Advantages and benefits

No infrastructure changes needed

Virtualized applications can be deployed using any existing software deployment systems including Active Directory and SMS. ThinApp has no client or server components to manage or maintain and ThinApp can transparently stream large applications from any network attached storage devices without server software.

User-mode only secure execution

Microsoft ’s best practices recommend user mode solutions to reduce the scope and impact of security breaches. ThinApp executes entirely in mode with no kernel-mode code or device drivers. This enables seamless distribution to locked-down desktops with full assurances that local security policies cannot be violated by kernel-mode code.

For mobile users, ThinApp turns managed kiosk PC into a preconfigured workstation with any USB Flash device. For Citrix and MS Terminal Server environments ThinApp ensures system stability and limits security breaches to specific user-mode sandboxes by executing entirely in user mode. ThinApp eliminates the need to grant applications Administrator privileges in cases where they were improperly designed to write to global file system or registry locations.

Fast, lightweight virtualization

ThinApp is an application level solution and does not use emulation, so all processes are executed natively at full speed without the typical 25- 50% speed reduction of other machine virtualization solutions.

The ThinApp VOS occupies ~300K on disk and is embedded with each application so there is no client to manage. Additionally, because ThinApp only virtualizes applications, not an entire new OS, additional Windows licenses are not required and memory impact is minimal.

Streaming without infrastructure changes

Using streaming, ThinApp can launch very large applications from any shared LAN resource in seconds. ThinApp can stream application code and data from a standard Windows fileserver or network share without a client install or specialized servers required, enabling application streaming with no infrastructure changes. Users can launch an application from a local shortcut, network share, URL, or email link. Active Directory can be used to limit access of applications to specific sets of users.

Windows Vista Ready – Instant Migration
ThinApp fully supports Windows Vista and makes migration easier by eliminating LUA related errors and compatibility issues.

Isolation eliminates conflicts

ThinApp includes new file system and registry isolation capabilities that prevents applications from being affected by other software installed on the same system. Two versions of the same applications can appear to be installed and run from the same directory without conflicts even where virtual and non-virtual versions exist at the same location. ThinApp also provides Windows side-by-side DLL isolation capabilities without having to redevelop applications or needing to upgrade to XP/Vista.

Sandboxing prevents modifications

ThinApp redirects all changes intended for the host PC’s file system and registry to a private per-user sandbox. Sandboxes can be located on a network share allowing application settings to follow users as they move from machine to machine. Because all changes can be separated from the host OS, broken machines can be replaced like light bulbs with no impact on the user. For mobile users, sandboxes can be stored on local USB flash devices thus preventing damage to the host PC or accidental host storage of senitive data.

ThinApp unchains developers

ThinApp enables corporate developers to choose from the latest tools and technologies without concern for deployment issues, backwards compatibility of shared components, or desktop integration/regression testing. ThinApp supports .NET, Java, ActiveX, COM, MDAC, ODBC, and allows the latest developer technologies to be deployed to restricted user accounts with zero installation or impact on other applications.

System Requirements

ThinApp supports Windows NT, 2k, XP, w2k3, Vista, Terminal Server, and Citrix MetaFrame with no dependencies or client to install.

ThinApp supports .NET, Java, ActiveX, COM, MDAC, ODBC, and allows the latest developer technologies to be deployed to restricted user accounts with zero installation or impact on other applications.