Microsoft SteadyState – Managing Shared Computers
A couple of years ago, I helped out with the documentation for the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit. On June 22, 2007, Microsoft released the newest incarnation of the product, now named Windows SteadyState. For those who haven’t seen or heard of it, SteadyState is a utility that makes it easier to manage public computers, such as those found in libraries, classrooms, and Internet cafes – or even the computer you keep in your guest room that you get sick of having to troubleshoot every time your nephew visits.
One of the challenges of managing public computers is that all manner of malware, other programs, and system changes can be introduced by users. SteadyState works by offering several vital functions in an easy-to-manage interface:
- Windows Disk Protection. This feature basically creates a snapshot of the hard drive at a certain point in time (like when you finally get it configured just the way you want it). Whenever the computer restarts, Windows restores the computer to this exact state. So whenever a user is done with the computer, you can just restart the computer and it returns to the same state as before the user logged on.
- User Restrictions and Settings. This feature allows you to restrict access to programs and settings, and also to lock a user account to prevent changes.
- User Account Manager. This feature lets you create and delete user accounts, and also to export user accounts for use on other shared computers – perfect for creating identical user accounts on a group of shared computers.
- Computer Restrictions. This feature lets you restrict access to computer settings.
Right now, Windows SteadyState is only available for Windows XP and does require that you validate the copy of Windows you’re running.
I thought that Windows SteadyState would help me to avoid problems on my personal Windows XP Media Centre PC with Windows SP3 installed. But, I don’t like how it acts. Can you tell me how to uninstall it, considering that I am only a retired person & not expert in computer language? I tried to uninstall it but it wasn’t listed on my Control Panel’s “Add/Delete Programs” page. I managed to turn off the control aspect of the program, but still have this additional sign-in feature on Start Up that really bugs me. I have looked at a great many posts through ‘Google’ on SteadyState, but while many indicate it can be deleted or uninstalled, none say how to do it. Thanks.
I’m another fool that trusted Microsh*t and installed this monster. IT IS NOT UNINSTALLABLE. Incredible but true. So be very very very sure you want it.
MS still makes cr*p like this, so i’m thinking Windows 7….
Microsoft states very clearly that this is not uninstallable. It isn’t really meant for use on a main computer. More for computers that are publicly available and that you want to be able to tightly restrict and then restore after each user.
It works very well for that. Windows 7 even uses a bit of this technology for their Guest account. When you log on as a guest to a Windows 7 machine, changes you make get wiped out when you log off. A very nice feature.