Windows SteadyState
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Windows SteadyState (formerly Shared Computer Toolkit) is a discontinued freeware tool developed by Microsoft that gives administrators enhanced options for configuring shared computers, such as hard drive protection and advanced user management. It is primarily designed for use on computers shared by many people, such as internet cafes, schools, libraries, etc.
SteadyState was available until December 31, 2010 free of charge from Microsoft for computers running Windows XP and Windows Vista. A 64-bit version was never available. Windows SteadyState was incompatible with Windows 7.
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[edit] Features
SteadyState can revert a computer to a previously stored state every time it reboots, or on administrator's request. When Windows Disk Protection (WDP) component of SteadyState is turned on, changes to the hard disk are redirected to a temporary cache. WDP offers three modes of protection:
- Discard mode: The cache is cleared upon every reboot, thus returning the system to its previous state.
- Persist mode: Changes saved in the cache remain intact across reboots. An administrator may later opt to commit these changes. Alternatively, at the specified date and time, the cache expires and its contents are cleared.
- Commit mode: Contents of the cache is written out to disk and become permanent. In addition, new changes to the system are no longer redirected to the cache.
SteadyState can also prepare user environment. User accounts can be locked or forced to log off after certain intervals. A locked account uses a temporary copy of the user's profile during the user's session. When the user logs off, the temporary profile is deleted. This ensures that any changes the user made during his session are not permanent. The user's session can also be limited to a specified duration, or logged off if idle.
SteadyState provides simple control of more than 80 restrictions covering both individual users as well as the system as a whole. Many of these settings are based on Windows' Group Policies, while others are implemented by SteadyState itself. Using SteadyState, an administrator can forbid a user from performing actions that may be undesirable for that environment. Some settings include the ability to turn off the control panel, disable registry editing tools, disable the command prompt, and stop the user from executing batch files or programs not in the windows or program folders.
Computer settings can also be applied. Since SteadyState would normally remove any Windows updates or security patches installed, SteadyState can be configured to check for and apply updates in a manner that they will not be removed upon rebooting. Administrators can also choose to make other system-wide changes, such as disabling the welcome screen, removing the shutdown dialog from the logon screen, and hiding the built-in Windows Administrator account.
The administrator can block access to specified programs on a per-user basis. SteadyState presents a list of programs found in the Program Files directory of Windows and on the common desktop. Programs from other locations can be added manually.
[edit] Discontinuation and alternatives
Microsoft has discontinued SteadyState. As of 31 December 2010[update], SteadyState is no longer available for download. Support for Windows SteadyState was available until June 30, 2011 through the Microsoft Support website.[1][2][3]
Although SteadyState is discontinued, it is still possible to prepare a shared computer using Windows 7 native features and support tools. To that effect, Microsoft has published Creating a Steady State by Using Microsoft Technologies on Microsoft TechNet library.[4]
Third-party alternatives to Windows SteadyState such as Deep Freeze and Returnil Virtual System are also available.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Windows SteadyState 2.5 - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - SEE BELOW". Microsoft Download. Microsoft Corporation. June 2, 2007. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d077a52d-93e9-4b02-bd95-9d770ccdb431&displaylang=en. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Windows SteadyState will be phased out (Revision: 2.0)". Microsoft Support. Microsoft Corporation. September 17, 2010. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2390706/en-us. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Leonhard, Woody (September 6, 2010). "Microsoft kills Windows SteadyState". Infoworld. Infoworld, Inc. http://www.infoworld.com/t/windows/microsoft-kills-windows-steadystate-380. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Creating a Steady State by Using Microsoft Technologies". Microsoft TechNet. Microsoft Corporation. September 22, 2010. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg176676%28WS.10%29.aspx. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
