Application virtualization

Application virtualization is a software technology that encapsulates computer programs from the underlying operating system on which they are executed.

The application behaves at runtime like it is directly interfacing with the original operating system and all the resources managed by it, but can be isolated or sandboxed to varying degrees.

Application virtualization reduces system integration and administration costs by maintaining a common software baseline across multiple diverse computers in an organization.

[6] Anti-virus programs and applications that require heavy OS integration, such as WindowBlinds or StyleXP are difficult to virtualize.

[9] Functional discrepancies within the multicompatibility model are an additional limitation, where utility-driven access points are shared within a public network.