A server includes a processor to execute a single generic composited layered image that includes an operating system layer and an application layer. A layering engine hooks into the user log-in process to capture a user identification of the user initiating the log-in process, and compares the user identification to a list of additional application layers that are to be available to different users based on their respective user identifications. The layering engine determines if at least one additional application layer is to be available to the user based on the compare, and creates a single user-specific composited layered image by mounting the at least one additional application layer to the single generic composited layered image if the at least one additional application layer is to be available to the user.