Abstract: A method for replacing a current desktop image having a current operating system on storage media for a computing device is described. In the method, an agent process is executed on the computing device for downloading from a server to a staging area on local storage media a replacement desktop disk image having a replacement operating system. The replacement desktop image includes a prefetch set of files and metadata for additional files, the prefetch set of files including a minimal set of files necessary to boot the replacement operating system, the replacement desktop image not including contents of the additional files. The computing device is rebooted to replace the current desktop image with the replacement desktop image. The computing device is then rebooted again to load the replacement operating system using the prefetch set of files.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for desktop streaming over wide area networks. In one embodiment, a computer comprises logic stored in one or more storage media. The logic is configured to receive a first request for a desktop image comprising a collection of files, and to segment the desktop image into a prefetch set, a streaming set, and a leave-behind set. The prefetch set includes a smallest subset of files, in the collection of files, that is needed for a boot up without requiring retrieval of additional files. The streaming set includes those files, in the collection of files, that are to be sent after the boot up. The leave-behind set includes those files, in the collection of files, that are to be sent when specifically requested. In response to the first request, the logic is configured to send the prefetch set to a computing device.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for desktop streaming over wide area networks. In one embodiment, a computing device comprises pivot logic that is configured to be executed during a first boot of an operating system on a computing device as a pivot process that is the only process running when performing modifications to a file system on the computing device. During execution, the pivot process replaces a current set of files in the file system with a new desktop image that represents a complete view of the file system. The desktop image includes a prefetch set of files, but other files in the desktop image are represented by file metadata. The prefetch set of files includes a smallest subset of files that is needed to boot the computing device without requiring retrieval of additional files. During execution, the pivot process terminates the first boot and to invoke a second boot that is executed based on the prefetch set of files included in the new desktop image.