Is there an Altiris SVS alternative for Windows 7?

This program lets you create layers, delete layers, import layers. Very useful virtualization program.
http://download.cnet.com/Software-Virtualization-Solution-SVS/3000-2651_4-10516806.html

I am upgrading to Win 7 and have been using XP. I use Altiris SVS on Windows XP, but it doesn't work on Win 7.

Does anyone know an alternative for Windows 7?

Thank you in advance!

 

Hi Connect4

Altiris was taken over by Symantec some time ago.The product is now called Symantec Workspace
Virtualization,you'll be pleased to hear that it works fine with Win7 (32 and 64bit).

You can download it from this link,click on Trialware,it's free for home users.

http://www.symantec.com/workspace-virtualization

 

Does that mean the trial period is unending for home users?

 

That's correct yes.
It comes complete with a universal serial key and doesn't expire.It's always been free for home users.

It's actually quite a task finding the download link for this software,I had to trawl through a fair few pages to get to it.
It's worth the effort though,it's a fantastic piece of software.

 

Thanks andyman. Is it necessary to fill-out all of those registration forms?

 

Yes you do need to fill in the questionnaire but it's a one-time thing;for updates you need only log in with your e-mail/password.

 

Andyman,

Could you post some experiences and screenprints. SVS was never intended as a security program, but it had some fan's using it for the ease of configuration use (remove installed programs easily).

Why and how are you using it?

 

Hey thanks Andyman, the program seems to work good so far on my VM

 

Kees,

I don't have much experience with this new version, but for the original Altiris SVS on XP, I don't rely on it as a security feature. (I only install layers from trustworthy programs). I still mostly rely on LUA/SRP/Hardening/etc for security. I use it mostly for convenience and to minimize local installs on my OS (for maximum stability). It seems like the more I locally install programs, the more problems I run into.

For example- I have WinRAR on 24/7. However, I only active WinZip from time to time so I will activate it when needed. Same with Paragon Home 2012.

 

Hmmm...VERY impressive software. You don't usually find this kind of niche software, of this quality, for free. Thanks for the tip!

 

In the past I have experimented with SVS in XP using a admin and power user setup with different layers for office, web, e-mail and media player.

Regards Kees.

 

Kees1958

I've not ignored your query,just been very hectic here.I'll detail my usage scenarios asap.

Thanks,Andy.

 

Take your time, please

 

I am fairly familiar with this program and as mentioned above it is not a security product but very good in adding and removing virtualized applications easily. The below screenshot should give a approx idea what the program does.

 

Anyone care to explain (in a few words) how SWV works? Is it like having an application installed inside a sandbox, without SB's security features?

TIA

 

Can you say how you use it? It's not clear what purpose this serves.

 

Thx, very much

Altris used to offer virtualisation without containment. It did not stop process/memory based intrusions, but it seperates files/registry/settings changes from the real system. Symantec added some isolation options like: installing comodo dragon browser with these options (make sure to add the flash and the pdf dll into the comodo dragon directory).

- enabling this layer at startup
- keep file changes in this layer
- hide this layer from other layers
- hide other layers from this layer

Does it uses a lot of CPU?

 

Basically this program does a folder redirection, registry virtualization. It captures application installation as a layer. I use it with MS office as a layer which will be completely on demand. In other words, all its registry keys, services and its drivers (if any) will only be active if the layer is active.

Sorry for the delay. I havent noticed any performance issue with this. This can actually save lot of system resources when Adobe and Microsoft office applications are virtualized and used ondemand.

it uses kernel filter driver for folder redirection and may cause conflict with Security products.

 

Thank you both for the information.

 

@Connect4:

I've started looking into using Altiris / Symantec SWV myself, mostly just to cut down on clutter on my system. As I was reading through this thread, I noticed a couple things that you said that surprised me.

First, you mentioned that you have put Paragon Home in a layer. I was under the impression that Altiris/SWV wouldn't work with applications that installed low-level drivers. I believe Paragon uses a driver to do the partitioning work, and am wondering if besides "packaging" the program, have you actually run it from the layer? Does it work with no problems? Paragon programs are large, I have a few, and would love to get them out of my active partition.

The other thing that surprised me a little was that you mentioned that you ran SWV in a virtual machine, and it ran fine. I would have thought that adding virtualization on top of virtualization that way might have been a bit much for the either the virtual machine or SWV to handle. Tho the three most popular VMs are supposed to be quite similar, I'm only familiar with VirtualBox. Which VM did you test SWV on??

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Robert.....

PS. I was looking thru some notes today and came across something I had jotted down a while ago and forgotten about (probably because it's not a free program). It's another application virtualization program, written by the people who initially developed Thinstall, as far as I can tell. It's called Evalaze, in case you want to take a look at it. Looks like a good program also...

 

Right! not recommended. Even if it works you can expect a bsod. I would rather not risk virtualizing a security/backup program.