Abstract: The application describes updating, by a computing system, a table to include first data usable to locate a first portion of metadata in a supplementary database that is accessible from a storage device. The metadata is related to one or more functions of an application that execute on the computing system. The table also includes second data usable to locate a second portion of the metadata in a system database of the computing system. During execution of the application, a request for one or more portions of the metadata is received, and the table is used to determine one or more locations of the one or more portions of the metadata of the request. In response to the request, at least one of the first portion of the metadata is read from the supplementary database or the second portion of the metadata is read from the system database.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for mitigating user interruption for partially downloaded or streamed virtual applications from a network, such as the Internet. A memory abstraction module can monitor page faults related to memory requests. A page fault may result from a memory request to load code that is not currently available and may trigger the retrieval of code from the network. A monitoring module may identify the quantity or frequency of page faults resulting in code fetches over the network. When the quantity or frequency of fetches over the network exceeds one or more thresholds, an indication of potential delay may be provided to the user. Modified code within an application can trigger download of a collection of code related to specific functionality within the application referred to as wrapped functionality. The user may be provided with a cancel button, or other mechanism, to abort the wrapped download.

Abstract: The invention may be considered a method and a system for changing license rights to a software product installed on a computer without reinstalling the software product. A first license and a second license to the software product are stored on the computer along with code for the software product. Subsequent to the installation, a change license module receives a command to change the license to the software product. In response to the command, the configuration data is changed to associate the software product with the second license and limit use of the software product to uses consistent with the second set of rights.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for mitigating user interruption for partially downloaded or streamed virtual applications from a network, such as the Internet. A memory abstraction module can monitor page faults related to memory requests. A page fault may result from a memory request to load code that is not currently available and may trigger the retrieval of code from the network. A monitoring module may identify the quantity or frequency of page faults resulting in code fetches over the network. When the quantity or frequency of fetches over the network exceeds one or more thresholds, an indication of potential delay may be provided to the user. Modified code within an application can trigger download of a collection of code related to specific functionality within the application referred to as wrapped functionality. The user may be provided with a cancel button, or other mechanism, to abort the wrapped download.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for bootstrapping streamed and virtualized applications from a network. Bootstrapping features may be deployed entirely over hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) or other file download, or file transfer, mechanisms. A bootstrap loader, or bootstrapper, may provide the user interface (UI) elements during launch of an application from a network. Prerequisites, system requirements, languages, and localization for the application may be supported. Consistent UI elements may be presented starting with the bootstrapper through to the streaming and initial execution of the application. Consistent UI elements and rapid streamed downloading can provide a user with a boot-like user experience even for an online click-to-run application being streamed from a network.

Abstract: In accordance with other aspects, the present invention relates to a system for identifying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system having at least one other software product of the first type installed on the computer system. The system includes a first license associated with the first software product; at least one second license associated with the at least one other software product installed on the computer; and a license module that compares the first license and the at least one second license and selects one of the first and second licenses based on predetermined criteria. Methods for identifying and displaying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system are also disclosed.

Abstract: This document describes techniques that enable an application to operate as if the application were running on its native computing system when it is actually running on another computing system. The techniques may do so by building a portable registry having metadata particular to the application, which can be stored in a portable device along with that application. When that portable device is connected to another computing system, the portable registry may be used to supplement or supplant the other computing system's registry to enable the application to operate with its particular functionality.

Abstract: A portable storage device includes an interface and one or more flash memories. The one or more flash memories store one or more executable files that can be executed by a host computer to which the device is coupled without altering any environment settings on the host computer even though the one or more executable files include instructions to access environment settings. Additionally, the application is bound to the portable storage device during an activation process.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable media are disclosed related to installing and distributing multiple software products. Computer code necessary to install multiple, related but distinct software products is stored on the storage media and includes at least some primary code that is necessary to all software products installable from a storage medium or set of media. Installation of a specific software product includes the installation of the primary code and at least some product-specific code. Installation is performed by an installer that identifies and installs the appropriate software product based on information, such as a product key, provided by the user. The installer may use a lookup table to identify the code to install and verify that the user is entitled to the software product.