Microsoft syncs app settings across multiple PCs

 

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By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 4 Apr 2012 at 18:00

Microsoft has unveiled a new virtualisation tool, allowing businesses customers to keep the same settings for their apps across a myriad of devices.

User Experience Virtualisation (UE-V) will let IT departments push out apps and OSes to multiple devices, such as a user's home and work PCs, while maintaining the same configurations and settings.

"Apps delivered virtually to them at home give them the same familiar experience, so they can be more productive," said virtualisation product director Karri Alexion-Tiernan.

If a user loses a laptop, for example, the UE-V system means apps can be supplied with the exact same settings as before, reducing configuration time.

"By implementing UE-V, IT departments can enable a consistent experience for users who have multiple devices provided by their company or choose to bring their personal PC or tablet to work," she added. "Now users can change their device and keep their experience without reconfiguring applications each time they login to Windows 7 or Windows 8."

The system works with applications as well as hosted virtual desktops, Microsoft added.

Microsoft also unveiled the beta of the next version of App-V, its application virtualisation system. The update will mean virtual apps will work more like apps running locally, and support Windows 8.

The betas for UE-V and App-V 5.0 are both available for download today. Both will ship as part of Microsoft's Desktop Optimisation Pack.