How does vmware horizon work

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: VMware Horizon is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform that enables centralized management and delivery of virtual desktops and applications. It was first introduced by VMware in 2009 as VMware View, later rebranded to Horizon View in 2013, and then to VMware Horizon in 2014. The platform leverages VMware's vSphere hypervisor and supports features like Blast Extreme protocol for optimized display performance and instant-clone technology for rapid desktop provisioning. As of 2021, VMware Horizon held a significant market share in the VDI space, with over 200,000 customers globally using VMware's virtualization solutions.

Key Facts

VMware Horizon was first released in 2009 as VMware View
It was rebranded to Horizon View in 2013 and to VMware Horizon in 2014
The platform uses VMware's Blast Extreme protocol, introduced in 2016, for efficient display streaming
VMware Horizon supports instant-clone technology, which can provision desktops in seconds
As of 2021, VMware reported over 200,000 customers using its virtualization products including Horizon

Overview

VMware Horizon represents a significant evolution in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) technology, emerging from VMware's pioneering work in server virtualization that began with ESX Server in 2001. The platform originated as VMware View in 2009, building upon VMware's acquisition of Propero in 2007, which provided application virtualization technology. This development occurred during a period when businesses were increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional physical desktop deployments to reduce costs and improve manageability. The 2010s saw rapid VDI adoption, with VMware Horizon evolving through several major releases that added features like View Composer for linked clones (2009), support for vSphere 5.0 (2011), and integration with VMware's software-defined data center vision. The platform's history reflects broader IT trends toward cloud computing and digital workspace solutions, with VMware consistently updating Horizon to support modern work environments including remote work scenarios that became particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How It Works

VMware Horizon operates through a client-server architecture where desktop operating systems and applications run on centralized servers in data centers rather than on individual physical devices. The platform utilizes VMware's vSphere hypervisor to create and manage virtual machines that serve as virtual desktops. When users connect through Horizon Client software, their input is transmitted to the data center, where the virtual desktop processes the commands and sends back display updates. Key technologies include Blast Extreme, a display protocol optimized for varying network conditions that uses H.264 video compression; instant-clone technology that creates desktop copies from a master image in seconds; and App Volumes for real-time application delivery. The system employs connection servers to broker client connections, security servers for external access, and composer servers for managing desktop pools. Administrators can deploy persistent desktops (retaining user changes) or non-persistent desktops (resetting after each session) depending on use cases.

Why It Matters

VMware Horizon has transformed how organizations deliver computing resources by enabling secure, flexible access to corporate desktops from any device and location. This capability proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of employees shifted to remote work virtually overnight. The platform reduces hardware costs through desktop consolidation, improves security by keeping sensitive data in data centers rather than on endpoint devices, and simplifies IT management through centralized control. Industries with strict compliance requirements like healthcare and finance particularly benefit from Horizon's ability to maintain data governance while supporting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies. As digital transformation accelerates, VMware Horizon continues to evolve as part of VMware's broader digital workspace strategy, integrating with technologies like VMware Workspace ONE to provide comprehensive endpoint management alongside VDI capabilities.