VDI: What version of Windows 7 Desktop OS to Install?

When it comes to setting up a client’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), we have already configured their Software Assurance plus MDOP to gain access to VDI.

So, do we install Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Enterprise into those VMs?

In many cases there will be no need for Enterprise to be installed for regular VM access.

However, there will be some cases where Enterprise does make sense. One is for a firm or company that uses multiple monitors on their remote and local desktop.

Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate give us access to the ability to RDP into the VM and utilize multiple monitors at the source.

Note that both endpoints in the RDP connection must be either Enterprise or Ultimate. No other Windows desktop OS versions support this RDP capability.

Now, depending on the Internet connection the client uses we would tailor a GPO with RDP related settings to limit bit depth to 15bpp and the number of monitors to 2 for smaller connections while we would up the number of monitors for larger connections.

Also note that users connecting to their office desktop via the SBS 2011 Remote Web Access portal that have two monitors hooked up to their home machine will get both monitors in the remote session if using Ultimate at home and Enterprise/Ultimate on their office desktop.

We find that clients that utilize multiple monitors see their user’s productivity increase exponentially.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Windows Live Writer