1. A method, comprising: retrieving a client version identifier for an application program on a client; comparing the client version identifier for the application program with a master version identifier for a master configuration file associated with the application program, the master configuration file maintained on a server; and remotely altering an active configuration of the application program on the client while the application program is running, in which remotely altering an active configuration of the application program comprises: sending a shadow copy configuration volume to the client, and sending configuration code that directs the client to use the shadow copy configuration volume as an active configuration volume.