Microsoft App-V supports the virtualization of applications, making them
available to end users without an installation
Advantages of Application Virtualization
1. Saves time on software installation – Application virtualization helps in reducing time spent
on software installation by allowing instant access to applications without the need for
individual setup processes.
2. Reduces hardware costs – It also helps in cutting down hardware costs as it minimizes the
need for physical servers by running multiple virtual applications on a single machine.
3. Increases application compatibility – By increasing application compatibility, it eliminates
issues related to software conflicts as applications run in their own isolated spaces.
4. Simplifies software updates – The process of updating software becomes simpler because
changes can be made in the virtual environment and automatically applied to all users.
5. Enhances data security and recovery – It also improves data security and recovery as all
data is stored centrally, making it easier to manage and protect, and recover in case of loss
or damage.
Disadvantages of Application Virtualization
1. Can have compatibility issues – Application virtualization may run into problems with
compatibility. This means that some applications might not work well or at all on certain
devices or operating systems.
2. Requires constant internet access – A constant internet connection is a must for application
virtualization as it relies on cloud-based services. Without steady internet, users may face
disruptions.
3. Can be slow performance – Performance can be slower in application virtualization. This is
because the apps are not running directly on your device, but over the internet.
4. Increased security risks – There can be an increase in security risks. As data is stored and
accessed remotely, it could be more vulnerable to cyber threats.
5. Limited user control – User control is often limited with application virtualization. Users may
not have the ability to modify or customize the application to their liking.
Sequencing Output Files and Limitations
4.1. Sequencing Limitations
There are applications that cannot or should not be sequenced. There are certain limitations with
App-V, below is a short list of application functions and limitations of the software. These kinds of
applications will be re-packaged using MSI packaging standards. (Please refer the MSI packaging
document for standards)
Limitation Description
Applications that are required by several • For example, a program that will initiate
applications for information or access a command and launch another program.
Normally both programs would be
included in the same suite. However if
this application launches or initiates
commands in several applications it may
not be feasible to include all of the
applications in the same suite.
• This is especially true if one of the
reasons for deploying App-V is to avoid
application conflicts. Always remember
that the virtual “bubble” can see the OS
and what’s installed on it but the OS
cannot see the “bubble” and interact
with it. On the same note, remember
that one “bubble” cannot see another
unless they are brought into the same
virtual environment using Connection
Groups.
Applications that start services at boot • App-V cannot virtualize drivers. It is
Time possible to bypass this issue and install
the driver locally on the target computer.
• Some user-mode device drivers can be
virtualized.
Applications that require device driver • App-V cannot virtualize drivers. It is
possible to bypass this issue and
install the driver locally on the target
Computer.
• Some user-mode device drivers can be
virtualized
Applications that are a part of the OS • Such as Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Updates
• Service Packs
Applications that use COM+ • Because COM+ is dynamic and
happens at runtime there’s no way
for the sequencer to capture this
information
Antivirus Applications • Data files and Engine Updates
COM DLL surrogate virtualization • For example, DLLs that run in
Dllhost.exe
4.2. Sequenced Files
Limitation Description
The Virtual Application Package file
.APPV containing all assets and state organized
into stream able feature blocks.
.MSI This Windows Installer (.msi) file is
created by the sequencer and is used to
install the virtual package on target
computers.
The deployment configuration file
_DeploymentConfig.XML determines how the virtual application
will be deployed to target computers.
Used for customizing the publishing
_UserConfig.XML parameters directed to specific user
groups for all applications in a package.
Report.XML (Can be removed from Final In this file, the sequencer saves all issues,
delivery) warnings, and errors that were
discovered during sequencing. It displays
the information after the package has
been created. You can us this report for
diagnosing and troubleshooting.
Import the App-V 5 module (so we can use the cmdlets below
Import-Module AppvClient
Set execution policy to unrestricted (used during testing – should really be set by policy in a live
environment)
Set-ExecutionPolicy unrestricted
Enable Package Scripting (can also be done via policy):
Set-AppvClientConfiguration -EnablePackageScripts 1
Add Package
Add-AppvClientPackage "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions.appv"
Add Package with a Deployment Config
Add-AppvClientPackage "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions.appv" -
DynamicDeploymentConfiguration "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions_DeploymentConfig.xml"
Publish Package (-Global will publish globally. Omitting this will publish to the user)
Publish-AppvClientPackage -Name "AlkaneSolutions" -Global
Add and publish App-V package along with a deployment xml
Add-AppvClientPackage "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions.appv" -
DynamicDeploymentConfiguration "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions_DeploymentConfig.xml" |
Publish-AppvClientPackage -Global
Add and publish App-V package along with a User Config xml (note how -Global is omitted from
this command)
Add-AppvClientPackage "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions.appv" | Publish-AppvClientPackage -
DynamicUserConfigurationPath "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions_UserConfig.xml"
Unpublish package
Unpublish-AppvClientPackage -name "AlkaneSolutions"
Delete App-V Package from cache
Remove-AppvClientPackage -name "AlkaneSolutions"
Add Connection Group
Add-AppvClientConnectionGroup -path "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions_ConnectionGroup.xml"
Enable Connection Group (-Global will publish globally. Omitting this will publish to the user)
Enable-AppvClientConnectionGroup -name "AlkaneSolutions_ConnectionGroup" -Global
Add and Enable a Connection Group on One Line
Add-AppvClientConnectionGroup -path "<Path to package>\AlkaneSolutions_ConnectionGroup.xml"
| Enable-AppvClientConnectionGroup -Global
Disable Connection Group
Disable-AppvClientConnectionGroup -name "AlkaneSolutions_ConnectionGroup"
Remove Connection Group
Remove-AppvClientConnectionGroup -name "AlkaneSolutions_ConnectionGroup"
Disable and Remove Connection Group on One Line
Disable-AppvClientConnectionGroup -name "AlkaneSolutions_ConnectionGroup" |
Remove-AppvClientConnectionGroup
View all added (not neccessarily published) packages (useful for retrieving names, GUIDs,
publishing status etc)
Get-AppvClientPackage -all
Short Description:
Connection groups are used in APP-V 5 as a replacement for Dynamic Suit Composition in 4.X
versions of App-V. It is used to connect two virtual applications which are already sequenced
separately.
Steps To follow To Create Standalone Connection Groups:
1) Publish the Primary Sequenced Application and get the PackageId and Version Id
2) Publish the Dependency Sequenced Application and get the Package ID and Version Id
3) Run the below command line two times in PowerShell to generate the unique
"AppConnectionGroupId" and "VersionId" for Connection group as shown in below,
[guid]::NewGuid()
4) Create the xml file with "Freemind.xml" name and copy the below code and save or use the
below below .xml file do the mentioned changes and Kept it in one of your system drive
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<AppConnectionGroup AppConnectionGroupId="Give your unique groupid generated
above" VersionId="Give your unique groupid generated above" Priority="0"
DisplayName="Freemind"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appv/2010/virtualapplicationconnectiongroup">
<Packages>
<Package PackageId="Give your main application Package id" VersionId="Give your main
application Package id">
</Package>
<Package PackageId="Give your main dependency application Package id"
VersionId="Give your dependency application Package id">
</Package>
</Packages>
</AppConnectionGroup>
5) Run the below command line in PowerShell to Add the Connection group:
Add-AppvClientConnectionGroup -Path 'c:\media\freemind.xml'
6) 6)Run the below command line in PowerShell to Enable the Connection Groups
Enable-AppvClientConnectionGroup –name Freemind -Global
7) Finally check the Connection Group was created or not in App-V client Console in
"Connection Group" Tab if it is success it will show the below screen in App-V Client.
Cmd.exe /appvve:<packageID_VersionID>
cmd.exe /appvve:c44fa602-b490-47dc-b791-e014ea7b6e1c_5d828f4b-4844-4f28-93fd-
85738e2350d6
Regedit.exe /appvve:c44fa602-b490-47dc-b791-e014ea7b6e1c_5d828f4b-4844-4f28-93fd-
85738e2350d6
RunVirtual:
Running a locally installed application inside a virtual environment with
virtualized applications
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppV\Client\RunVirtual]
@=""
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppV\Client\RunVirtual\
MyApp.exe]
@="aaaaaaaa-bbbb-cccc-dddd-eeeeeeee_11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppV\Client\Packages\C44FA602-B490-
47DC-B791-E014EA7B6E1C\Versions\5D828F4B-4844-4F28-93FD-85738E2350D6\
REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Power BI Desktop
