A system and method for opening a file in a virtualization workspace of a host computer system. The host computer system includes a virtualization workspace including a virtualization agent and virtual software layers. The virtualization agent detects a request to open a file in the virtualization workspace. In response to detecting the request, the virtualization agent determines that the file includes embedded metadata. The virtualization agent uses the embedded metadata to identify a virtual software layer in which to open the file, activates the virtual software layer, and opens the file using an application that is included in the identified virtual software layer. The virtual software layer includes one or more applications and the embedded metadata includes a signature corresponding to one of the applications with which to open the file. The identified virtual software layer is installed on the host computer system subsequent to being identified.