Installation

PVS Forge is installed on a Citrix Provisioning server in your farm. From there it manages your master targets and PVS stores.

Download

The current installer is always available at download.pvs-forge.com/current — opening the link downloads PVSForge-Setup.exe. Run it on the PVS server to install or update PVS Forge.

System requirements

Component	Requirement
Host	A Citrix Provisioning server (PVS Forge runs on the server, not on a client)
Citrix Provisioning	Tested with 2402 LTSR, 2507 LTSR and 2603
PVS PowerShell snap-in	Citrix.PVS.Snapin available on the host (installed with the PVS console)
.NET (PVS server)	.NET 8 Desktop Runtime (x64) — the installer bundles it and installs it automatically if missing
Master targets	WinRM (port 5985) enabled and reachable from the PVS server.
Imaging account	On the master target: must hold the Log on as a batch job user right (see note below)
Store access	The vDisk store path reachable from the PVS server, with credentials that can write to it
Sync targets	SMB (port 445) reachable on every PVS server you sync to
Antivirus	The vDisk store excluded from real-time scanning on every PVS server (see Antivirus exclusions)

Hardened master targets need the Log on as a batch job right

PVS Forge registers the imaging task on the master target without storing a password — the hardening policy "Do not allow storage of passwords and credentials for network authentication" is fully compatible.

However, the imaging task runs as a batch logon, so the imaging account must hold the Log on as a batch job user right on the master target. If a hardening GPO (e.g. tiered/Tier hardening) removes or denies it, the imaging task cannot start and imaging never begins. Grant the imaging account Log on as a batch job and make sure no Deny log on as a batch job policy includes it.

Antivirus exclusions

Exclude the vDisk store from real-time antivirus scanning on every PVS server before you start imaging — this is standard Citrix Provisioning best practice, and setting it up front avoids intermittent "file in use" failures when PVS Forge finalizes a freshly imaged vDisk.

Exclude both the store location and the vDisk file types:

• the full path of each store, and
• *.vhdx, *.avhdx, *.pvp

If real-time protection is active while the store is not excluded, PVS Forge warns you in the live log.

Protocols and ports

PVS Forge (PVS1) controls the master target (MT) and syncs to other PVS servers (PVS2) over these connections:

The channel MT → PVS on TCP 8745 is TLS-secured and exchanges information like live status, cancel signal and more (the master target verifies a per-job certificate). The store connection (SMB 445) is used only to write the VHDX and the inventory/layout data — no control or status files are exchanged.

For the full breakdown — including which credentials are used on each hop and the optional ICMP ping — see Settings → Network ports.

Demo mode without PVS

If the Citrix PVS snap-in is not present (for example on a laptop without PVS), PVS Forge starts in a limited demo mode so you can explore the UI. Imaging is only available on a real PVS server.

Install

The installer is a single, branded setup wizard (one Setup.exe, no separate MSI to handle). It runs elevated and is available in English and German — it follows the server's display language and can be switched at the top right.

Run the installer on your PVS server and follow the wizard:

1. Welcome — overview of what will be installed (the PVS Forge application, the imaging agent, and the .NET 8 Desktop Runtime if it is not already present).
2. License agreement — read and accept the EULA to continue.
3. Installation folder — confirm the target folder (default C:\Program Files\Koetzing IT\PVSForge) and choose whether to create a desktop shortcut.
4. Ready to install — review the summary. Here you can optionally tick Open port 8745 in the Windows Firewall (off by default) — see Firewall.
5. Installing — the application, the agent and, if needed, the .NET 8 Desktop Runtime are installed. The runtime is bundled, so no internet connection is required.
6. License key (optional) — enter your license key right here, or skip it and activate later in the app — see Activating a license.
7. Finish — optionally launch PVS Forge straight away.

On first launch, a short in-app setup wizard helps you with the initial configuration.

Firewall (port 8745)

The imaging feedback channel uses inbound TCP 8745 on the PVS server. By default the installer does not change the firewall — PVS Forge creates the rule itself on the first imaging run. If you prefer to open it during setup, tick Open port 8745 in the Windows Firewall on the Ready to install step; the installer then adds the inbound rule “PVSForge Exchange” for TCP 8745.

Upgrading

To upgrade, simply run the new installer on a server that already has PVS Forge. It detects the installed version and offers “Upgrade to <version>?” — confirm and it replaces the old version in place. Your settings and license are kept.

Uninstalling

Uninstall from Apps & features, or run the installer again and choose Uninstall on the maintenance screen. By default your settings and license are kept. To remove them as well, tick Remove license and/or Remove configuration and settings on the uninstall screen (both off by default).

Licensing and trial

Imaging requires a valid license. Everything else (dashboard, comparison, vDisk storage, history) remains available without one.

• Trial: A 30‑day trial is available. Request a trial key with your business e-mail address — free-mail addresses (gmail.com, gmx.de, …) are not eligible. The trial key is bound to the machine it is first activated on.
• Purchase: Licenses come in two editions, Standard and Growth. A purchased license is not machine-bound.

Activating a license

You can activate a license during setup — on the optional License key step enter your key or load a *.pvsilic file — or at any time later in the app:

1. Open the License page in PVS Forge.
2. Paste your license key, or load the *.pvsilic license file.
3. The key is verified offline — no internet connection is required for activation.

If you entered the key during setup, PVS Forge activates it automatically on the first launch.

Imaging is gated by licensing

Without a valid license (or with an expired trial), PVS Forge will not start an imaging job. Activate or renew your license to unlock imaging again.

Next step

Continue with Create your first vDisk.