Sharing computer with others might result having the shared computers installed with unwanted and unsecured software, or being infected by viruses or malwares when transferring files from other external devices. Maintaining or restoring back that computer to the earliest state of that computer isn’t an easy task, and probably it’ll need fresh installation for the worst situation.
That’s how you need Windows SteadyState, free software from Microsoft that is capable of controlling, monitoring and restoring back the computer to its initial state. I’m currently running it on one of my computers to test its functionality before deploying.
You might be familiar with the ‘plain looking’ screen above, if you use computer in internet cafes or libraries. The desktop is blank without any shortcuts and the start menu only contains few shortcuts to the applications that administrator has set it up.
You can get the copy of SteadyState here, available for genuine Windows XP and Vista. Before you get started, make sure that you specify what you want the shared computer going to be. This is how Windows SteadyState control panel looks like.
SteadyState offers a lot of features that you can view in this video, but this is the main feature that you’ll love having.
User profile
For each users or group of people that are going to use the shared computer, create accounts for them, where you can set rules and restriction on each account. Each account also can share similar profile. Other than that, there is an option to set to maintain the privacy, session log off and etc.
If you have multiple computers to be shared, all these users can be exported to other computers as well.
User restriction
You can hide unneeded programs or shortcuts to the files or applications that are sensitive or computer file setup from being accidentally damaged by users. These sensitive files can be locked up from being viewed and accessed by unwanted users.
Disk Protection
Monitor hard disk usage from what users add, modify, install delete and etc on the shared computer. You can turn on option to discard changes has been made on the computer which set the computer back to its initial state.
Who need this?
Schools, library and internet cafe administrators, as well as parents who’d want to restrict their computer usage for their children. It is common with everyone wanting to try out new software such as games, utilities tool without ever thinking of the source and how safe the files are. Here where Windows SteadyState fit the bill.
