Internet Explorer 8 Windows XP Isolated Layer Definition File

The Internet Explorer 8 Isolated Layer Definition File creates a "Launch Layer" that can be used to invoke IE8 from a layer that is isolated from the operating system. This allows the virtualized IE8 layer to have its "Hide from Operating System" flag set so that all the layer registry and file system data is hidden from the Operating System. The benefit of this configuration is that it shields the Operating System from having visibility into any of the layer content. This can provide increased stability in cases where a virtual layer may add components or registry keys that may conflict or cause incompatibilities with applications running in the "Base" (i.e. non-virtualized applications).

Prerequisites

- Symantec Workspace Virtualization v6.1 SP1 or greater
- Symantec Workspace Virtualization Layer Definition Tool. Download.
- Internet Explorer 8 Layer Definition File - This must be installed on the system before installing this IE8 Isolated Layer LDF. Download.

Installation

The steps for creating the Internet Explorer 8 Isolated Layer are very straight-forward.

1. Extract the download that accompanies this article to your desktop (ie8-iso-winxp-1.0.21.0.zip - where -x.x.x.x is the LDF version).
2. Double-Click the .EXE (ie8-iso-winxp-1.0.21.0.EXE is a self-extracting zip). This will invoke swvldf.exe (Layer Definition Tool) with the proper parameters to create the Internet Explorer 8 Isolated Layer.
 

How it works

For information on how the Launch mechanism works read the Connect Article entitled: "Symantec Workspace Virtualization Process Launcher for Isolated Virtual Applications"

The script that invokes the creation of this "Launch Layer" performs the following actions:
1. Modifies the existing virtual Internet Explorer 8 Layer ( Download ) to ensure its "Hide from Operating System" flag is set. An LDF file is used to modify this layer. The IE8 layer must exist and have the same layer ID as the virtual IE8 for XP layer.
2. Adds a new "Launch Layer" which contains a shortcut that invokes IE8 a launcher within the "Launch Layer" that in turn launches the IE8 process from the isolated layer. This also makes the virtual IE8 layer a "dependent layer" of the "Launch Layer". This will ensure that when the "Launch Layer" is activated the virtual IE8 layer will also be activated. Once activated a "Internet Explorer 8" shortcut will be made available on the desktop.