How to Sequence a New Standard Application (App-V 4.6 SP1)
Use the following procedure to create a new standard virtual application package by using the Application Virtualization (App-V) Sequencer. This procedure applies to most applications that you sequence. For more information about the types of applications you can sequence, see How to Determine Which Type of Application to Sequence (App-V 4.6 SP1). You must run the sequencer (SFTSequencer.exe) using an account that has administrator privileges because of the changes the sequencer makes to the local system. These changes can include writing files to the C:\Program Files directory, making registry changes, starting and stopping services, updating security descriptors for files, and changing permissions.
Important During sequencing, if the computer running the Sequencer is running Windows Vista or Windows 7 and a restart is initiated outside of the virtual environment, for example, Start / Shut Down, you must click Cancel when prompted to close the program that is preventing Windows Vista or Windows from shutting down. If you click Force shut down, the package creation fails. When you click Cancel, the Sequencer successfully records the restart while the application is being sequenced.
Note Running the App-V sequencer in Safe Mode is not supported.
To sequence a new standard application
To start the App-V Sequencer, on the computer that is running the App-V Sequencer, click Start / All Programs / Microsoft Application Virtualization / Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer.
To start the Create New Package Wizard, click Create a New Virtual Application Package. To create the package, select Create Package (default), and then click Next.
On the Prepare Computer page, review the issues that could cause the package creation to fail, or for the package to contain unnecessary data. We strongly recommend that you resolve all potential issues before you continue. After you have fixed the conflicts, to update the information that is displayed, click Refresh. After you have resolved all potential issues, click Next.
Important If you are required to disable virus scanning software, scan the computer running the Sequencer to ensure that no unwanted or malicious files could be added to the package.
On the Type of Application page, click Standard Application (default) check box, and then click Next.
For more information about the types of applications that you can sequence, see How to Determine Which Type of Application to Sequence (App-V 4.6 SP1).
On the Select Installer page, click Browse and specify the installation file for the application. If the application does not have an associated installer file and you plan to run all installation steps manually, select the Perform a Custom Installation check box, and then Click Next.
On the Package Name page, specify a name that will be associated with the package. The name helps identify the purpose and version of the application that are added to the package. The package name is also displayed in the App-V management console. The Primary Virtual Application Directory displays the Application Virtualization path where the application will be installed on target computers. To edit this location, select Edit (Advanced).
Important Editing the Application Virtualization path is an advanced configuration task. You should fully understand the implications of changing the path. For most applications, the default path is recommended.
Click Next.
On the Installation page, when the Sequencer and application installer are ready, install the application so that the Sequencer can monitor the installation process. Perform the installation by using the application’s installation process. If additional installation files must be run as part of the installation, click Run to locate and run the additional installation files. When you are finished with the installation, select I am finished installing. Click Next.
On the Installation page, wait while the Sequencer configures the virtual application package.
On the Configure Software page, optionally run the programs contained in the package. This step helps complete any associated license or configuration tasks that are required to run the application before you deploy and run the package on target computers. To run all the programs at one time, select at least one program, and then click Run All. To run specific programs, select the program or programs you want to run, and then click Run Selected. Complete the required configuration tasks and then close the applications. It can take several minutes for all programs to run. Click Next.
On the Installation Report page, you can review information about the virtual application package you just sequenced. For a more detailed explanation about the information displayed in Additional Information, double-click the event. After you have reviewed the information, click Next.
On the Customize page, if you are finished installing and configuring the virtual application, select Stop now and skip to step 15 of this procedure. If you want to customize any of the items in the following list, select Customize.
Edit the file type associations and the icons associated with an application.
Prepare the virtual package for streaming. Streaming improves the experience when the virtual application package is run on target computers.
Specify the operating systems that can run this package.
Click Next.
On the Edit Shortcuts page, you can optionally configure the file type associations (FTA) and shortcut locations that will be associated with the various applications in the package. To create a new FTA, in the left pane, select and expand the application you want to customize, and then click Add. In the Add File Type Association dialog box, provide the necessary information for the new FTA. To review the shortcut information associated with an application, under the application, select Shortcuts, and in the Location pane, you can edit the icon file information. To edit an existing FTA, click Edit. To remove an FTA, select the FTA, and then click Remove. Click Next.
On the Streaming page, run each program so that it can be optimized and run more efficiently on target computers. It can take several minutes for all the applications to run. After all applications have run, close each of the applications, and then click Next.
Note If you want to stop an application from loading during this step, in the Application Launch dialog box, click Stop, and select one of the check boxes, Stop all applications or Stop this application only, depending on what you want.
- On the Target OS page, specify the operating systems that can run this package. To enable all supported operating systems in your environment to run this package, select Allow this package to run on any operating system. To configure this package to run only on specific operating systems, select Allow this package to run only on the following operating systems and specify the operating systems that can run this package. Click Next.
Important The operating systems specified during this step reflect the operating systems on target computers that are enabled to run the package. You must ensure that the operating systems specified are supported by the application you are sequencing.
- On the Create Package page, to modify the package without saving it, select Continue to modify package without saving using the package editor. Selecting this option opens the package in the Sequencer console so that you can modify the package before it is saved. Click Next.
To save the package immediately, select the default Save the package now. Add optional Comments that will be associated with the package. Comments are useful for identifying version and other information about the package. The default Save Location is also displayed. To change the default location, click Browse and specify the new location. The uncompressed package size is displayed. If the package size exceeds 4 GB (uncompressed) and you plan to stream the package to target computers, you must select Compress Package. Click Create.
On the Completion page, after you have reviewed the information displayed in the Virtual Application Package Report pane, click Close. The information displayed in the Virtual Application Package Report pane is also available in the directory specified in step 15 of this procedure, in a file named Report.xml.
The package is now available in the Sequencer. To edit the package properties, click Edit [Package Name]. For more information about modifying a package, see How to Modify an Existing Virtual Application Package (App-V 4.6 SP1)
Important After you have successfully created a virtual application package, you cannot run the virtual application package on the computer that is running the Sequencer.
Related topics
Tasks for the Application Virtualization Sequencer (App-V 4.6 SP1)
How to Determine Which Type of Application to Sequence (App-V 4.6 SP1)