Importance

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Abstract

A method and system for advertising software applications by placing application shortcuts on a start menu or desktop and writing entries to the system registry enabling file extension-based activation and Class ID-based activation of those applications, thereby advertising the applications as available even if not installed. In network settings, advertised applications may be assigned to a user via a policy. To this end, an advertising script is stored with a policy associated with computer or user policy recipients, and the advertising script includes assigned application identifier information. One or more scripts are applied, such as to a user at logon or a machine at re-boot. The scripts are processed by an installer mechanism to advertise the application. Applications advertised as available to the user prior to any installation thereof are installed by an installer as needed upon user activation. Other applications may be published, whereby they do not appear to be available, but the installer mechanism looks for them in a centralized network store when indirectly activated such as via file extension-based activation and Class ID-based activation. If found, the installer mechanism installs the published application and essentially changes it to an assigned application.

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First Claim