User State Virtualization

While some IT professionals may use the terms interchangeably, user state virtualization is slightly different than user virtualization. Like user virtualization, user state virtualization describes the separation of user settings and data from an end user's personal computer.  But user state virtualization is a term used by Microsoft.  It primarily refers to three main Microsoft technologies:

• Roaming profiles
• Folder redirection
• Offline files

In some environments, the combination of these three technologies make Microsoft user state virtualization a sufficient solution for managing users’ settings, personalization and access to company resources. Windows 7 also offered some additional advancements in user state virtualization. 

But the advent of different desktop virtualization technologies has uncovered some limitations of user state virtualization.  These limitations of user state virtualization can often be overcome by the more advanced capabilities of user  virtualization.

RES Workspace Manager creates context-aware and adaptive workspaces that IT can centrally manage and secure. Workspace Manager is ideal for hybrid environments that consist of multiple delivery technologies and devices. It allows IT to have unified management across all the platforms within an organization.

The term user virtualization is often interchanged with workspace management, user environment management and persistent personalization.