Internet Explorer Virtualizer
Virtualizing Internet Explorer offers enormous benefits, but the setup has some obstacles. Jeremy Sanderson wraps the solution up into one small, easy-to-use download. Available here and now. [Updated to use a vbs script instead of a .cmd file, so the process window is hidden.]
Details
With all the talk about virtualizing applications and protecting the base computer configuration, the subject has come up of how to virtualize Internet Explorer. The benefits of a virtualized Internet Explorer are obvious -- you don't have to worry about any spyware, cookies, or malicious ActiveX objects, because after using the browser you can reset or delete the layer that contains it.
Attempts to actually place Internet Explorer in a layer have been difficult because of its tight coupling with the OS. But you can use an often neglected option from the SVSCMD.EXE command line to solve the problem. You can run Internet Explorer as part of a layer, even if it isn't contained in the layer. As a result, all changes to the file system and registry are virtualized and can be dumped later.
This VirtualIE tool automates the setup for you. Simply download the ZIP file, extract the files and run install.cmd. This copies a script to your computer that runs Internet Explorer from an SVS layer; plus, it places an icon on the "All Users" desktop that users in your company can click to run the virtualized version of Internet Explorer.
Version History
13 Apr 2006
Now uses a vbs script instead of a .cmd file, so the process window is hidden.
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Comments
Can you virtualize the temp files and history also?
Virtualizing IE is cool, but can we also have the temp files and history virtualized? This would make it truly "self-cleaning".
Newbie here, sorry for asking obvious questions.
One of the beauties
That's one of the beauties of SVS. By default, everything like temp files, history, and bookmarks are stored in the layer with the application. You can also change the configuration so these pieces are stored elsewhere (and not deleted when the application is reset).
Scott Jones wrote a good article that explains more. It details how he set up Firefox using SVS. You can read it here.
Multiple versions of IE?
Can you virtualize multiple versions of IE? Being a web developer I like to be able to test my sites on multiple browsers, being lazy I don't want to get up out of my seat to do so. Is it possible to virtualize the different "flavors" of IE so you can have them right there at your fingertips?
To achieve conflict elimination...
To achieve conflict elimination, you would need the entire program code in a layer. We can't do that with IE because it's too closely coupled with the core OS. However, you can have all the versions you want of Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera and other alternate choices! :)
Scott Jones
Business Critical Engineer, Endpoint Virtualization
Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com
I'm confused...
When the IE shortcut is launched it appears to open a virtual version of IE. But I cannot locate where the VSA file is at.
What I want to accomplish is have "standard" settings for IE but have different settings be used ONLY when the virtual version is launched.
Am I on the right track with the VirtualIE tool?
localization problems / user problems
Hi Jeremy,
nice trick, just 2 challenges:
- your installer and script only work for English Windows. Why don't you use %PROGRAMFILES% instead of "C:\program files"?
- its a great thing for own home use but the lack of being able to FORCE the user to use this app instead of the 'real' IE makes it (almost) useless in business. Or am I missing something?
Have a great day, Rainer
IE Virtualization in business
I've found that using this I can have discrete IE sessions for a user depending on their need. So if they have a web based application that needs settings outside of our standard they can use this virtualization to run their application with specific settings and not impact the way everything else works under the "normal" IE.
I believe there is another thread on this board about further virtualizing IE, especially IE 7, which may be more applicable to a "forced use" situation.
Fantastic News!
The last thing I heard that this wasn't possible yet because it was so 'intertwined' with the OS that it couldn't be done. I will have to try this immediately! Does it also work with IE7? I know its still in Beta...Or RC1 excuse me...
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