Running the Application

Normally, a user will run the application manifest to execute the application from the server directly without installing the application on the local computer. Longhorn downloads the components of the application as needed. In this case, the server must be available to run the application.

When a user runs the deployment manifest, Longhorn downloads and installs the application on the local computer. The application can install icons on the desktop, add Start menu items, and generally become a traditional installed application. Of course, you also get the automatic background updates, version rollback, and uninstall support.

When you first launch a deployment manifest, Longhorn installs the application in the application cache and adds an entry to the Control Panel s Add or Remove Programs list. Subsequently, whenever you run the deployment manifest, the application loads directly from the application cache. It is typically not downloaded again.

However, when you uninstall the application from the cache using the Control Panel s Add/Remove Programs applet, subsequently execution of the deployment manifest downloads and installs the application once again.

Alternatively, you can change the version number of the application on the server. Then, when you run the deployment manifest, Longhorn will download and install the new version side-by-side with the current version. Both versions of the application will appear in the Add or Remove Programs list.