Support for .NET in Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 (App-V) and 4.5 Cumulative Update 1 (App-V 4.5 CU1)

Background

Microsoft has made several architectural changes in the implementation of Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) 4.5 to ensure that the product is aligned with our roadmap for future innovation. One such change entailed moving the API intercepts from kernel mode into user mode. This change had a side-effect of changing the App-V compatibility with the .NET Framework from previous versions of App-V.

App-V 4.5 continues to be fully compatible with .NET applications. The change in compatibility only manifests itself with the .NET Framework.

Subsequently, Microsoft has implemented a file system minifilter driver to make it possible to sequence and deploy applications that include the .NET Framework on Windows XP (SP2 and later). The App-V 4.5 CU1 client must be deployed to take advantage of this new functionality.

This article provides specific guidance for sequencing and using .NET applications with App-V 4.5 and App-V 4.5 CU1.

Guidance for sequencing .NET applications with the 4.5 sequencer

Scenario #1: Sequencing applications to be deployed to Windows Vista RTM clients

• A version of .NET that is greater than or equal to the applications’ .NET requirement must be locally installed on the sequencing station

  • Example: Windows Vista RTM includes .NET 3.0. If the application that is being sequenced requires a version of .NET that is newer than 3.0 you must install the newer version of .NET on the sequencing workstation before you proceed to sequence the application.

Scenario #2: Sequencing applications to be deployed to Windows Vista SP1 clients

• .NET 3.5 RTM, not .NET 3.5 SP1, can be sequenced successfully on a fully patched Windows Vista SP1 system, no additional installation of .NET is required on the sequencing workstation

Scenario #3: Sequencing applications to be deployed to Windows XP clients

• Sequencing applications that require the .NET Framework 3.5 (or earlier versions) is fully supported on Windows XP (SP2 and later) with App-V 4.5 CU1. For applications that require .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, .NET must be locally installed on the sequencing workstation prior to sequencing the application

Guidance for using .NET with virtual applications sequenced in App-V 4.5

Using and deploying applications that include the .NET Framework 3.5 (or earlier versions) is fully supported on Windows XP (SP2 and later) with App-V 4.5 CU1.

For all other platforms, in order to use an application that has a dependency on any version of .NET, it is required that .NET is installed locally on the client.

Scenario #1: A single virtualized application on a client with a .NET dependency

• .NET must be locally installed on that client
• The locally installed .NET version must be greater than or equal to the application’s .NET requirement

Scenario #2: Several virtualized applications on a client with a .NET dependency

• .NET must be locally installed on that client
• The locally installed .NET version must be greater than or equal to the greatest version .NET dependency of all the applications
  • Example: If two packages are to be deployed, one with a .NET 2.0 dependency and the other with a .NET 3.0 dependency, in order for both to function correctly, .NET 3.0 must be locally installed.

Exception: If the application has a dependency on .NET 3.5 RTM and it will be deployed to a Vista SP1 system, a local installation of .NET 3.5 on the target system is not required. This exception does not apply to .NET 3.5 SP1.

Support for legacy packages (pre App-V 4.5) that have .NET sequenced inside the package

Packages that were sequenced with APP-V 4.2 or lower that include .NET and will be deployed to 4.5 clients follow the same guidelines as App-V 4.5 sequenced applications:

• Using and deploying applications that include the .NET Framework 3.5 (or earlier versions) is fully supported on Windows XP (SP2 and later) with App-V 4.5 CU1.
• For all other platforms, the client OS must have .NET locally installed. The installed version must be greater than or equal to the application’s .NET dependency
• Windows Vista RTM includes .NET 3.0 by default, no additional .NET installation is required unless the application requires .NET 3.5 RTM or SP1
• Windows Vista SP1 (fully-patched) includes .NET 3.0 by default, no additional .NET installation is required unless the application requires .NET 3.5 RTM or SP1

Summary

This table summarizes the requirements for .NET support in App-V 4.5 CU1.