The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is a suite of tools available to Microsoft Software Assurance customers that enables IT admins to manage Microsoft environments more effectively. App-V—one of the tools included in MDOP—has been updated with significant enhancements IT admins and users will appreciate.

What is App-V

Let’s start with a little background on App-V, which is short for application virtualization. Rather than having you install separate copies of software on individual PCs, App-V enables organizations to host the application and deliver it virtually to users. From the user’s perspective, the software looks and acts as if it’s installed locally, but from the IT admin’s point of view it is much easier to manage and maintain a single instance of the application.

App-V software is never installed locally, so there are no conflicts or compatibility issues to worry about. The software is streamed from the App-V server and can be cached and executed locally so it’s still available even if the system isn’t online. App-V can permit organizations to continue using legacy applications that can’t be installed locally on newer versions of Windows, or to run newer software on older versions of Windows.

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