VMware has created user interaction aids to help you navigate conventional user interface elements in a remote desktop on a non-Windows device.

Note: If the client device has a touch screen, you can use different gestures depending on whether the Advanced Touch feature is activated for the client. For more information, see Client Features.

Keyboards and Keypads

You can use the device's physical keyboard to enter input in a remote desktop or application.

If the device has a touch screen, you can use the following gestures to display the on-screen keyboard:

  • If Advanced Touch is activated, tap with three fingers at the same time.
  • If Advanced Touch is not activated, hold down three fingers at the same time.

Horizon Client also supports input from an external numeric keypad in a remote desktop. To enable the use of a numeric keypad, perform the following steps.

Note: Horizon Client supports the use of a numeric keypad in remote desktops only. Numeric keypads are not supported for remote applications.
  1. Log out and disconnect from the remote desktop.
  2. Click the Settings toolbar button in the upper-right corner of the desktop and application selector window.
  3. Turn on the Use Numeric Keypad for Desktop option.
  4. Connect to the remote desktop.
  5. Point to the top of the remote desktop window until the menu bar appears and click to highlight and enable the Numeric Keypad button.

Clicking

As in other apps, you can tap your touchpad to click a user interface element. If the device has a touchscreen, you can touch to click a user interface element. You can also use the buttons on an external mouse, including the forward and back buttons.

Dragging

As in other apps, you can hold down the button on the touchpad or an external mouse to drag a user interface element.

If the device has a touch screen, you can use the following gestures:

  • If Advanced Touch is activated, hold one finger down on the user interface element and slide the finger to drag.
  • If Advanced Touch is not activated, hold one finger down for a long touch on the user interface element and then slide the finger to drag.

Right-clicking

The following options are available for right-clicking:
  • Tap with two fingers on the touchpad.
  • Hold down the Alt key on the keyboard and tap the touchpad with a single finger.
  • Use an external mouse to right-click.
  • If the device has a touch screen, you can use the following gestures:
    • If Advanced Touch is activated, hold one finger down for a long touch and then release. Or, tap with two fingers at the same time.
    • If Advanced Touch is not activated, tap with two fingers at the same time.

Scrolling and Scrollbars

The following options are available for vertical and horizontal scrolling.

  • Tap and hold with your thumb and then scroll down with one finger on the touchpad. You can also scroll with two fingers.
  • Use an external mouse to scroll.
  • If the device has a touch screen, you can use the following gestures:
    • If Advanced Touch is activated, slide with two fingers to scroll. The content under your fingers moves in the same direction as your fingers.
    • If Advanced Touch is not activated, hold down two fingers for a long touch and then slide to scroll. The content under your fingers moves in the same direction as your fingers.

Zooming In and Out

If the device has a touch screen, you can use the following gestures:
  • If Advanced Touch is activated, place two fingers on the screen, and pinch your fingers apart to zoom out and pinch your fingers together to zoom in
  • If Advanced Touch is not activated, there is no support for zooming in and out with the touch screen

Window Resizing

To use the touchpad to resize a window, touch and hold one finger at the corner or side of the window and drag to resize.

If the device has an external mouse, place your pointer on the edge of the window and drag the border of the window to make it wider or narrower.

If the device has a touch screen, place one finger at the corner or side of the window and drag to resize.

Sound, Music, and Video

If you have turned on the sound for your device, you can play audio in a remote desktop.