How to Best Use and Manage a Virtual Desktop in 2025

Virtual desktops give users remote access to a Windows environment—from anywhere, on any device. They’re a powerful tool for modern workforces and software delivery, but managing a virtual desktop environment isn’t always straightforward.

For Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) in particular, traditional virtual desktop management can feel like overkill—especially when the end goal is to deliver a single Windows application, not an entire desktop.

In this guide, we’ll explore how virtual desktops work, how to use and manage them effectively, and why GO-Global is a smarter alternative when you just need to get your app into users’ hands.

What Is a Virtual Desktop?

A virtual desktop is a Windows operating system that runs on a centralized server—often in the cloud—rather than a local machine. Users access it through a browser or remote desktop client to run applications, access files, or use desktop features remotely.

Common use cases:

• Supporting hybrid or remote employees
  
  
• Providing trial access to software
  
  
• Hosting legacy Windows applications in the cloud
  
  
• Centralizing software management and security

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The Challenge: Virtual Desktop Management Isn’t Easy

While virtual desktops are incredibly flexible, setting them up and keeping them running smoothly is a different story—especially for ISVs.

Common Virtual Desktop Management Tasks:

• Deploying session brokers, gateways, and load balancers
  
  
• Managing OS and security updates
  
  
• Configuring licensing for RDS, Citrix, or Azure
  
  
• Monitoring user sessions and performance
  
  
• Handling login issues and end-user support
  
  

For internal IT teams, these are expected. But for ISVs delivering a single app, this level of infrastructure is often unnecessary.

When Virtual Desktops Are Too Much

Most enterprise-grade virtual desktop platforms—like Azure Virtual Desktop, Citrix, or Amazon Workspaces —were built for managing hundreds or thousands of enterprise employees. They shine when:

• Full desktop environments are needed
  
  
• Centralized security and compliance are top priorities
  
  
• Complex user provisioning is required
  
  

But for ISVs who just want users to run a Windows app remotely, these platforms come with steep trade-offs:

• High cost per user (even if they only use one app)
  
  
• Long deployment timelines
  
  
• Heavy IT involvement
  
  
• Difficult scaling for small teams
  
  

A Simpler Alternative for ISVs: GO-Global

If you’re an ISV trying to modernize delivery—without managing desktops or infrastructure—GO-Global offers a better way.

Instead of creating full desktops, GO-Global lets you publish just your Windows application to the cloud. Users log in via browser and launch the app directly.

Why GO-Global Makes Virtual Desktop Management Irrelevant:

• No desktop overhead – Just the application, nothing else
  
  
• No extra licensing – Lower cost and complexity
  
  
• Cross-platform access – Mac, Linux, Chromebook, mobile
  
  
• Simple setup – Live in hours, not weeks
  
  
• Fully secure – Encrypted sessions and no open RDP ports
  
  

For ISVs, GO-Global removes the need to manage virtual desktops altogether. You deliver the functionality users need—without the infrastructure you don’t.

How to Use GO-Global in Place of a Virtual Desktop

1. Install GO-Global on your Windows server
   
   
2. Publish your app (not a full desktop)
   
   
3. Share a browser link with users
   
   
4. They log in and launch your app—directly
   
   

There’s no remote desktop interface to manage and no help desk tickets about display settings or login bugs.

Final Thoughts

Virtual desktops are still useful—but for ISVs, they often introduce unnecessary infrastructure, cost, and maintenance. If your goal is to let users run a Windows application remotely, virtual desktop management becomes an avoidable burden.

GO-Global delivers the same result—access to your application—but skips the desktop, simplifies your workflow, and gives your users a cleaner experience.

If you’re trying to use or manage virtual desktops in 2025, it’s worth asking:

Do you actually need a virtual desktop—or just a better way to deliver your app?

Are you an ISV exploring cloud-based application delivery? Contact us to learn how GO-Global can help you streamline software access for your end users. Or download a free trial to test it yourself.