Patent ID: 8578374

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for virtual machine management executable on one or more processors, comprising: receiving a request for a first virtual machine on an operating system of a device in response to user interaction with the device, the first virtual machine stored on the device; comparing the request for the first virtual machine to a policy, the policy comprising rules that govern access to a plurality of existing virtual machines; determining a second virtual machine of the plurality of existing virtual machines in response to comparing the request for the first virtual machine to the policy, the second virtual machine being a different version of the first virtual machine; providing access to the second virtual machine in response to comparing the request for the first virtual machine to the policy by directing the operating system to provide the second virtual machine in response to the request for the first virtual machine; wherein the second virtual machine is a particular virtual machine that comprises a set of alterations; wherein the second virtual machine being the different version of the first virtual machine comprises the first virtual machine being the particular virtual machine without the set of alterations; and wherein comparing the request for the first virtual machine to the policy comprises comparing information associated with the set of alterations to the first virtual machine.