Microsoft will often recommend using MED-V, its enterprise desktop virtualization tool, to resolve IE6 compatibility issues. But get ready to pay a premium, writes Gartner.

MED-V is part of MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack), Microsoft's desktop software suite that helps enterprises manage IT environments which requires Software Assurance licensing. You also must outfit each PC with a Windows XP virtual machine.

Software Assurance will cost approximately $40 or more per PC per year and MDOP costs $7 to $10 per PC per year, plus more RAM is needed.

According to Gartner, early adopters have found that MED-V slows performance, causes security authentications and requires hardware upgrades.