VMware Horizon Client Silent Install (How-To Guide)

The VMware Horizon Client for Windows allows you to connect to your VMware Horizon virtual desktop from your device of choice giving you on-the-go access from any location. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of the VMware Horizon Client from the command line using the EXE installer.

How to Install the VMware Horizon Client Silently

VMware Horizon Client Silent Install (EXE)

  1. Navigate to: https://www.vmware.com/go/viewclients
  2. Select GO TO DOWNLOADS under VMware Horizon Client for Windows
  3. Select Version of your choice
  4. Click Download Now
  5. Download the VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
  6. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  7. Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
  8. Enter the following command:
    • VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart
  9. Press Enter

After a few moments you should see the VMware Horizon Client Desktop Shortcut appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

Software Title:VMware Horizon Client
Vendor:VMware, Inc.
Architecture:x86_x64
Installer Type:EXE
Silent Install Switch:VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart
Silent Uninstall Switch:VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /uninstall /norestart
Repair Command:VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /repair /norestart
Download Link:https://www.vmware.com/go/viewclients
PowerShell Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/vmware-horizon-client-install-and-uninstall-powershell/

The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.


Additional Configurations

Create a VMware Horizon Client Installation Log File

The VMware Horizon Client installer offers the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following command to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.

VMware Horizon Client Silent Install (EXE) with Logging

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart /log "%WINDIR%\Temp\VMWareHorizonClient-Install.log"

Change VMware Horizon Client Default Installation Directory

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALLDIR=""C:\VMware\VMware Horizon View Client""

Configure IP (Internet Protocol) Version for Horizon Client

Configure IPv4 (default)

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart VDM_IP_PROTOCOL_USAGE=IPv4

Configure IPv6

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart VDM_IP_PROTOCOL_USAGE=IPv6

Configure Automatic Selection

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart VDM_IP_PROTOCOL_USAGE=Dual

Enable Horizon Client with FIPS-compliant Cryptography

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart VDM_FIPS_ENABLED=1

Configure VMware Horizon Default Connection Server

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart VDM_Server=cs1.companydomain.com

Display “Log in as current user” in the Options Menu on the Horizon Client Menu Bar

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart LOGINASCURRENTUSER_DISPLAY=1

Hide “Log in as current user” in the Options Menu on the Horizon Client Menu Bar

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart LOGINASCURRENTUSER_DISPLAY=0

Enable “Log in as current user” by default in the Options Menu on the Horizon Client Menu Bar

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart LOGINASCURRENTUSER_DEFAULT=1

Disable “Log in as current user” by default in the Options Menu on the Horizon Client Menu Bar

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart LOGINASCURRENTUSER_DEFAULT=0

Install the VMWare Horizon Client with all available features, except for URL Content Redirection

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart ADDLOCAL=ALL

Install the VMWare Horizon Client with the Log in as Current User Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart ADDLOCAL=TSSO

Install the VMWare Horizon Client with the USB Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart ADDLOCAL=USB

Enable the VMware Virtualization Pack for Skype for Business Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALL_SFB=1

Disable the VMware Virtualization Pack for Skype for Business Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALL_SFB=0

Enable the Support for HTML5 Multimedia Redirection and Browser Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALL_HTML5MMR=1

Disable the Support for HTML5 Multimedia Redirection and Browser Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALL_HTML5MMR=0

Disable the Scanner Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart REMOVE=Scanner

Disable the Folder Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart REMOVE=FolderRedirection

Disable the Serial Port Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart REMOVE=SerialPort

Include a VMware Horizon Client Desktop Shortcut

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart DESKTOP_SHORTCUT=1

Exclude a VMware Horizon Client Desktop Shortcut

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart DESKTOP_SHORTCUT=0

Include a Horizon Client Start Menu Shortcut

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart STARTMENU_SHORTCUT=1

Exclude a Horizon Client Start Menu Shortcut

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart STARTMENU_SHORTCUT=0

Enable the URL Content Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart URL_FILTERING_ENABLED=1

Disable the URL Content Redirection Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart URL_FILTERING_ENABLED=0

Enable the Horizon Client Auto Update Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED=1

Disable the Horizon Client Auto Update Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED=0

Enable the Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALL_TEAMS_REDIRECTION=1

Disable the Media Optimization for Microsoft Teams Feature

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /install /norestart INSTALL_TEAMS_REDIRECTION=0

How to Uninstall the VMware Horizon Client Silently

Check out the VMware Horizon Client Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.

  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter one of the following commands:

VMware Horizon Client Silent Uninstall (EXE)

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /uninstall /norestart

VMware Horizon Client Silent Uninstall (EXE) with Logging

VMware-Horizon-Client-YYMM-x.y.z-xxxxxx.exe /silent /uninstall /norestart /log "%WINDIR%\Temp\VMWareHorizonClient-Uninstall.log"

Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.

Jason Bergner

I am an accomplished Software Engineer at Patch My PC, leveraging more than 18 years of hands-on experience in Configuration Manager administration and application packaging. I am driven by a genuine passion for solving complex problems and consistently strive to discover innovative and effective solutions. Sharing my extensive knowledge of application deployments is a true joy for me, and I am honored to contribute to the community here at Silent Install HQ.

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