So I created the ADM file myself by using the Microsoft documentation and the ADMX and ADML files here: http://www.microsoft.com/GetSilverlight/resources/documentation/grouppolicysettings.aspx

They are mostly Computer settings but also one User setting for DRM. If you want to use this user settings based on a computer OU, you need to take a look at loopback processing of Group Policy.

I'm not really sure which versions are supported of Silverlight with these settings, but they are the same as used in the official Microsoft link mentioned above.

Before you download this custom ADM template read the following disclaimer:

Disclaimer: Use this Silverlight.adm template at your own risk. I'm not responsible for any problems or issues that arise after you implement this ADM template. Neither do I offer any form of support.

  Custom ADM Template for Microsoft Silverlight.

Right-Click, Save Target As and remove the .txt extension.

We added a number of new features to the matrix, for example:

-          Pre-packaging diagnostics to check if packaging machine is configured correctly

-          Post-packaging diagnostics to check for issues and/or unsupported technology

Another noticeable change is the support for x64 applications iin the InstallFree Bridge.

New mentioned in the document are the vendors Roozz from Danmark, Evalaze and the free application virtualization solution Cameyo. They are currently not present in the feature matrix itself, so drop us a line if you think they should be in there or if have any other remarks regarding the document. You find the contact info in the Smackdown.

The current version 3.1 of the Smackdown discusses the following products:

Check the changelog at the end of the Smackdown document for all the updates we made.

Download the Application Virtualization Smackdown

Ruben's blog post on BrianMadden.com

The automatic loading of App-V packages in the client cache is a feature introduced in the 4.x clients. The feature loads App-V packages in the client cache in the background.

The default configuration is as follows: Automatic loading of App-V packages is triggered when the user logs in and when launching an application. When triggered the App-V client loads the applications that have been used previously by the user. This is the configuration made by the client installer as shown in the next screenshot:

Associated registry keys

The following two registry keys control when the App-V client performs the automatic loading and what packages will be loaded. The registry values are located under:

On a x64 OS:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\SoftGrid\4.5\Client\Configuration

On a x32 OS:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SoftGrid\4.5\Client\Configuration 

AutoLoadTriggers: Specifies WHEN to perform the automatic loading of the packages. If you want the auto loading to be triggered at multiple events, the value data of each event for AutoLoadTarget need to be added up as shown in the table.

NOTE: If auto loading should not happen at all, use the AutoLoadTarget value to 0 disable it.

AutoLoadTarget: Specifies WHAT applications to load when the auto load feature is triggered.

A registry export and registry screen shot of the default configuration for the auto load values is shown next (remove \Wow6432Node for x32 clients):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\SoftGrid\4.5\Client\Configuration]

"AutoLoadTarget"=dword:00000001

"AutoLoadTriggers"=dword:00000005

Unattended installations

If you want to disable automatic loading of App-V packages you can specify the following MSI parameter with the App-V client installer:

AUTOLOADTARGET=\"NONE\"

Supported values are:

- NONE: No autoloading at all. For example in read-only cache scenarios.

- ALL: Autoload all App-V packages available to the user.

- PREVUSED: Only automatically load previously used App-V packages.

The MSI parameter works in combination with the Setup.exe /s /v"MSI parameters" command line.

Take a look at Aaron's App-V FAQ #12 to learn more about unattended installation of the App-V client.

• When sequencing add a shortcut to the required program, for example cmd.exe or regedit.exe;
• Edit the OSD file to add a prelaunch script;
• Access the necessary tools from a menu or dialog box from the packaged application if possible.

All of these are quite cumbersome compared the a specific parameter added to the App-V Client 4.x to replace the program specified in the FILENAME= tag inside the cached OSD file.

Sfttray.exe supports the /exe parameter, which launches the program or file that follows the parameter inside virtual environment.

For example:

sfttray /exe cmd.exe "TweetDeck 0.36.2"

The above example start a DOS prompt inside the virtual environment of the TweetDeck application. The versioning information is optional when you only have one version with this name, but the name of the application needs to be exact, including the use of capitals and spaces. You can use the following command to get the correct info:

sftmime query obj:app /short

Back to sfttray: The /exe parameter cannot be used with arguments directly. Instead optional arguments can be passed at the end of the sfttray command line. The parameters at the end of the sfttray command line replace the value of the PARAMETER= tag inside the cache OSD.

For example:

sfttray /exe cmd.exe "TweetDeck" /k PATH

The /k PATH parameters are passed to cmd.exe when it is started inside the virtual environment. The command cmd.exe /k PATH shows the content of the PATH environment variable inside the App-V package.

Another example would be:

sfttray /exe "iexplore" "TweetDeck" http://www.appvirtguru.com

The command line above starts Internet Explorer inside the package and opens the website http://www.appvirtguru.com mentioned as the parameter. This is a practical way of testing plugins and run times.

It is advisable to use absolute paths to the files used for /exe.

More options to start troubleshooting tools and App-V information in general at Aaron Parkers blog: http://blog.stealthpuppy.com/virtualisation/app-v-faq-27-how-do-i-get-an-application-into-the-app-v-bubble-for-troubleshooting/

This post isn't about any of the new features in the 4.6 SP1 release of App-V, MED-V or the MDOP 2011 suite in its whole. Instead it's a summary of all of today blog posts and other sources of information on the subject. So grab yourself a Cup o' Joe and start reading!

The official availability of MDOP 2011(which includes App-V 4.6 SP1, MED-V 2.0 and more) was announced in the Microsoft Desktop Virtualization Customer Roundtable. You can should be able to view the recorded webcast here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/solutions/virtualization/dvroundtable2011.aspx

The webcast kicked off all of the following activity:

At the official Microsoft websites

- The Windows Team blog:

Microsoft leads industry discussion on the state of Desktop Virtualization:

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/business/archive/2011/03/10/microsoft-leads-industry-discussion-on-the-state-of-desktop-virtualization.aspx  

- The official MDOP blog:

App-V 4.6 SP1 and MED-V 2.0 are available as part of MDOP 2011!:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/mdop/archive/2011/03/09/app-v-4-6-sp1-and-med-v-2-0-are-available-as-part-of-mdop-2011.aspx

- The official App-V blog:

MDOP 2011, including App-V 4.6 SP1, is now available!: http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/archive/2011/03/10/mdop-2011-including-app-v-4-6-sp1-is-now-available.aspx

New KB: Guide to sequencing .NET 4.0 with App-V 4.6 SP1:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/appv/archive/2011/03/10/new-kb-guide-to-sequencing-net-4-0-with-app-v-4-6-sp1.aspx

Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals

Read what the MVP's on App-V have to say:

- Kevin Kaminski

Adobe Reader X Package Accelerator:

http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/kkaminski/archive/2011/03/07/adobe-reader-x-package-accelerator.aspx

How the App-V 4.6 SP1 Sequencer Makes Packaging Easier, Faster and More Predictable:

http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/kkaminski/archive/2011/03/07/how-the-app-v-4-6-sp1-sequencer-makes-packaging-easier-faster-and-more-predictable.aspx

- Aaron Parker

How the App-V 4.6 Service Pack 1 Sequencer helps you implement best practices:

http://blog.stealthpuppy.com/virtualisation/appv-46-sp1-sequencer-helps-you-implement-best-practices/

- Kalle Saunamäki

From Recipes to Package Accelerators - creating your own model packages: http://www.virtualisointi.fi/en/archives/246

- Tim Mangan

The New App-V Package Accelerator: http://www.tmurgent.com/TmBlog/?p=326

- Ment van der Plas

Diagnostics in the App-V 4.6 SP1 Sequencer: http://www.softgridblog.com/?p=171

- Ruben Spruijt got a nice podium on the Springboard Windows Teamblog:

Agility and compatibility with Microsoft App-V and MED-V: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2011/03/10/agility-and-compatibility-with-microsoft-app-v-and-med-v.aspx

- Alaa Ajweh

His blog post doesn't seem to be online yet. But should be here: http://ajweh.com/blog

- Myself

Microsoft App-V for Remote Desktop Services 4.6 SP1 on AppVirtGuru.com: http://www.appvirtguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4050

Others

Microsoft delivers new versions of client-side virtualization tools at ZDNET.com by Mary Jo Foley:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-delivers-new-versions-of-client-side-virtualization-tools/8896

And as the finishing touch, if you want to get hands on experience yourself after reading all that information:

- The App-V 4.6 SP1 Trial Guide: http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/7/8/F784A197-73BE-48FF-83DA-4102C05A6D44/App-V/App-V%204.6%20SP1%20Trial%20Guide.docx

-The App-V 4.6 SP1 sequencing guide: http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/7/8/F784A197-73BE-48FF-83DA-4102C05A6D44/App-V/App-V%204.6%20Service%20Pack%201%20Sequencing%20Guide.docx

- App-V Package Accelerators downloads available now:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=9471c2ae-cb03-42c4-9976-72f24937a800

The App-V product downloads are available depending on your Microsoft licensing program:

Microsoft Volume Licensing: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166331

MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx  

And TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx 

+++++

These links are added after this post went live:

Microsoft incrementally upgrades its virtual desktop line by Bridget Botelho: http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/news/2240033285/Microsoft-incrementally-upgrades-its-virtual-desktop-line 

Microsoft Releases App-V 4.6 SP1 and MED-V 2.0 by Kurt Mackie: http://redmondmag.com/articles/2011/03/10/microsoft-releases-mdop-2011.aspx  

Here is how you enable shortcuts and file type associations for Spoon.net applications

For this to work you need to have launched the application from the Spoon.net website first. This means you have to install the Spoon plugin, create an account and launch the application of your choice. It seems you need to launch the app more then once. This is to get all the application's data on your system, since Spoon's virtualization technology doesn't require all of the application data to start an application. This to provide a good end-user experience. After you launched the application from the website, do a search in the %localappdata%\Spoon to check if you have the application's Spoon Virtual Machine (.SVM) file:

Keep the search window open.

Open a new Explorer window and browse to %localappdata%\Spoon\Cache\Xreg\SomeVersion#

Here you find the Xreg.exe tool which handles local registration of shortcuts and file types.

With the two Explorer windows open, now drag the applications .SVM file on top of the Xreg executable. 

Associated shortcuts and file types are now registered on your system. The application now also works offline!

To remove the shortcuts and file type assocications use: Xregpath\Xreg /unregister AppPath\App.svm

Running your own Spoon Server

If you were running the business product called Spoon Server yourself, then you have the possibility to control the registration of shortcut and FTAs centrally. Something maybe Spoon.net could allow as an option from there site also.

You can play with Spoon Server and the Studio, which creates the Spoon virtual applications, for 30 days with the Trial version downloadable here: http://spoon.net/Server

UPDATE 13.03.2011

Today I received an email from the CEO of Spoon.NET. They launched the public beta of Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon is a paid subscription which allows for an extended feature set to the default Spoon.net functionality.

Silver Spoon allows for:

Sandbox synchronization: Sync your application settings to the cloud (You can use 100MB for free, when you don't have Silver Spoon)

Folder synchronization: Store your documents in the cloud. This allows synchronization between all your Spoon enabled desktops.

Application synchronization: Synchronize your own applications between your desktops. This is a very cool feature deserving its own blogpost.

Desktop integration: The original reason of my blog post was to show how to enable desktop integration from Spoon.net. This is not longer necessary any more with Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon enables this feature easily from the Spoon management console per application.

Silver Spoon comes with 50GB of storage space and costs $12 a month.

Subscribing to Silver Spoon is done though the Spoon management console/client which resides in your system tray.

Read the Silver Spoon blog post at: http://blogs.spoon.net/post/11-03-12/Silver_Spoon_is_now_in_public_beta.aspx 

The video is available on the Norwegian Microsoft TechNet Edge website here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/nb-no/edge/Video/ff949887

The corresponding post containing all the necessary steps is available at AppVirtGuru.com here:

http://www.appvirtguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3571&start=0

Initial links about what is covered in the exam:

The official Microsoft page for exam 70-669. General exam information.

The official Microsoft Course which helps prepare for the exam. I just reviewed the course details.

TechExams website: A ton of links to all of the technology covered in the 70-669 exam. Good work from forum member Hyper-Me there.

Topic on the Microsoft Learning Forums:  Specifically the links to the Free E-book  and the MED-V videos are very useful. In case of the E-Book the Desktop Virtualization technologies are part of a good preparation for the exam as are the Hyper-V and RDS/VDI bits.

Technology specific:

Next is an overview of the links and information I used. I build, configured and tested almost all the technology in my test lab. A Microsoft TechNet Plus subscription comes in handy!

App-V

Because of my background with App-V, I didn't pay any attention to this during preparation for 70-669. But here are some great resources:

TechNet Virtual Labs: System Center under Application Virtualization: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/bb539977

Search Virtual Labs for App-V on Microsoft Events website: https://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/SearchDisplay.aspx?culture=en-us#culture=en-us;kwdAny=app-v;eventType=4;searchcontrol=yes;s=1

AppVirtGuru: Specifically this post contains a ton of useful links to official and unofficial documentation on App-V: http://www.appvirtguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3471

Infrastructure Planning and Design: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee354207.aspx

App-V and AppLocker Video: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee532036.aspx

MED-V, Virtual PC and XP Mode

The official MED-V website: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/mdop/med-v.aspx

MED-V videos from the link mentioned in the beginning of this post: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1f0d3e54-25d1-4ec1-a844-3b508bd63ffa

I build and tested a MED-V environment using the Med-V Trial guide found on the official website: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/3/8/43841F85-472D-446C-8B7E-1E41C8C59F8F/MED-V%20TrialGuide.pdf

Infrastructure Planning and Design for MED-V: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff433591.aspx

Additional MED-V info on TechNet:

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization Planning, Deployment, and Operations Guide: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff433567.aspx

Windows 7 XP Mode:

The Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions (Second Edition) E-Book contains very good information on XP Mode: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2010/02/16/free-ebook-understanding-microsoft-virtualization-r2-solutions.aspx

Regarding Virtual PC and Virtual PC 2007, and their differences, this is covered in the free E-Book. The MED-V and XP Mode paragraphs provide more information on VPC.

Also I found the following link: Deploying Windows XP Mode

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=9f142a1a-a7b7-4d0b-bd56-d9627f39c14f&displaylang=en

RDS, RemoteApp and VDI

I mainly used the TechNet Library to prepare for the RDS, RemoteApp and VDI parts of the exam:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd647502(WS.10).aspx

I read the info from, and build my test lab as described in,  the Getting Started section. I skipped the RemoteFX part since that wasn't available yet.

Volume Activation(KMS)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff719787.aspx

User State Virtualization

Most of you will already know what this is about:

Roaming Profiles, Folder Redirection and Offline files. These are quite commonly used, here are some links:

Microsoft User State Virtualization Overview: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ff629664

Folder Redirection Overview: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732275.aspx

System Center Virtual Machine Manager Self Service Portal

Read Installation and Configuration on Microsoft TechNet: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb740747.aspx

In all cases, get hands on experience if you don't have that already.

The provided information in this post does not guarantee passing Microsoft exam 70-669, but I did!

Good luck!

Owner Aaron Parker is a Microsoft MVP for App-V, moderator for the App-V forum on Microsoft TechNet and a very frequent poster on AppVirtGuru.com, THE forum for Microsoft App-V, VMware ThinApp, Citrix Streaming and other application virtualization solutions.

You can also find Aaron on Twitter.

Some time ago, Aaron asked me if I wanted to write a guest post for the App-V FAQ series that he is maintaining at his website: Stealthpuppy.com

You can find my post as FAQ #32: What are Provider Policies?

Congratulations 2011 Microsoft MVP!

That's right! Microsoft, based on community efforts, awarded me the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award on App-V. I'm very excited because the MVP program provides a lot of benefits. Of which, of course, the close contacts with the Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) product group and other MVPs is very important to me. The MVP community itself is very active and Microsoft is provides us with many tools and tons of information. I can only say:

• Thank you community for the nomination;
• And thank you Microsoft for giving me the award!

You can find the profiles of me and my colleague MVPs on App-V here:

Microsoft MVP awardees on Application Virtualization (App-V)