What is a key advantage of application virtualization?

Centralized application management stands out as a key advantage of application virtualization. This approach allows applications to be hosted on a centralized server rather than installed on individual desktops. This means that updates, patches, and configuration changes can be applied at the server level, significantly reducing the administrative burden of managing software across numerous devices. Administrators can ensure that all users have access to the latest version of an application without needing to physically touch each machine. Additionally, centralized management enhances security and compliance, as control over applications can be monitored more easily.

Other options present concepts that do not align with the benefits of application virtualization. For instance, local execution of applications on each desktop goes against the principle of virtualization, which aims to minimize local installations. Increased licensing fees would not typically be a benefit of virtualization; rather, organizations often seek to streamline costs, and virtualization can sometimes lead to more efficient licensing models. Finally, reduced network bandwidth usage is not inherently an advantage of application virtualization; in fact, depending on how applications are streamed, it can sometimes lead to increased bandwidth usage during the initial load or when multiple users access the same application concurrently.