Last week we told you about MED-V 1.0, the Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization tool that's now available as part of Microsoft's MDOP 2009, or Desktop Optimization Pack. (They do love their alphabet soup, don't they?)

Maybe you glossed over the post, or maybe you just don't get why MED-V is such a big deal. After all, it's just another virtualization tool, right? Not to hear Windows guru Paul Thurrott tell it. He describes MED-V as "the future of Windows application compatibility," and states unequivocally that it "removes one of the biggest barriers to adopting a new version of Windows."

Here's a revealing excerpt from the article:

Until now, migrating to a new Windows version entails a lengthy compatibility testing process and, usually, investigations into what it will take to move critical custom applications, LOB (line of business) applications, and other client software over to the new OS. This delays the rollout of the new OS, and prevents users from taking advantage of that system's enhanced security and functionality.

With MED-V, application compatibility is decoupled from the OS. Those applications that cannot run natively under the new Windows version can be deployed to desktops under a hidden Virtual PC-based virtual environment. To the end user, however, they're simply running the applications that they need, and they don't need to deal with separate virtual and physical desktops. Instead, MED-V allows virtualized applications to run side-by-side with native applications and interact properly with the underlying PC's file system and other capabilities. The effect is nearly seamless.

In other words, if you continue to resist deploying Vista due to concerns about application compatibility, MED-V should put them to rest.

As we noted previously, for now MDOP 2009 is available strictly for Software Assurance customers, who can download it on the Microsoft Volume Licensing Site (MVLS). IT Pros who want to evaluate the tools can access them on the MSDN and TechNet sites.