Microsoft delivers new versions of client-side virtualization tools
Microsoft is making available to its volume-license customers with Software Assurance new releases of a number of virtualization tools as of March 10.
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) 2.0, for one, is available to customers today, according to company officials. The MED-V 2.0 product is desktop virtualization software based on technology Microsoft bought from Kidaro in 2008. MED-V is one of a number of migration tools that Microsoft offers exclusively to Microsoft Software Assurance volume-license customers as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP).
Microsoft has been touting MED-V as a Windows 7 migration tool that allows users to “retain access to legacy lines of business applications that require Windows XP.”
Microsoft has been testing MED-V 2.0 since last summer. Company officials have said there would be a number of new features and updates in the MED-V2.0 release, including:
- No dedicated infrastructure required
- Streamlined sign-on to MED-V workspaces
- More options for Internet Explorer redirection
- USB device sharing
- My Documents, Desktop and network printer redirection
MED-V 2.0 isn't the only new virtualization-focused release from Microsoft released today. Company officials also said that App-V 4.6 Service Pack (SP) 1 is available, as well. Both MED-V 2.0 and App-V 4.6 are part of the MDOP 2011 release.
Microsoft also delivered is planning to deliver the first public beta Community Technology Preview of Windows Thin PC (WinTPC), the thin-client Windows 7 product that is the successor to the Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (WinFLP) product before the end of March. (False alarm: It's not out yet. Second false alarm: Microsoft has decided this will be a CTP test build and not a "beta.")
WinTPC will be available to Microsoft Software Assurance customers as part of their licenses. Customers who don’t have Software Assurance also can buy a Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) license for each device to get access to WinTPC, officials said this week.