions and not to RDP. In comparison, the registry value IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout applies to both RDP and ICA sessions.

For more information see the following Citrix articles:

Local IME (and the keyboard synchronization feature) has been enabled or disabled on the Citrix worker (VDA)

In the previous section I described the keyboard synchronization feature (local IME). It is important to realize that this feature can also be managed from the Citrix worker (VDA). It is possible to enable or disable the feature by setting the following registry value:

• Key:HKLMSOFTWARECitrixIcaIcaIme
• Name:DisableKeyboardSync
• Value:
  • 0 (keyboard sync is enabled)
  • 1 (keyboard sync is disabled)
• Type:DWORD

You can use a Group Policy Preference item to set the registry value.

In case you are sure that you have configured the settings in Citrix Workspace app correctly (and you have taken operating system specific issues into account) and the keyboard layout is still incorrect, you may have to enable or disable this setting.

The settings described in this section only apply to ICA sessions and not to RDP.

Common causes and solutions for issue 2 and 3 'the keyboard layout changes unexpectedly when opening another application in the same session or randomly during the session'

The cause for issues 2 and 3 lies in the Citrix keyboard layout synchronization feature in the Citrix Workspace app. As explained in one of the previous sections, this feature dynamically changes the keyboard layout in the active Citrix session when the local keyboard layout is changed.

For some reason though, the keyboard layout in the active session is changed on occasion although the local keyboard layout was not altered. The exact reason why this happens is unknown (the Citrix support engineer, although providing the solution, was not able to explain the exact cause either).

The solution to this problem is to disable the keyboard synchronization feature on the worker (VDA). This is done by modifying a registry value as described in the section Local IME.

Configuring this registry value (1 = disable) actually solved this issue for me!

What is strange about the whole situation is that:

1. Technically speaking, keyboard layout synchronization should already be disabled based on the default setting 'No, use the server keyboard layout' in Citrix Workspace app.
2. Secondly, according to the Citrix documentation, on Windows Server 2016, this feature should already be deactivated: 'This feature is disabled in Windows Server 2016 due to a third-party issue which might introduce performance risk. [...]'

This issue is also described in the Citrix article Receiver | keyboard language set on VDA is over ridden by the one set on the endpoint.

Citrix CTA Julian Mooren also describes this problem on his blog in the article XenApp – Keyboard Layout is switching occasionally in MUI environment.

The settings described in this section only apply to ICA sessions and not to RDP.

I hope the information presented in this article was of some help to you.

Are you looking for the best remote desktop connection manager?

Then you’re in the right place.

As a System Administrator, it is common to establish multiple RDP connections on a day to day basis. You may also make other daily connections like SSH or telnet to manage and troubleshoot network equipment.

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To manually establish these connections over and over again is a major pain.

How many times a day do you enter in your credentials? Somedays I could end up making 50+ connections a day. That’s 50+ times I manually enter in my credentials to make a remote connection.

This is why I started using a remote desktop connection manager.

It saves me time and is much more efficient.

Let’s take a look at some of the best remote connection manager.

1. mRemoteNG

mRemoteNG is a multi tab remote connection manager. Just like RDCman it is a centralized tool that manages connections to remote systems. mRemoteNG has many features that RDCman does not have such as the ability to manage different connection types.

In addition to RDP, it supports VNC, ICA, SSH, Telnet, RAW, Rlogin and Http/S protocols.

The tab features comes in handy when you open multiple sessions and need to jump back and forth between them.

More features include, easy to organize and maintain a list of connections, store credentials for auto logons, importing from Active Directory, fullscreen mode, allows for grouping and nesting folders and more.

I really like this tool, it is easy to use and has a clean interface. I can group together all server connections and create separate groups for all other types of connections like SSH.

2. RoyalTS

RoyalTS is a connection manager that supports a variety of connection types such as RDP, VNC, SSH, S/FTP and web based interfaces.

It includes a built in credential manager, team sharing options so you can share a list of connections.

You can also automate tasks like command sequence and streamline workflows.

When researching connection managers, RoyalTS kept popping up on searches and in forums. It appears to be a popular choice by other System Admins.

I personally found it to be a bit clunky and complicated to get started. It does have a lot of features that other connection managers do not have but I just found it difficult to get started compared to other products.

3. Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager

Devolutions is another centralized connection manager that can handle different protocols and centralize credentials You can even integrate existing password managers such as keepass and lastpass.

This product includes a two factor authentication features. This will enforce two successive steps of authentication to grant access to the data source.

It also has the ability to manage desktops and servers with a mobile application. Devolutions comes in a free edition and paid edition. The free version is good for standalone users, the enterprise is best for teams.

4. DameWare Mini Remote Control

Damware is a tool primarily used by help desk staff and support technicians to easily establish connections with end user devices.

The main difference between this and an RDP connection manager is it allows the screen to be shared. With RDP the remote system will log off so you can’t share the screen with the end user. That’s why RDP managers are best for servers.

Damware is supported on Multiple platforms and allows remote control of Windows, Linux, and Max computers.

Additional Features

• Chat message to communicate with remote users
• Built in screenshot tool
• Secure file transfer
• Lock end users keyboard
• Remote Wake on LAN
• Remotely edit BIOS settings
• Active Directory integration
• and much more

5. Terminals

Terminals is a multi tab remote desktop manager that supports several protocols such as RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet, Citrix, HTTP and HTTPS.

Key features include a multi tab interface, open terminal window in full screen, resizable windows, connection history, customizable toolbars and search.

Terminals also includes several network tools such as ping, tracert, wak on lan, port scanner and who is. This can come in handy for some basic troubleshooting.

Terminals is an open source project and is currently not under development. It does still work on Windows 10.

Bonus Pick: Dameware Remote Everywhere

Dameware remote everywhere is a cloud based remote support solution that allows IT professionals to access nearly any platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android).

Remote everywhere allows you to quickly gain remote access to systems that are on premise such as users in the office or remote workers like when they are at home, at a hotel or anywhere with an internet connection. The cloud based web portal makes it easy to manage connections and support remote workers. This is a great tool for helpdesk or any IT professional that needs to remotely support end users.

Mac Rdp File

Key Features:

• Session recording
• Hide wallpaper and screen blanking
• Screen sharing and multi-monitor support
• Organize and manage connections
• Live chat and video conferencing
• Built in troubleshooting tools
• Remotely restart and shutdown devices
• and much more.

Final Thoughts

Each remote connection manager has its pros and cons. To find what best fits your needs I recommend downloading and trying them out for yourself. I personally use mRemoteNG and Damware mini remote control.

I use MremoteNG to manage RDP server connections and ssh connection to network switches. I like that it has a clean interface its simple to use and is not bloated with extra junk that I don’t need. I can also share the connection file with my team to make the whole team more efficient.

Helpdesk and my team use DamWare to connect to end users desktop and laptops. It allows us to remote shadow end users systems to troubleshoot and assist with any issues they have. With its wide range of features it’s a great tool for end user support.

That’s all. I hope that this list helped you find a remote connection manager for you and your team. You may also want to see check out my list of Active Directory Tools.

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