Files with the.ICA extension contain configuration information for a Citrix server, necessary for connecting to remote servers. The information can refer to specific remote virtual apps or to the work environment of the server, such as the virtual desktop, which allows for broad use in terms of remote system administering and remote access to important apps without the need for local installation.The files are supported by Citrix client software, which allows for the opening of remote apps or desktops in a web browser window. ICA (short for Independent Computing Architecture) file extension is used by configuration files for Citrix server application. ICA files stores information related to Citrix server configuration. Benefits of using ICA filesInformation stored in ICA files allows clients to connect with remote servers.
This information can describe details regarding remote applications or server desktops, for example, a virtual desktop that allows remote system administration and access to business applications and services from any location. What it means is that users can use said application without the need of installing them on their local computer. Additional informationICA files can be created using ICA File Creator tool or any standard text editor. How to open ICA filesIf you cannot open the ICA file on your computer - there may be several reasons.
The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports ICA among those that are installed on your device.A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the ICA file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application. Possible problems with the ICA format filesThe inability to open and operate the ICA file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Citrix Independent Computer Architecture Format file.
Citrix Ica File
How to associate the file with an installed software?If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. My-file.ICA) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected ICA file. From the drop-down menu select 'Choose default program', then click 'Browse' and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the ICA file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
When writing Citrix scripts, I depend on ICA files almost exclusively as my means of connecting to the published application. In past versions of Citrix, ICA files were very easy for Citrix admins to create.
When Presentation server 4.0 came out, they removed the ability to create these files easily. While searching for an way to do this myself, I ran across an application that I am going to consider essential for any of my future Citrix engagements. It is called Smart Citrix ICA Client. It allows you to select all of your connection settings and then you can either launch the published app or you can export the settings to an ICA file.The only problem that I have found is that there is no way to select whether the ICA file is automatically deleted after it is opened.
Since ICA files are mainly used when connecting to Citrix via the web, they are set to auto-delete by default. So that means once you create the ICA file in Smart Cirix ICA Client, you need to open up the ica file and set the RemoveICAFile option to ‘No’. I have included some screenshots and the link to download below.