Capturing Multiple Program Installations into a Single Layer

Support Pro Jesse Foster shares some incredibly useful layer creation tips in this article. Jesse documents five ways to capture multiple programs into a single Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) layer. It's a keeper.

There are many ways to capture multiple programs into a single Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) layer. The following may not be a complete list of every method possible but hopefully will provide enough information to create the multiple program layers you are looking for.

This article documents the following five methods:

• Global Capture option
• Single Program Capture option using cmd.exe
• Single Program Capture option using a batch file
• Single Program Capture option using a command file
• Update Existing Layer

The steps outlined assume a basic working knowledge of the Software Virtualization Solution Admin console and virtual software layer creation.

Global Capture option

For many, the most obvious method is to perform a Global capture. The downside to a Global capture is that all changes made in the registry and file system while in capture mode are captured to the layer, not just the files and registry settings pertaining to the program(s) you want to capture.

Procedure

In Software Virtualization Solution Admin:

1. Click File > Create New Layer.
2. Select Install application.
3. Click Next.
4. Type in a name for the layer.
5. Click Next.
6. Select Global capture.
7. Click Next.
8. Click Finish.

Capture mode will start and any file or registry changes will be captured to the layer.

9. Run the installers for each of the programs you want to install.
10. After all the program installations are complete, double-click the animated lightning icon in the system tray to exit capture mode.

Single Program Capture option using cmd.exe

By using cmd.exe (a.k.a. DOS command prompt) you can manually launch multiple installers one at a time and still benefit from the "clean" layer created using the SVS Single Program capture option.

Procedure
In Software Virtualization Solution Admin:

1. Click File > Create New Layer.
2. Select Install application.
3. Click Next.
4. Type in a name for the layer.
5. Click Next.
6. Select Single program capture.
7. Under Program name type in (or browse to) the path for cmd.exe (for example C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe).
8. Click Next.
9. Click Finish.

Capture mode will start and a command window will open. Anything done from this command window will be captured in to the layer.

10. Start your installers from the command window and the programs will be captured to the layer.

Capture mode will end only when the command window and any child processes launched from this window or from your installers have exited. If capture mode does not end after the installation programs have completed and the command window is closed, check for and end any child process the program installers launched. For example, some installers execute a "quick launch" program and place an icon in the system tray.

Single Program Capture option using a batch file

By using a batch file you can capture multiple programs into a single layer using Single Program Capture without having to launch each installer manually from the command line.

Procedure

1. Create a batch (.bat) file containing the command lines for launching each of the programs you want to capture to a single layer.

In Software Virtualization Solution Admin:

2. Click File > Create New Layer.
3. Select Install application.
4. Click Next.
5. Type in a name for the layer.
6. Click Next.
7. Select Single program capture.
8. Under Program name type in the path for your batch file.
9. Click Next.
10. Click Finish.

Capture mode will start and your batch file will be launched. Capture mode will end after the batch file has been processed. If capture mode does not end after the batch file has completed, check for and end any child process the program installers launched. For example, some installers execute a "quick launch" program and place an icon in the system tray.

Single Program Capture option using a command file

By using a command file you can capture multiple programs into a single layer using Single Program Capture without having to launch each installer manually from the command line.

Procedure

1. Create a command (.cmd) file containing the command lines for launching each of the programs you want to capture to a single layer.

In Software Virtualization Solution Admin:

2. Click File > Create New Layer.
3. Select Install application.
4. Click Next.
5. Type in a name for the layer.
6. Click Next.
7. Select Single program capture.
8. Under Program name type in the path for your command file.
9. Click Next.
10. Click Finish.

Capture mode will start and your command file will be launched. Capture mode will end after the command file has been processed. If capture mode does not end after the command file has completed, check for and end any child process the program installers launched. For example, some installers execute a "quick launch" program and place an icon in the system tray.

Update Existing Layer

If you already have a layer created and configured the way you like but want to add additional applications, you can use the Update Existing Layer function.

Procedure

In Software Virtualization Solution Admin:

1. Click File > Update Existing Layer.
2. Select the layer you want to update from the list.
3. Click Next.
4. Select Single program capture.
5. Under Program name browse to or type in the path for installer file you want to use.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Finish.

Capture mode will start and the program installer specified will be executed. Capture mode will end after the new program installer has finished.

If you want you can repeat the steps above or combine this method with the others described in order to add multiple programs to the existing layer.