Written by our engineers, TechVentiX is a blog series in which we’ll dive deeper into the technology of application distribution and management.
As the End of Support (EOS) for Microsoft App-V is reaching in April 2026, organizations relying on this application virtualization technology must plan their transition strategies.
While the App-V server components won’t be available on modern operating systems, the App-V client is still available. This means organizations can continue running App-V applications while working on their exit strategy (such as moving to MSIX).
With AppVentiX, you don’t need the App-V server components to continue using App-V in your organization. In this blog article we’ll explain the steps needed to migrate from the App-V infrastructure to AppVentiX.
Benefits of using App-V
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) has been a reliable solution for many organizations as it provided centralized management — ensuring consistent deployments and simplified updates across the organization – with application isolation that prevented conflicts between applications and reduced compatibility issues, which helped in running legacy applications on modern operating systems.
Abstracting applications from the underlying operating system allows for real-time changes, easy updates and rollbacks, prevents application conflicts and pollution of your machines.
App-V Components
Microsoft App-V consists of server and client components. On the infrastructure side, App-V consist of five individual server components that each serve a specific purpose in an App-V environment.
None of the components mentioned are supported after the EOS in April 2026.
On the client side there are two components:
After April 2026 the Sequencer won’t be available in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Toolkit. As a result, it won’t be possible to create new App-V packages!
Starting with Windows 10 version 1607 the App-V client is installed automatically but needs to be enabled.
Moving Away from App-V: The Need for Change
With the end-of-support of App-V imminent, organizations must seek alternatives to continue benefiting from application virtualization without facing unsupported environments. Transitioning to a modern, robust solution like AppVentiX ensures continuity and leverages advanced capabilities.
While Microsoft has been explicit on the end of support for the App-V server components and sequencer, the desktop client is integrated in the Windows operating system. It is believed it will remained supported.
Application Distribution with AppVentiX
AppVentiX is simple and powerful. When distributing App-V packages – or MSIX for that matter — there’s no need for a complex back-end infrastructure; all we need is a file share. AppVentiX supports Windows file shares (direct or DFS), Azure file shares, Nutanix and NetApp file shares.
Our software will take care of all aspects of application distribution and management:
- Configuration of the App-V client (you no longer need GPO’s for that)
- Distribution of packages to clients (you no longer need a publishing server)
- Publishing of applications to selected users and groups
- Prioritizing applications to ensure critical applications are available first
- Advanced cache management for (non)persistent machines
- Automated cleanup of packages no longer needed
Steps to Migrate from App-V Infrastructure to AppVentiX
Migrating to AppVentiX is a straightforward process, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your organization transition smoothly:
Assessment and Planning
- Inventory Applications: Identify all applications currently virtualized using App-V.
- Evaluate Dependencies: Assess dependencies and configurations to ensure all necessary components are considered.
- Create a Migration Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan outlining the migration process, timelines, and responsibilities.
- Create a Rollback Plan: Creating a rollback plan ensures that you can safely revert to the previous stable state in case of any issues during the migration or deployment process.
Set Up AppVentiX Environment
- Establish File Share: Create a content file share to store your App-V packages. Ensure it is accessible to all users who need to access the applications. If you’d like to pre-cache certain packages, create two subfolders (e.g., content and content_precache)
- Install AppVentiX Agent: Deploy the AppVentiX agent on the endpoints alongside the App-V client. The Agent can be pushed to the machines, integrated in your deployment with a silent installation or installed in our golden image.
Once the configuration is enabled, the AppVentiX agent will manage the delivery of App-V applications from the content share and (re)configure the App-V client. The AppVentiX agent won’t interfere with the running configuration as long as it instructed to do so.
For more detailed steps on installing and configuring AppVentiX check out our YouTube channel.
Migrate App-V Packages
- Export Packages: Export your existing App-V packages from the current infrastructure. The packages have an extension of .appv and are stored in your content repository.
- Transfer to Content Share: Transfer the exported App-V packages to the designated file share created for AppVentiX. If you’d like to pre-cache certain packages you can create a second content folder, in the machine group created in the next step pre-caching is configured.
- Create Publishing Tasks: Open the Manage Content section in AppVentiX Central View create a publishing task for each App-V package that mimics your configuration in the App-V management console (typically an App-V package is published to a group of users).
Configure AppVentiX
- Create Machine Group: Create a Machine Group that contains the machines running the App-V client. These are the machines where your users run their applications (their desktops). Click on Manage Groups in the Manage Machines section followed by Add new Machine Group. You can define a machine group based on an Active Directory Group or OU, or Entra ID.
Once you enable App-V management AppVentiX will start managing App-V packages, do not enable this on machines that are currently managed by an App-V publishing server.
Configure AppVentiX
- Configure App-V client: Define the configuration of the App-V client for the specific machine group. Click on Configure Agent for selected Machine Group for the created machine group.
Typically the default settings works for most organizations. If you configured specific settings for your client, such as the App-V cache location, apply them here.
Configure AppVentiX
- Test Deployments: Conduct thorough testing to ensure applications are delivered correctly and function as expected. It is recommended to create a test machine group in which you place isolated machines for comprehensive testing.
Remove App-V publishing configuration
- Remove App-V client configuration: If you configured a configuration of the App-V client, e.g. using GPO, remove that prior to moving to the next step
- Cleanup configuration: It is recommended to cleanup the configuration on the App-V client on your desktops (or golden image). The configured App-V publishing servers need to be removed, this configuration can be found in the registry at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppV\Client\Publishing\Servers\
Once this configuration is removed, the App-V client is no longer under management by the App-V publishing server
Go Live
- Enable App-V management in AppVentiX: Enable App-V management for the machine group where your machines are located. Click on Manage Groups in the Manage Machines section, select the machine group followed by clicking on Configure Agent for selected Machine Group.
- Monitor and Support: During the initial phase, closely monitor the deployment process and provide support to users as needed. If possible, migrate in phases. Migrate a portion of your desktop estate and monitor if any issues arise. Make sure you have a rollback plan.
- Optimize and Refine: Gather feedback and make any necessary adjustments to optimize the performance and user experience.
- Disable publishing tasks in App-V: Disable the publishing tasks in the App-V management console, they are no longer needed.
Conclusion
Transitioning from App-V infrastructure to AppVentiX offers a seamless and efficient path forward as the deadline of April 2026 approaches. By simplifying the deployment process and leveraging a modern platform, organizations can continue to benefit from application virtualization without the complexities of traditional infrastructure.
Start planning your migration today to ensure uninterrupted application delivery and enhanced operational efficiency with AppVentiX.
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