Microsoft adds legacy app support to Optimization Pack refresh
Microsoft is making available for download as of April 1 the final version of its desktop-virtualization-management product that is designed to help Vista users run legacy Windows 2000 and Windows XP apps.
The spring 2009 refresh of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) is out as of today, and is sporting one new addition -- Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V). MED-V is meant to help users manage applications running via Virtual PC on Vista, and is based on the Kidaro technology Microsoft acquired in 2008.
(This first release of MED-V supports Vista only; Microsoft is working on a Windows 7 release of this technology, but isn't ready to commit to a delivery date.
MDOP is a collection of utilities and technologies that Microsoft makes available to its Software Assurance licensees only. In addition to MED-V, other tools in the MDOP 2009 refresh include Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V), Asset Inventory Service, Advanced Group Policy Management, Dianostics and Recovery Toolset and System Center Desktop Error Monitoring. Microsoft updated a couple of these tools with the new release, specifically App-V (to include the Cumulative Update 1 bits that work with Windows 7) and Asset Inventory Services (the 1.5 release).
This is the first of Microsoft's two planned MDOP releases this year. At latest count, Microsoft has 14.4 million users signed up for MDOP.
MDOP customers can download the first 2009 MDOP release from the Microsoft Volume Licensing site.