5.0

Updating Linked Clones with Desktop Recomposition
In a desktop recomposition, you can provide operating system patches, install or update applications, or
modify the desktop hardware settings in all the linked clones in a desktop pool.
To recompose linked-clone desktops, you update the parent virtual machine in vCenter Server or select a
different virtual machine to become the new parent. Next, you take a snapshot of the new parent virtual
machine configuration.
You can change the parent virtual machine without affecting the linked clones because they are linked to the
replica, not directly to the parent.
You then initiate the recomposition, selecting the snapshot to be used as the new base image for the desktop
pool. View Composer creates a new replica, copies the reconfigured OS disk to the linked clones, and anchors
the linked clones to the new replica.
The recomposition also refreshes the linked clones, reducing the size of their OS disks.
Desktop recompositions do not affect View Composer persistent disks.
Apply these guidelines to recompositions:
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You can recompose dedicated-assignment and floating-assignment pools.
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You can recompose a desktop pool on demand or as a scheduled event.
You can schedule only one recomposition at a time for a given set of linked clones. Before you can schedule
a new recomposition, you must cancel any previously scheduled task or wait until the previous operation
is completed. Before you can start a new recomposition immediately, you must cancel any previously
scheduled task.
You can schedule multiple recompositions if they affect different linked clones.
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You can recompose selected linked clones or all linked clones in a desktop pool.
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When different linked clones in a pool are derived from different snapshots of the base image or from
different base images, the pool includes more than one replica.
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You cannot recompose desktops that are running in local mode. Local desktops must be checked in or
rolled back to the datacenter before a recompose operation can take place.
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A recomposition can only occur when users are logged off of their View desktops.
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You cannot recompose linked clones that use one operating system to a new or updated parent virtual
machine that uses a different operating system.
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You cannot recompose Windows 7 linked clones that use one OS disk controller to a new or updated
parent virtual machine that uses a different OS disk controller.
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You cannot recompose linked clones to a lower hardware version than their current version. For example,
you cannot recompose hardware version 8 clones to a parent virtual machine that is hardware version 7.
NOTE If you used a Sysprep customization specification to customize the linked clones when you created the
desktop pool, new SIDs might be generated for the recomposed virtual machines. For details, see
“Recomposing Linked Clones Customized with Sysprep,” on page 86.
VMware View Administration
196 VMware, Inc.