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Chapter 3 Deploying Applications
Sample Isolation Mode Configuration Depending on Deployment
Context
Isolation modes control the read and write access for specific system directories and system registry subkeys.
You can adjust isolation modes to resolve the problems in Table 3-3.
View of Isolation Mode Effect on the Windows Registry
Figure 3-3 shows a section of the Windows registry for a computer that has older Microsoft Office applications
installed. Microsoft Office 2003 creates the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0
registry subtree.
Figure 3-3. Windows Registry as Seen by Windows Regedit
When ThinApp runs a captured version of Microsoft Visio 2007, ThinApp sets the
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Office registry subtree to full isolation. This setting prevents
Microsoft Visio 2007 from failing because of registry settings that might preexist on the host computer at the
same location.
Table 3-3. Sample Problems and Solutions That Use Isolation Modes
Problem Solution
An application fails to run because
previous or future versions exist
simultaneously or fail to uninstall
properly.
Use the Full isolation mode.
ThinApp hides host computer files and registry keys from the application
when the host computer files are located in the same directories and
subkeys that the application installer creates.
For directories and subkeys that have Full isolation, the applications only
detect virtual files and subkeys. Any system values that exist in the same
location are invisible to the application.
An application fails because users did not
design or test it for a multiuser
environment. The application fails to
modify files and keys without affecting
other users.
Use the WriteCopy isolation mode.
ThinApp makes copies of registry keys and files that the application writes
and performs all the modifications in a user-specific sandbox.
For directories and subkeys that have WriteCopy isolation, the application
recognizes the host computer files and virtual files. All write operations
convert host computer files into virtual files in the sandbox.
An application fails because it has write
permission to global locations and is not
designed for a locked-down desktop
environment found in a corporate setting
or on Windows Vista.
Use the WriteCopy isolation mode.
ThinApp makes copies of registry keys and files that the application writes
and performs all the modifications in a user-specific sandbox.
For directories and subkeys that have WriteCopy isolation, the application
recognizes the host computer files and virtual files. All write operations
convert host computer files into virtual files in the sandbox.
ODBC
Office
10.0
11.0
8.0
9.0
Common
Delivery
Live Meeting
Outlook
PowerPoint
Visio