How to integrate and use installed applications with virtualized applications

  • 7011714
  • 25-Jan-2013
  • 17-Mar-2013

Environment

Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization 10

Situation

Virtual applications can run as standalone executables with no shell integration or virtual applications can be integrated with Window’s shell using the “Add to Start Menu” feature from the ZAV desktop client/console application. Integration includes creating shortcuts under the Start Menu and on the Desktop, as well as file associations and protocol associations. Once a virtual application has been integrated into the shell, it will work seamlessly with installed applications.

Resolution

Requirements for configuring virtual applications to work with installed applications:
  • ZAV Server must have authentication set to require user login. This enables the “Add to Start Menu” feature from the ZAV desktop client/console application.
  • Application needs to be registered to the 'Start Menu' from the ZAV desktop client/console application.
An example of integration between an installed application and a virtual application would be clicking a hyperlink in a Microsoft Word document where Word is installed, but the browser that opens is virtual Firefox. This is the example that is outlined in this document.

1. Add virtual Firefox to Start menu (See KB 7011704). Confirm desktop shortcuts and file associations have been setup.

  

2. Run Microsoft Word and test integration.
  • Create a new Word document and put a hyperlink in the document. Save it.
  • Right click on the hyperlink and click 'Open hyperlink' option.


Instead of opening in Internet Explorer, the web page will be opened using Firefox.