VMware ThinApp 4 features

100% Agentless Application Virtualization

• Application isolation. Isolated applications run in a virtual bubble in restricted user accounts without requiring any host modification. Deploy Office 97, 2003, 2007, and .NET applications on the same OS without conflict as the applications run independent of one another.
• Zero-runtime execution. With no installed agent, no footprint is left on the endpoint device. Applications run directly from the compressed state without first caching data to the hard disk, achieving better performance and security of data.
• 100% User Mode execution. Client runs on locked-down, unmanaged “kiosk” PCs without Admin rights to execute applications, enabling it to be used on managed and unmanaged PC.
• Block-by-block network streaming. Applications virtualized execute once the minimum amount of code required to run the application is available in the desktop’s memory. For example, less than 10% of Microsoft Office needs to be physically streamed to the client in order for it to run. LAN streaming has an average start-up time of just a few seconds.
• Sandbox environments for terminal services. Provide sandboxing for applications running in a terminal services environment so that multiple users can run their own sandboxed application without affecting each other. If one instance of the application tries to make system-wide changes, other users running the same applications are not affected.
• 64-bit operating system support. Enables applications to be virtualized and run on 64-bit systems.
• Execution on thin clients. Tested and certified to run virtualized applications on Windows XP-based thin clients.
• Compatibility with a broad range of applications. Proven deployments on simple-to-complex applications ranging from basic Microsoft Office to custom applications with Java or .NET.

Conflict-free Application Delivery

• Active Directory integration. VMware ThinApp does not require any distribution, streaming, or activation servers or agents. It works with AD, ESD enforcement tools, and open protocols so no additional hardware, software licenses and ongoing maintenance costs for backend infrastructure is required.
• Execution from USB key with portable profiles/user settings. Enable a user to run critical applications from a USB key while maintaining corporate security requirements.
• Integration with 3rd-party application management solutions. Creates .MSI and/or .EXE file that plugs into existing electronic software delivery systems (Inventory, Configuration Management Database, Definitive Software Library, Packagers) without additional integrations required.
• Application Sync. Enables application updates for mobile users as well as third parties on the corporate extranet, ensuring availability of the latest version of the application, reducing patch risks to machines that are taken off the network. Update virtual applications via http/https over the LAN or WAN leveraging existing software delivery systems.

Simplified Application Packaging

• Application Link. Allows packaged applications to dynamically establish dependencies ("links") with other packaged applications. Administers create separate packages of interdependent components such as Java or .NET runtimes and the applications that rely on them. Each component is delivered independently while sharing resources across multiple ThinApp packages.
• Package it once, deliver to many. Execute a packaged application on Windows NT, Windows PE, or XP Embedded without retesting or repackaging the application for each operating system.
• System snapshots. Provides administrators with a rapid three-step process for pre- and post-install system states for packaging simplicity and for supporting applications that require a reboot during the installation process.
• ISV embeddable. Organizations can deliver their custom application throughout their extranet using VMware ThinApp application virtualization technology.

For IT Directors

Upgrade operating systems without having to upgrade or replace legacy applications. Generate MSI files that can be registered with the underlying host OS to easily plug into your existing desktop management systems without painful integrations.

For Developers

Don’t limit your development environment to end user environments. You can use the latest runtimes, frameworks, and components for faster development time with ThinApp, by linking virtual applications with key components like Java or .Net. Deploy the latest technologies to restricted user accounts with zero installation or impact on other applications. Deliver your application as a USB application.

For Software Vendors (ISVs)

Deliver software that protects the local OS from modifications that might cause instability or breach security. Even restricted user accounts can safely run virtualized applications without requiring a local installation, making it much more appetizing for IT staff concerned about security. And with the ThinApp Virtual OS component a mere 400k on disk and occupying as little as 1 MB RAM at runtime, there is no noticeable impact on runtime performance.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems and Applications

ThinApp supports the following operating systems, and applications:

• 32-bit platforms: Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, Windows XPE, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista
• 64-bit platforms: Windows XP 64 bit, Windows 2003 64 bit, Windows Vista 64 bit
• 16-bit applications running on 32-bit Windows operating systems
• 32-bit applications running on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems
• Terminal Server and Citrix Metaframe

In addition, ThinApp supports the following items:

• Single-package support on all platforms
• Automatic migration for Windows NT or Windows 2000 to Windows XP and Windows XP to Windows Vista

ThinApp does not support the following operating systems and applications:

• 16-bit or non-x86 platforms such as Windows CE
• 64-bit applications running on 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating systems
• 16-bit applications running on 64-bit Windows operating systems

Printers

A captured application has full access to any printer that is installed on the PC it is running on. Captured applications and system-installed applications have the same printing ability. You cannot use ThinApp to virtualize printer drivers. You must manually install printer drivers on a PC.

Applications that ThinApp Cannot Capture

ThinApp does not support the capture of all applications and in some cases application functions might be degraded. The following is a list of software that you typically must deploy using traditional installation technologies:

• Applications requiring installation of kernel-mode device drivers (ODBC drivers work because they are user-mode).
• Products such as anti-virus and personal firewalls.
• Scanner drivers and printer drivers.
• Some VPN clients.

The following sections list some known limitations.

Device Drivers

Applications that require device drivers do not work when they are packaged with ThinApp. You must natively install those device drivers on the host PC. Antivirus, VPN clients, personal firewalls, and disk and volume mounting-related utilities are usually not good candidates for ThinApp to capture. In addition, applications that make their features available by installing printer drivers cannot include a printer driver when ThinApp packages them.

Shell Integration

Some applications that ThinApp captures, such as applications that provide shell integration, might have reduced functions. When they are captured they are no longer integrated with other applications on the system. Network-Visible DCOM Services ThinApp isolates COM and DCOM. Applications that install network-accessible DCOM services are accessible on the local PC only by other captured applications running in the same sandbox. ThinApp supports virtual DCOM and COM on the same PC but does not support network DCOM.

Global Hook DLLs

Some applications use the SetWindowsHookEx API function to add a DLL to all processes on the host PC. The added DLL can intercept Windows messages. This method captures keyboard and mouse input from other applications. ThinApp ignores requests from applications that use SetWindowsHookEx to try to install Global Hook DLLs.

VMware ThinApp Product FAQs

How Does VMware ThinApp Work?

VMware ThinApp simplifies application delivery by isolating applications from the underlying operating system and plugging directly into existing virtual and physical desktop management tools and infrastructure. ThinApp encapsulates applications inside a Virtual OS that transparently merges a virtual system environment with the real system environment while providing the following services:

Process loading. The Virtual OS loads a starting EXE file from the Virtual File System and allows it to execute any other EXE directly from the Virtual File System or from the normal file system.

DLL loading. TThe Virtual OS loads any DLL dependencies the EXE/DLL/ OCX files may have directly from archive when instructed.

Thread and process management. The Virtual OS tracks all processes and threads created inside the virtual machine including out-of-process COM and utility applications.

Sandbox environments for terminal services. VMware ThinApp has been successfully implemented over the ICA protocol in Citrix Terminal Services environments, and applications packaged with ThinApp can be sandboxed to run in a terminal services environment so that multiple users can run their own sandboxed VMware ThinApp applications.

Block-by-block memory streaming. Applications virtualized with ThinApp execute as soon as the minimum amount of code required to run the application is available on the desktop in memory. For example with the Oracle CRM client (950MB), only 350MB of the application needs to be physically streamed to the client in order for it to run.

Application Sync. This feature, unique to ThinApp, updates virtual applications via file share/http/https over the LAN or WAN and leverages existing software delivery systems, making it easier to deliver application updates to mobile users and third parties on the corporate extranet while helping to ensure compliance with configuration policies and reducing patch risks to machines that are taken “off the network.”

100% Agentless Application Virtualization

Virtual Operating System. The core feature of VMware ThinApp is the Virtual OS, a unique, lightweight embedded virtual registry and file system delivers high degree of application isolation, eliminating installation and runtime conflicts while increasing application portability.

Zero-runtime execution. VMware ThinApp does not leave a footprint on endpoint devices and allows applications to run directly from the compressed state without first caching data to the hard disk, enhancing performance and data security and eliminating single points of failure.

100% User Mode execution. Applications packaged with ThinApp run completely in User Mode, allowing users to use and customize their applications without installation or administrative access.

Broad application compatibility. VMware ThinApp is compatible with a broad range of applications, from Adobe Reader to complex applications from vendors such as Oracle and SAP (see Web site for complete list of compatible applications).

Conflict-Free Application Delivery

Agentless, infrastructure-free architecture. ThinApp works without the need for additional client agents or backend servers, and it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Active Directory, LANDesk and countless other third-party management solutions

VMware VDI compatibility. ThinApp makes a perfect complement to VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, and applications packaged with ThinApp can easily be deployed and managed on centralized virtual machines in the datacenter.

Get Started Today with VMware ThinApp

VMware ThinApp is available in the following purchase options:

• The VMware ThinApp Suite contains the ThinApp Packager, 1 license of Workstation for Windows for creating clean packages, plus 50 client licenses.
• Additional client licenses can be purchased for $39 per license with no limit to increments.

VMware ThinApp Purchase Options

VMware ThinApp 4 Suite

Eliminate application conflicts.

VMware ThinApp makes it possible to run virtually any version of an application on a single operating system without conflicts and to securely package applications for physical and virtual desktops. You’ll get a solution for the office or for the road that offers agent-less application virtualization, plugging into your existing infrastructure for maximum efficiency, security, convenience and cost savings.

VMware ThinApp:

• Accelerates time-to-value of applications in the development cycle
• Eliminates interoperability and compatibility testing of applications to save time and money
• Provides access to any application from anywhere on virtually any device, including USB smart drives and thin clients.
• Works with existing desktop management solutions

VMware VMware ThinApp 4 Client License

Eliminate application conflicts.

VMware ThinApp makes it possible to run virtually any version of an application on a single operating system without conflicts and to securely package applications for physical and virtual desktops. You’ll get a solution for the office or for the road that offers agent-less application virtualization, plugging into your existing infrastructure for maximum efficiency, security, convenience and cost savings. VMware ThinApp:

• Accelerates time-to-value of applications in the development cycle
• Eliminates interoperability and compatibility testing of applications to save time and money
• Provides access to any application from anywhere on virtually any device, including USB smart drives and thin clients
• Works with existing desktop management solutions