Running a MED-V application that depends on presence may not properly show presence when hovering over it in the System Tray

Let’s review some basic information about how MED-V: The way MED-V V2 works is the Windows 7 host machine connects to the Guest Virtual PC through an RDP-style connection. This basically turns the Windows XP Virtual PC into a mini-RDP server. This must always be in the back of your mind while you test your applications under a MED-V solution. Leveraging RDP removes the need for a hooking DLL to be injected into the guest OS and cuts down on the overhead of the MED-V Guest Agent.

Since applications that run under MED-V are basically the same to the Windows 7 host as applications running remotely on an RDS or Terminal server, you will encounter specific limitations in cosmetic desktop features. For example, the AeroPeek style thumbnail preview of the remote application will not be visible. Window titles will show an appended (Remote) to differentiate it from the local applications.

In addition to what comes through the remote connections, MED-V will republish (pass along) critical messages that appear in the Windows XP system tray. For example, password expiry notices and update notices from WSUS (or Configuration Manager) will also appear on the local desktop. Applications that publish to the Windows XP System tray in the guest will also appear in the host (with an appended “Remote.”)

One item that is not simply a cosmetic issue that you will need to be aware of when considering MED-V for application remediation are applications that have presence indicators in the system tray. Changes in presence often cause a change in icon or icon color as well as their pop-out status message. While these status icons will appear in the Host system tray, there will be potential issues with changes in user presence updating icons properly.  Applications such as Communicator, Windows Messenger, and Lotus SameTime may not always update/change presence notifications properly when running in a MED-V workspace.

Let’s use the example of a user being signed in initially as “available.” When the use steps away and becomes idle, the system tray icon may not initially reset the icon appearing in the host to “Away” even though the user is away from their desk.

How MED-V Affects Windows XP End-of-Life Support Policy (It Doesn’t.)

Lately, I have many customers who are in the process or quickly planning their migration from Windows XP to Windows 7. Some of them are even looking to become early adopters of Windows 8. In the process of inventorying, rationalizing, and providing application compatibility remediation for their legacy applications, the need for leveraging MED-V for last-resort application compatibility remediation has created questions with regards to Windows XP supportability and how MED-V may or may not affect that. For application issues such as 16-bit remediation for x64, MED-V is the only option for enterprise customers.
Given that the supported MED-V solutions (v1 and v2) and its scaled-back VPC counterpart Windows XP Mode leverage the use of a Windows XP operating system instance, the question is always posed to me – Does the Windows XP EOL policy also apply to MED-V? The question may also be asked slightly differently but more pointedly: Does MED-V extend the Windows XP EOL policy?

The short answer is: No MDOP solution extends or affects the Windows XP Lifecycle end-of-life date for support. That date is firm and will not change. April 8, 2014 – as per the reference here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/endofsupport.aspx

MED-V Version 1

MED-V Version 1 is technically still in support however, only MED-V V1 workspaces containing the Windows XP operating system are. Even though MED-V V1 did temporarily allow for the use of Windows 2000 workspaces on Windows 7 when released in 2009, it did not extend the support date for Windows 2000 instances beyond the end of 2010. Since mainstream support for MED-V v1 ends on August 10, 2013 (per http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=desktop+virtualization&Filter=FilterNO) there is no confusion as there is with MED-V V2 since MED-V V1 will already be out of support by the time 2014 arrives. If customers running MED-V V1 have not already started looking for alternative means of application remediation going forward for Windows 7 and/or Windows 8, the time to start thinking about that is now. Note: MED-V (any version) is not supported on Windows 8.

MED-V Version 2 and Virtual PC for Windows 7

MED-V version 2 will be supported until December 4, 2016 (per http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=desktop+virtualization&Filter=FilterNO.)
What this means is the actual MED-V and VPC7 code will be supported beyond the Windows XP EOL date – but the Windows XP code will not be. In essence, the host machine’s software will be fully supported until that date but no security or critical updates will be released for the guest operating system (other than potentially code fixes for elements pertaining to the MED-V guest agent.) Remember, MED-V is designed to only serve as a temporary solution for remediation. The end game should be the modernization or replacement of the application(s) in question. Also take heed the same applies for Windows XP Mode.

So the big question . . .

Finally, the last question I am always asked is: What do you recommend our end game date for leveraging MED-V should be?

My honest answer has never wavered: April 8, 2014 – if not sooner.

MED-V V2: Using the CTRL-ALT-Pause Key Combination to Access Hidden Dialog boxes in MED-V

If you are experiencing issues with MED-V published applications or startup programs such as:

• Hidden dialogs (intentional or unintentional)
• Pop-up or child windows not displaying correctly

• Bubble notifications

You may notice that some of those issues are resolved with many known fixes in Windows 7. Additional Recommended Updates for MED-V 2.0 that Address Application Issues http://blogs.technet.com/b/medv/archive/2011/07/20/additional-recommended-updates-for-med-v-2-0-that-address-application-issues.aspx

Even with the fixes in place, you may notice there are still some application dialogs that are opened in an application running in the guest but are hidden from the user and will prevent the user from interacting with the application. When this happens, use the following workaround to troubleshoot/facilitate use:

• Open a MED-V application on the desktop or select an active application

• Use the following key combination CTRL+ALT+Pause

To return back to the MED-V Experience use the same key combination.

This allows you to get to the MED-V workspace desktop and see all open dialogs and applications.