Providing managed backtrace ability for virtual desktop infrastructure (vdi)

A system for capturing and restoring a virtual desktop of a client device, the system comprising:

• a storage system;
• a server connected to the storage system;
• at least one host computer system connected to the server and running the virtual desktop;
• and
• the client device capable of connecting to the virtual desktop and running a virtual desktop client;
• wherein the client device is configured to:
• make a request that a state of the virtual desktop for the client device be captured as a snapshot and saved in storage;
• send the request to the server, the server, in response to the request, taking the snapshot and adding the snapshot to the storage system when the request accords with an authorization policy;
• request that the virtual desktop for the client device be restored according to the snapshot maintained in storage;
• and
• restore the state of the virtual desktop for the client device when the client device requests restoration according to the authorization policy.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable in a client device, wherein the instructions, when executed in the client device, cause the client device to carry out a method for capturing and restoring a virtual desktop for the client device, the method comprising:

• making a request that a state of the virtual desktop for the client device be captured as a snapshot and saved in storage;
• sending the request to a server, the server, in response to the request, taking the snapshot and adding the snapshot to storage when the request accords with an authorization policy;
• requesting that the virtual desktop for the client device be restored according to the snapshot maintained in storage;
• and
• restoring the state of the virtual desktop for the client device when the client device requests restoration according to the authorization policy.