VMware ThinApp facts for kids
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| Original author(s) | Jitit Inc. |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | VMware |
| Stable release |
2212 / January 12, 2023
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| Operating system | Windows Vista and later Windows Server 2008 and later (previously Windows XP and Windows Server 2003) |
| Size | 18 MB |
| Type | Application virtualization Portable application creator |
| License | Shareware |
VMware ThinApp is a special computer program that helps you run other programs without actually installing them on your computer. Think of it like putting an app inside a self-contained bubble. This bubble lets the app work anywhere, even from a USB stick! It's made by a company called VMware.
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What is ThinApp?
ThinApp is a tool that creates "portable applications." This means a program can run on different computers without needing to be fully installed each time. It's like having a game that you can just copy and play on any computer, without going through a setup process. VMware says it works for most programs, about 90-95% of them!
How ThinApp Started
ThinApp was first created by a company called Jitit Inc. Then, on January 15, 2008, a bigger company called VMware bought it. For a while, VMware called it VMware Project North Star while they were still working on it. On June 10, 2008, they announced its final name would be VMware ThinApp. At first, only big companies could try it, but later, VMware offered a free trial version for everyone.
How ThinApp Works
ThinApp uses something called "application virtualization." This is a fancy way of saying it creates a special, fake environment for an app. The app thinks it's fully installed on the computer, but it's actually running in its own isolated space.
This means:
- You don't need to install the app in the usual way.
- It doesn't change your computer's main settings or files.
- You can run apps from a USB stick or a network drive.
- You don't even need special Administrator rights to run these apps.
ThinApp can turn regular installer files (like .msi files) into single .EXE files. These .EXE files contain everything the program needs to run. It can also look at your computer before and after you install a program, and then create a portable version based on those changes. Unlike simple compressed files, ThinApp doesn't unpack files onto your computer or change your system settings to run programs.
Newer versions of ThinApp (after version 5.2.3) no longer work on very old Windows systems like Windows XP or Windows Server 2003.
Different Versions of ThinApp
There are different versions of ThinApp. The simplest one is "VMware ThinApp Starter Edition." You can sometimes get this for free if you buy another VMware product called VMware Workstation.
The more advanced version is "VMware ThinApp Enterprise Edition." This one has extra features like:
- AppSync updating: This helps keep the portable apps updated easily.
- Active Directory integration: This allows it to work smoothly with large computer networks.
- It lets many people use the tools to create and run portable apps.
Related Topics
- Microsoft App-V
- Turbo (software)
- Software appliance
- Windows To Go
- Sandboxie
- Portable application creators
