Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
Verified with Citrix Workspace App 26.3.10 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Citrix Components\Citrix Workspace\Client Engine Description
Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
Registry
HKLM
SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix Value name: EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled
Enabled: EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled = 1
Disabled: EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled = 0
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix]
"EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix' -Name 'EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix' -Name 'EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Do not allow desktop launch when InitialProgram setting is missing or empty in ICA file
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: All Citrix Workspace supported platforms
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Citrix'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EmptyInitialProgramLaunchRestrictionEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.