Methods For Virtualizing Software - Symantec ALTIRIS 7.0 SP2 - MANAGEMENT SOLUTION Manual

Methods for virtualizing software

Software virtualization is the creation of virtual software layers. A virtual software
layer contains all the files and registry settings of one or more Windows-based
applications or sets of data.
See "Managing virtual applications"
See "About the applications that you can virtualize"
Warning: If a virtual application is reset, it is possible to lose the data that the
application creates or modifies. Before you use virtual applications, make sure
that you understand how to prevent the loss of application data.
See "About preventing the loss of virtual application data"
Methods for virtualizing software
Table 16-3
Method
Virtualize the software
during installation
on page 217.
Description
Lets you deliver the vendor s installation file. For example,
you can deliver an MSI or EXE. The installation file is
virtualized when it is installed. This method is only available
with Managed Software Delivery.
We recommend this method for the following reasons:
It uses the installation file that the vendor created so
that you do not have to repackage the installation.
It preserves any logic that the vendor might have added
to the installation.
For example, an installation might contain logic to install
a different DLL file depending on the computer s
operating system. If you repackage the software, this
logic is lost. A repackaged installation contains the DLL
file for only the operating system on which the
installation was repackaged.
See "Virtualizing software during installation"
Managing virtual applications
Methods for virtualizing software
on page 213.
on page 215.
on page 220.
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