VMware ThinApp

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VMware ThinApp

VMware ThinApp v4.0 icon.png
Basic data

Maintainer VMware
developer VMware
Current  version 5.2.7
(March 31, 2020)
operating system Microsoft Windows
www.vmware.com

The VMware ThinApp Thinstall Virtualization Suite is a software for virtualization of application programs .

Thinstall was developed by Jitit , based in San Francisco , California , starting in 1999. In 2008 this was bought by VMware , which Thinstall continues to sell as an addition to the portfolio. As part of the integration, Thinstall was renamed ThinApp.

Application principle

An application is packed into a single, self-contained EXE file , which can then be executed independently. This makes it possible to use a wide variety of software applications without locally bound or laborious installation on client PCs or servers. When using "thin-installed" software, no entries are made in the registration database and no DLL files are created on the computer. All information and libraries required for execution are contained exclusively in the specially created EXE file. User settings and created documents are saved by default in a sandbox that can be created ; this can be located at the storage location of the EXE file as well as anywhere else. The EXE file created by ThinApp can be used both over a network and with rewritable storage media, e.g. B. USB sticks can be used, making it easy to use on several different computers.

The simple distribution, the usability on computers without admin rights and the simultaneous usability of different software versions without conflicts is also pleasant. Avoiding system interference ensures the security of the systems, all changes remain in the sandbox. A disadvantage is currently the difficult control of the use of created EXE files. It is possible to restrict the use of an EXE file to a specific environment, but this requires additional effort. A license manager is in the works, but there is no release date yet.

Areas of application

ThinApp is used by companies of all sizes, as well as by public institutions and schools. The reason for the use is mostly the simplification of software distribution or the solution of compatibility problems . This application can be used both for all computers of a user and as an isolated solution for solving an isolated problem. Customers include General Electric , the US Department of Defense , Intuit , Qualcomm , Lucent , Fujifilm , Northrop Grumman , Morgan Stanley , Telekom Deutschland and Toshiba .

ThinApp is particularly suitable for Microsoft Windows environments and supports Windows NT , 2000 , XP , 2003 , Vista , 7 , 8 and 8.1 , Terminal Server and Citrix MetaFrame without additional software installation. In addition, .NET , Java , ActiveX , COM , MDAC and ODBC are supported. Wine is required for use on Linux systems . However, there are versions of ThinApp that currently do not work well with Wine.

distribution

Thinstall Virtualization Suite is commercial software; there are no free versions for private users. Free demo downloads can be requested from the Thinstall website or from the dealers, but are only intended for companies. However, it is possible to download and test virtualized freeware from thindownload.de or to suggest further applications for provision.

VMware has renamed the software from version 4 to VMware ThinApp and completely incorporated it into the VMware range. VMware offers ThinApp for around $ 5,000. ThinApp ships with one ThinApp Setup Capture license and fifty VMware Workstation licenses. A client license costs $ 39.

For some time VMware offered a "ThinApp Starter Edition" free of charge to licensees of " VMware Workstation 7". The ThinApps created with it are only intended for personal use and may not be passed on to third parties.

Alternatives

An alternative to VMware ThinApp is Evalaze. The capture process is similar to that of ThinApp. With Evalaze, however, the virtual file system, the virtual registry and the degree of isolation can be edited directly via the builder. Spoon Studio Virtualisation Suite (formerly: Xenocode VS), has a different basic principle than ThinApp. Spoon requires the exact details of the program files, while ThinApp finds them automatically when the software is installed. Evalaze and Spoon are significantly cheaper than ThinApp in terms of purchase price, with very similar conditions.

Another alternative is the Symantec Endpoint Virtualization Suite (formerly "Software Virtualisation Solution" from Altiris, SVS). The approach is also different here: all files and registry entries are installed in a so-called software "layer" and stored in an SVS-specific folder or registry branch. At runtime, these layers are virtually "superimposed" on the real directories by a driver, so that the operating system z. B. "sees" the files in the Windows or Programs folder. The individual layers are encapsulated and can B. use different versions of the same file in the Windows-System32 folder in parallel. There is also a streaming and server solution. A free version for private users is available.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Download VMware ThinApp
  2. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original dated May 2, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.vmware.com
  3. ↑ Evalaze
  4. ↑ Virtualize Your Apps.Retrieved August 4, 2011
  5. ↑ Symantec Endpoint Virtualization Suite. Retrieved April 4, 2011
  6. ↑ SVS staff