Application virtualization is the idea that a particular app or piece of software should be in no way dependent on an operating system resting just underneath it
Most application virtualization programs work in more or less the same way. A snapshot of a bare-bone OS installation is being taken, then you install the application and a second snapshot of the OS is being taken.
The two packages are compared and the difference is transformed into a self-contained executable.
Benefits:
- Reduces system integration and administration costs by maintaining a common baseline across multiple and diverse computers in an organization
- Old applications can be run on newer hardware and/or operating systems
- Applications can deployed easier and faster.
- Software can be accessed over the network or over the internet.