Microsoft App-V Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V) employs an innovative system for centrally deploying applications. Rather than "pushing" down and installing entire applications, the first time end users request an application, the App-V client rapidly responds and "pulls" only the code necessary to start the program from a central Virtual Application Server—typically 20 to 40 percent of the total application.

When the session terminates, the application and its user preferences are saved in a file-based cache location. Subsequent application launches are loaded from this local cache, resulting in faster launches with little impact on network bandwidth while ensuring that the user’s applications are also preserved, even in the case of unexpected computer shutdown.

The core of App-V's intelligent management is the App-V Management Web Service, which provides a central service for administering App-V servers and applications. Administrators communicate with the Management Web Service via the App-V Management Console. Using this console, you can publish and remove applications, control server settings, configure metering, and more.

Application virtualisation is at the heart of Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V). It decouples applications from the operating system and enables them to run as network services. Application virtualisation can be layered on top of other virtualisation technologies—network, storage, machine—to create a fully virtual IT environment where computing resources can be dynamically allocated in real-time based on real-time needs. App-V's patented application virtualisation, dynamic streaming delivery, and centralised management technologies make everything from deployments and upgrades to migrations and business continuity initiatives easier and faster with better agility:

Centralised, policy-based management:
Virtual Application deployments, patches, updates, and terminations are more easily managed via policies, and administered through the App-V console or via your ESD system. Use Microsoft App-V Application Virtualisation to help reduce the complexities inherent in enterprise application management. With App-V you can reduce challenges and transform your computing environment into a dynamic, services-oriented infrastructure.

The diagram illustrates the key components of Microsoft App-V Application Virtualisation.

Virtualised application environments enable each application to bring its own set of configurations and run without any installation within a virtual run-time abstraction layer on the client, so dependencies or effects on the configuration of the operating system are minimised. However, since applications execute locally, they run with full performance, functionality, and access to local services—including cut and paste, OLE, printing, network drives, and attached devices.

The table below illustrates how application virtualisation interacts with the operating system and other virtualised applications.

	Standard Operating System Environment: In standard OS environments, applications install their settings onto the host operating system, hard-coding the entire system to fit that application's needs. Other applications' settings can be overwritten, possibly causing them to malfunction or break.
	The Virtual Application Environment: With application virtualisation, each application brings down its own set of configurations on-demand, and executes in a way so that only it sees its own settings.
	Side-by-Side Virtualisation: Each App-V enabled application brings down its own set of configurations and can run side by side without the settings conflicting with each other—or the host operating system. Despite this separation, inter-application communication with other App-V applications and those installed locally is preserved, allowing for cut and paste, OLE, and all other standard operations.

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