ThinApp
ThinApp is an application virtualization product developed by VMware that packages Windows applications into self-contained, portable executables or installer files. Originally created as Thinstall and acquired by VMware in 2008, ThinApp isolates applications from the underlying operating system and other installed software by redirecting file system and registry access to a virtualized container. This approach reduces installation conflicts, simplifies deployment, and supports running multiple versions of the same application side-by-side.
The ThinApp workflow typically uses a capture-and-package model: a baseline snapshot of a clean system is taken,
Key capabilities include application isolation, portability across supported Windows versions, and reduced dependency on per-machine installation.
ThinApp is offered as part of VMware’s product portfolio and is used in enterprise environments to streamline