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App-V: Microsoft Application Virtualization

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There is a solution provided by the MDOP package called Microsoft App-V. With it we can make the application run in a virtualized environment, without having to install or configure it on the local machine.

To understand how an App-V application works, consider the example of a common software as shown in Figure 1:

Figure 1 - Example of typical application

When a program is installed it creates some services, configuration files, registry keys and some data on the local machine. Normally when we have another program that needs to change some of these resources an error occur when the two are running concurrently.

Now, notice how the virtual application works by figure 2

Figure 2 - Virtual Application

The files, records and key services are running inside a virtual environment that are sent to users via streaming through Server App-V, creating a kind of isolation or "bubble" in the software, ensuring that one or more application runs at the same time, besides speeding up the installation to customers. When the user closes the software connection is terminated and the software is removed (in fact there are no installation or removal, as the program runs through the virtual environment).

Using the App-V you'll have some opportunities and features that do not exist in a normal app, for example:

  • Run the application using the streaming Server AppV, eliminating the local installation on machines
  • Use two incompatible software on the same computer
  • Updating an application through the server without having to configure them for clients clients
  • Control the software usage per license. For example, only 10 users can use the application simultaneously or tie software to a group or a specific user.
  • Present the application quickly and easily to users

For help in understanding the App-V I did 3 step-by-step articles, check it out:

In the first article you can see the prerequisites, installation and post configuration of Server App-V.

The second deals with the procedure to transform a normal application in a virtual application and finally the application importation and publication of them to users through the server.

The purpose of articles is to show how simple the life cycle of a virtual application is, starting with the server installation, conversion and installation for users.

For more information, There are some interesting links about App-V: