How to create a package accelerator

Applies to:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11

App-V Package Accelerators automatically generate new virtual application packages.

Note

You can use Windows PowerShell to create a package accelerator. For more information, see How to create a package accelerator by using Windows PowerShell.

Use the following procedure to create a package accelerator.

Important

  • Because package accelerators can contain password and user-specific information, you should save package accelerators and the associated installation media in a secure location, and you should also digitally sign the package accelerator after creating it so that you can verify the publisher when applying the App-V Package Accelerator.
  • Before you begin creating a package accelerator, do the following:
    • Copy the virtual application package that you will use to create the package accelerator locally to the computer running the sequencer.
    • Copy all required installation files associated with the virtual application package to the computer running the sequencer.
  • The App-V Sequencer does not grant any license rights to the software application you are using to create the package accelerator. You must abide by all end user license terms for the application you are using. It is your responsibility to make sure the software application’s license terms allow you to create a package accelerator with the App-V sequencer.

Create a package accelerator

  1. To start the App-V sequencer on the computer running the sequencer, select Start > All Programs > Microsoft Application Virtualization > Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer.

  2. To start the App-V Create Package Accelerator wizard, in the App-V sequencer console, select Tools > Create Accelerator.

  3. On the Select Package page, select Browse to specify an existing virtual application package to use to create the package accelerator, then locate the existing virtual application package (it will appear as an .appv file).

    Tip

    Copy the files associated with the virtual application package you plan to use locally to the computer running the Sequencer.

    Select Next.

  4. Go to the Installation Files page and select Browse, then select the directory that contains the installation files to specify the folder containing the original virtual package's installation files.

    Tip

    Copy the folder that contains the required installation files to the computer running the Sequencer.

  5. If the application is already installed on the computer running the sequencer, then select Files installed on local system to specify the installation file. To use this option, the application must already be installed in the default installation location.

  6. On the Gathering Information page, review the files that you couldn't find in the location specified by the Installation Files page. If the files displayed aren't required, select Remove these files, then select Next. If the files are required, select Previous and copy the required files to the directory specified on the Installation Files page.

    Note

    You must either remove the unrequired files or select Previous and locate the required files to advance to the next page of this wizard.

  7. On the Select Files page, carefully review the detected files. Clear any file the package accelerator doesn't need to run successfully and select only the files that the application requires. When you're done, select Next.

  8. Confirm that the Verify Applications page displays all installation files required to build the package. The package accelerator requires all installation files displayed in the Applications pane in order to create the package.

    If you need to add more Installer files, select Add. To remove unnecessary installation files, select the Installer file, then select Delete. To edit the properties associated with an installer, select Edit. The package accelerator requires the installation files specified in this step to create a new virtual application package. After you've confirmed the information displayed, select Next.

  9. On the Select Guidance page, select Browse to specify the file that will provide the package accelerator with application instructions. For example, this file can contain information about how the computer running the Sequencer should be configured, application prerequisite information for target computers, and general notes. You should provide all required information for successful package accelerator application. The file you select must be in rich text (.rtf) or text file (.txt) format. After specifying the file, select Next.

  10. On the Create Package Accelerator page, select Browse and select the directory where you want to save the package accelerator.

  11. On the Completion page, select Close.

    Important

    You should always digitally sign the package accelerator to ensure that it is secure and can be verified by a publisher during application.