Environment
EXTRA! X-treme 9.5
Microsoft Windows 7
Microsoft Windows 10
Microsoft Application Virtualization 5.1
Microsoft Windows 7
Microsoft Windows 10
Microsoft Application Virtualization 5.1
Microsoft Application Virtualization 5.2
The sequencing steps described in this document were performed on:
Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit) with App-V 5.1
Windows 10 Enterprise Build 1803 with App-V 5.2
Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit) with App-V 5.1
Windows 10 Enterprise Build 1803 with App-V 5.2
Situation
This article includes a recipe to sequence EXTRA! X-treme 9.5 so that it can run as a virtual application streamed from a Virtual Application Server or deployed with Windows installer technology using Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) version 5.0 and higher.
Resolution
Before using the Microsoft Sequencer Package Configuration Wizard to sequence EXTRA! X-treme 9.5, document the sequencing requirements and steps by determining which EXTRA! X-treme components and features are to be installed, the location of installation files, and the location of any configured user data, such as session documents. Some EXTRA! application components may not be needed and it is recommended to install EXTRA! on a stand-alone PC to help identify and document the installation steps in advance.
If EXTRA! has any service packs or updates, ensure that the service pack installer file, *.MSP, is available for installation during the sequencing process. The EXTRA! Microsoft Office Tools have not been tested to work with Microsoft Office streamed as a virtual application.
Use the Custom Installation Wizard (CIW) to create customized installation packages. See https://support.microfocus.com/kb/doc.php?id=7021288. Also refer to the Preparing to Deploy EXTRA! X-treme - A System Administrator's Guide as a resource, which is available from https://docs.attachmate.com/extra/x-treme/8.x/CentralManagementWalkthrough.pdf The following steps assume that an Administrative Installation has been performed per the system Administrator's Guide.
Use the Application Virtualization Sequencer Wizard to start the sequencing process with EXTRA! X-treme 9.5:
1. Launch the Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer
2. Select “Create a New Virtual Application Packageâ€
3. For the Packaging Method select “Create Package (default)â€
4. Press Next
5. Resolve any issues shown on the Prepare Computer list
6. Press Next
7. For the Type of Application choose “Standard Application (default)â€
8. Press Next
9. On the Select Installer dialog choose “Select the installer for the applicationâ€
Use the Browse button to find the EXTRA! X-treme SETUP.EXE program in the EXTRA! Administrative Installation location
10. Press Next
11. On the Package Name screen enter the Virtual Application Package Name of your choice, like " EXTRA! X-treme 9.5"
Enter the Primary Virtual Application Directory (required) name:
For example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\EXTRA!
12. Press Next
13. Wait for the Virtual Environment to load.
14. Select your install language, and then click OK.
15. In the Setup Wizard, click Next.
16. Accept the License Agreement, and then click Next.
17. Enter a User Name, Organization, and under "Install this application for," select "Anyone who uses this computer (all users)." Click Next.
18. Specify a Destination Folder, and then click Next.
19. For User Data Location, select User Defined Directory, and then click Next.
20. On the User Data Destination Folder screen, click Browse. The Attachmate variable called USERID should be entered in the path string as shown below.
c:\Users\USERID\Documents\Micro Focus\EXTRA!\
and click OK, and then click Next.
Note the following:
The USERID parameter needs to be all upper case. At EXTRA!’s runtime the USERID parameter will be resolved to the currently logged-in user.
The files located at
c:\Program Files\Micro Focus\EXTRA!\macros | schemes | sessions\ENU
or
c:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\EXTRA!\macros | schemes | sessions\ENU
will be copied to the user’s personal folders location the first time EXTRA! is run for that particular user.
21. Select Custom, and then click Next.
22. On the Custom Setup dialog, de-select any features not needed so that they will not install.
For example, de-select the following:
Application Options\API Options
Application Options\Utilities
Utilities\Kerberos Manager
Utilities\Key Agent
23. Click Next.
24. Click the "Install" button.
25. When the Installation has completed successfully, click the Finish button.
26. If service packs or updates are to be installed to EXTRA! X-treme:
a. On the Installation dialog of the App-V sequencer, press the “Run†button
b. Select the appropriate *.MSP file(s) to install a service pack, update or patch.
27. When the update or patch is installed or if there is no further .MSP updates to install, continue on.
28. When the install is complete, check the box that says “I am finished installingâ€
29. Press Next
30. Wait while App-V collects the system changes and the Configure Software screen displays.
31. From the Configure Software screen, highlight the EXTRA! X-treme choice and click on “Run Selected†to launch the application.
(Do NOT click Run All.)
32. To create a new session document, select “Create a new sessionâ€.
Save the session file in the C:\Users\Public\Documents\Micro Focus\EXTRA! folder to be available for all end-users.
33. Launch and then close any session document to create the App-V files that will be used for streaming.
If you launch the Reflection FTP client, or any session document, and a Sequencer error displays:
“The Sequencer could not stop the MSIServer service,†click OK and try again.
34. After all the applications and EXTRA! Host sessions have been run and closed, press Next.
35. Verify the data on the Installation Report screen and resolve any issues
36. Press Next.
37. On the Customize screen decide if further customization is needed.
For example: if restrictions are required concerning different operating systems this is the time to do it.
38. If no further customization is needed select “Stop now. Create a basic virtualization package (default).â€
39. Press Next.
40. Select “Save the package now†and enter the Save Location for the package contents
41. Press Create.
By default the App-V package will be located on the desktop of App-V Sequencing PC.
42. After the package is created press Close to finish and exit the Application Virtualization Sequencer program.
43. Copy the completed sequenced App-V package files to the Distribution Point or Virtual Application Server.
If EXTRA! has any service packs or updates, ensure that the service pack installer file, *.MSP, is available for installation during the sequencing process. The EXTRA! Microsoft Office Tools have not been tested to work with Microsoft Office streamed as a virtual application.
Use the Custom Installation Wizard (CIW) to create customized installation packages. See https://support.microfocus.com/kb/doc.php?id=7021288. Also refer to the Preparing to Deploy EXTRA! X-treme - A System Administrator's Guide as a resource, which is available from https://docs.attachmate.com/extra/x-treme/8.x/CentralManagementWalkthrough.pdf The following steps assume that an Administrative Installation has been performed per the system Administrator's Guide.
Use the Application Virtualization Sequencer Wizard to start the sequencing process with EXTRA! X-treme 9.5:
1. Launch the Microsoft Application Virtualization Sequencer
2. Select “Create a New Virtual Application Packageâ€
3. For the Packaging Method select “Create Package (default)â€
4. Press Next
5. Resolve any issues shown on the Prepare Computer list
6. Press Next
7. For the Type of Application choose “Standard Application (default)â€
8. Press Next
9. On the Select Installer dialog choose “Select the installer for the applicationâ€
Use the Browse button to find the EXTRA! X-treme SETUP.EXE program in the EXTRA! Administrative Installation location
10. Press Next
11. On the Package Name screen enter the Virtual Application Package Name of your choice, like " EXTRA! X-treme 9.5"
Enter the Primary Virtual Application Directory (required) name:
For example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\EXTRA!
12. Press Next
13. Wait for the Virtual Environment to load.
14. Select your install language, and then click OK.
15. In the Setup Wizard, click Next.
16. Accept the License Agreement, and then click Next.
17. Enter a User Name, Organization, and under "Install this application for," select "Anyone who uses this computer (all users)." Click Next.
18. Specify a Destination Folder, and then click Next.
19. For User Data Location, select User Defined Directory, and then click Next.
20. On the User Data Destination Folder screen, click Browse. The Attachmate variable called USERID should be entered in the path string as shown below.
c:\Users\USERID\Documents\Micro Focus\EXTRA!\
and click OK, and then click Next.
Note the following:
The USERID parameter needs to be all upper case. At EXTRA!’s runtime the USERID parameter will be resolved to the currently logged-in user.
The files located at
c:\Program Files\Micro Focus\EXTRA!\macros | schemes | sessions\ENU
or
c:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\EXTRA!\macros | schemes | sessions\ENU
will be copied to the user’s personal folders location the first time EXTRA! is run for that particular user.
21. Select Custom, and then click Next.
22. On the Custom Setup dialog, de-select any features not needed so that they will not install.
For example, de-select the following:
Application Options\API Options
Application Options\Utilities
Utilities\Kerberos Manager
Utilities\Key Agent
23. Click Next.
24. Click the "Install" button.
25. When the Installation has completed successfully, click the Finish button.
26. If service packs or updates are to be installed to EXTRA! X-treme:
a. On the Installation dialog of the App-V sequencer, press the “Run†button
b. Select the appropriate *.MSP file(s) to install a service pack, update or patch.
27. When the update or patch is installed or if there is no further .MSP updates to install, continue on.
28. When the install is complete, check the box that says “I am finished installingâ€
29. Press Next
30. Wait while App-V collects the system changes and the Configure Software screen displays.
31. From the Configure Software screen, highlight the EXTRA! X-treme choice and click on “Run Selected†to launch the application.
(Do NOT click Run All.)
32. To create a new session document, select “Create a new sessionâ€.
Save the session file in the C:\Users\Public\Documents\Micro Focus\EXTRA! folder to be available for all end-users.
33. Launch and then close any session document to create the App-V files that will be used for streaming.
If you launch the Reflection FTP client, or any session document, and a Sequencer error displays:
“The Sequencer could not stop the MSIServer service,†click OK and try again.
34. After all the applications and EXTRA! Host sessions have been run and closed, press Next.
35. Verify the data on the Installation Report screen and resolve any issues
36. Press Next.
37. On the Customize screen decide if further customization is needed.
For example: if restrictions are required concerning different operating systems this is the time to do it.
38. If no further customization is needed select “Stop now. Create a basic virtualization package (default).â€
39. Press Next.
40. Select “Save the package now†and enter the Save Location for the package contents
41. Press Create.
By default the App-V package will be located on the desktop of App-V Sequencing PC.
42. After the package is created press Close to finish and exit the Application Virtualization Sequencer program.
43. Copy the completed sequenced App-V package files to the Distribution Point or Virtual Application Server.
Additional Information
Follow these best practices for Sequencing with Microsoft App-V:
1. Always use a clean sequencing PC that has not yet been used for sequencing an application.
2. Install as a User account with local administrator rights on the PC used for sequencing.
3. Turn off Windows Defender, Anti-virus software, Automatic Windows Update, and Windows Security Alerts.
4. If User Account Control (UAC) is used on the client PC, then it should be turned on during the sequencing process.
5. Sequence on the same operating system type, version, and patch level as the App-V Desktop Client systems.
The Microsoft App-V 5 Client and Sequencer machines under Windows 7 require a number of prerequisite software packages on the system to run properly and these will be installed as you run the Microsoft App-V 5.0 or 5.1 setup. These are also documented at: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-desktop-optimization-pack/appv-v5/app-v-50-prerequisites
If using Windows 10 it is recommended that Windows 10 Enterprise version is used which contains the Microsoft App-V client version 5.2 already installed. To enable the App-V client under Widows 10, use the "Enable-Appv" PowerShell command (Run as Administrator) or see Microsoft documentation for other methods on how to enable the App-V client.
Instead of using a Microsoft Virtual Application Server to deploy the sequenced application, the .MSI package created when you save EXTRA! X-treme sequenced as a virtual application can be used to run in a standalone environment. Instead of streaming the virtualized application, this method uses .MSI installer technology to load and configure virtual applications onto PCs running the App-V Desktop Client.
Once EXTRA! has been sequenced and configured for streaming, copy the sequenced package files to the Virtual Application Server content folder, and then prepare EXTRA! for publishing along with assigning the virtual application package to users. See Microsoft documentation for details about this process.
EXTRA! X-treme 9.5 is a 32-bit Windows application and thus if you are sequencing or running App-V on a 64-bit copy of the Microsoft Windows operating system you may also need to manually install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable version that is an App-V prerequisite.
If the EXTRA! emulator is running in a virtual environment, APIs (like COM and HLLAPI) cannot be accessed by client applications that are running on the desktop outside of the virtual environment. Client applications like these that depend on components found in the directory where the emulator is installed will not work unless they are also installed on the server where the emulator software is located.
1. Always use a clean sequencing PC that has not yet been used for sequencing an application.
2. Install as a User account with local administrator rights on the PC used for sequencing.
3. Turn off Windows Defender, Anti-virus software, Automatic Windows Update, and Windows Security Alerts.
4. If User Account Control (UAC) is used on the client PC, then it should be turned on during the sequencing process.
5. Sequence on the same operating system type, version, and patch level as the App-V Desktop Client systems.
The Microsoft App-V 5 Client and Sequencer machines under Windows 7 require a number of prerequisite software packages on the system to run properly and these will be installed as you run the Microsoft App-V 5.0 or 5.1 setup. These are also documented at: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-desktop-optimization-pack/appv-v5/app-v-50-prerequisites
If using Windows 10 it is recommended that Windows 10 Enterprise version is used which contains the Microsoft App-V client version 5.2 already installed. To enable the App-V client under Widows 10, use the "Enable-Appv" PowerShell command (Run as Administrator) or see Microsoft documentation for other methods on how to enable the App-V client.
Instead of using a Microsoft Virtual Application Server to deploy the sequenced application, the .MSI package created when you save EXTRA! X-treme sequenced as a virtual application can be used to run in a standalone environment. Instead of streaming the virtualized application, this method uses .MSI installer technology to load and configure virtual applications onto PCs running the App-V Desktop Client.
Once EXTRA! has been sequenced and configured for streaming, copy the sequenced package files to the Virtual Application Server content folder, and then prepare EXTRA! for publishing along with assigning the virtual application package to users. See Microsoft documentation for details about this process.
EXTRA! X-treme 9.5 is a 32-bit Windows application and thus if you are sequencing or running App-V on a 64-bit copy of the Microsoft Windows operating system you may also need to manually install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable version that is an App-V prerequisite.
If the EXTRA! emulator is running in a virtual environment, APIs (like COM and HLLAPI) cannot be accessed by client applications that are running on the desktop outside of the virtual environment. Client applications like these that depend on components found in the directory where the emulator is installed will not work unless they are also installed on the server where the emulator software is located.