AVD · RDS · RemoteApp · Citrix XenApp
How TwinPane actually works
Two lightweight apps. One secure connection. Complete file access between your remote session and local PC - whether you're running a full virtual desktop or a published RemoteApp or XenApp application.
Questions? [email protected]
The problem
Remote desktops feel disconnected
When you work inside an Azure Virtual Desktop, RDS session, Microsoft RemoteApp, or a Citrix XenApp published app, your local machine feels miles away. Opening a PDF in Acrobat, saving a file to your desktop, or accessing a local network drive - all of it becomes a friction-filled ordeal.
Without TwinPane
- ✕Download file to server, email to yourself, re-download locally
- ✕Slow RDP drive redirection that IT often disables for security
- ✕Copy-paste files through the clipboard (unreliable, size-limited)
- ✕No access to local network drives from inside the session
With TwinPane
- Double-click any file in your remote session - it opens locally instantly
- Works without RDP drive redirection - IT policy-friendly
- Browse local folders directly from inside File Explorer on the server
- Local network drives automatically appear in the remote session
Architecture
Two apps, one secure channel
TwinPane consists of two lightweight Windows applications that communicate through their own encrypted connection, independently of RDP and ICA virtual channels.
TwinPane Server
Remote Host
Runs on your AVD session host, RDS server, or Citrix worker. Installed once by IT - serves all users on that host.
Outside RDP / ICA
No clipboard redirection
TwinPane Client
Your Local PC
Runs silently on each user's local Windows PC. Deployed by IT via Intune or SCCM - requires admin rights to install. Users interact with it automatically.
The TwinPane Server and Client connect the remote session to the user's local PC through TwinPane's own connection, independently of the remote desktop transport.
Works with RemoteApp & XenApp too
TwinPane doesn't require a full remote desktop. It works equally well when users run individual published applications - Microsoft RemoteApp or Citrix XenApp/CVAD. TwinPane's independent connection supports local file opening and Mirror Mode in these published-app sessions too.
Three features, one seamless experience
Here's exactly what happens when each feature is used.
Feature 1
Local File Opening
You're inside your AVD session, working in an app that generates a report as a PDF. You want to read it in Adobe Acrobat on your local machine, not the clunky remote viewer.
You double-click the PDF in File Explorer inside your remote session
The TwinPane Server intercepts the file open request and transfers the file over its own encrypted connection
The TwinPane Client receives the file and opens it with the correct local app (Acrobat, VS Code, etc.)
The file opens on your local PC in milliseconds - as if it was always there
Feature 2
Mirror Mode
Mirror Mode makes the remote session's File Explorer feel exactly like your local one. Your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and Quick Access pins all point directly to your actual local machine.
TwinPane Client exposes your local folders over its own encrypted connection
The Server mounts them as Quick Access pins and a virtual X: drive
Navigating into a mirrored folder reads files directly from your local PC
Network drives you've mapped locally also appear in the remote session
Feature 3
Virtual X: Drive
Beyond Quick Access pins, TwinPane mounts your local folders and mapped drives as the Client PC (X:) drive inside the remote session. You get full read/write access - browse, copy, save, or open files as if they were on a regular network share.
Common use cases
Open a local file in a remote application (e.g. CAD software on AVD)
Save a file directly to your local Downloads from inside the session
Access a local NAS or mapped drive from an app running on the server
Up and running in minutes
Install the Server on the remote host and the Client on each local PC. Review deployment requirements with your IT team.
Option A
IT-managed deployment
Via Intune, SCCM, or GPO - users do nothing
Push the TwinPane Server installer to session hosts via Intune, SCCM, or any software deployment tool. Supports silent install and system-wide configuration.
Push the TwinPane Client installer to user endpoints via Intune or SCCM. The license key can be pre-configured so users never see an activation prompt.
Users log into their remote session as normal. TwinPane is already installed and activated - files open locally immediately, no setup required.
Option B
Self-setup
For smaller teams or trial setups
Run the TwinPane Server installer on your AVD/RDS host. Takes under 2 minutes.
Each user runs the TwinPane Client installer on their local PC. Admin rights are required for installation.
Enter the license key from the confirmation email. The Client activates and pairs with the Server automatically.
Log into the remote session. Files open locally, Mirror Mode is active, X: drive is ready.
Common questions
Does TwinPane use the RDP or ICA connection to transfer files?
No. TwinPane transfers files through its own encrypted connection outside RDP and ICA. Review the deployment guides with your IT team to confirm the requirements for your environment.
Does this work with multi-session AVD (many users on one host)?
Yes. The TwinPane Server handles multiple simultaneous user sessions, pairing each session with the corresponding user's TwinPane Client on their local PC.
Does IT need to do anything for each user?
Both the Server and Client require admin rights to install. In most enterprise deployments, IT pushes both via Intune or SCCM so users never need to do anything themselves.
Will it work if RDP drive redirection is disabled?
Yes, that's actually one of TwinPane's key advantages. It works completely independently of RDP drive redirection, so IT can keep that disabled for security while users still get full local file access.
What file types can be opened locally?
Any file type. TwinPane transfers the file to your local PC and opens it with whatever app is set as the default for that file type - PDF in Acrobat, .docx in Word, images in Lightroom, etc.
Ready to try it yourself?
30-day free trial. 5 licenses included. No credit card required.