Windows SteadyState for Vista and XP

Microsoft has made available for download the Windows SteadyState for the 32-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. 

SteadyState is a Windows management tool designed for scenarios in which access to machines is completely unrestricted. The evolution of the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP, Windows SteadyState has been designed for the specific purpose of managing shared computers, safeguarding system resourced against changes made by untrusted users, and making irrelevant unwanted software installations. 

"Windows SteadyState includes many new features and enhanced capabilities. Windows SteadyState is not simply a redesign of the Shared Computer Toolkit; we listened to you, our customers, to better understand how we could provide a solution that could really help you manage and maintain your shared computer environments", Microsoft revealed. 

SteadyState indeed comes with an overhauled installation and a new redesigned graphical user interface tailored on the Windows Aero in Vista. Still, the redesign does highlight the tasks and options of the tool streamlining access for the end users. At the same time, the Redmond company also simplified the settings associated with introducing restrictions to user accounts on a certain operating system and those related to handling updates. 

On top of the management capabilities included in SteadyState Microsoft has also integrated the Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy mechanism. The company stressed the need to ensure that Windows machines with SteadyState have access to official downloads and the updates restricted by WGA validation. On top of this, SteadyState features Windows Disk Protection which makes all changes to the platform temporary. 

"Help protect the Windows partition, which contains the Windows operating system and other programs, from being modified without administrator approval. Windows Disk Protection helps protect the Windows operating system and all files on the computer from permanent change. Any changes made by shared users when they are logged on to the computer are removed when the computer is restarted. Windows SteadyState allows you to set Windows Disk Protection to remove all changes upon restart, to remove changes at a certain date and time, or to not remove changes at all", Microsoft added.

Download:Windows SteadyState for Vista and XP

Windows + 'steady state' = science fiction?

Windows SteadyState includes many new bugs and enhanced incapabilities. Windows SteadyState is not simply a redesign of the Shared Computer Toolshit; we listened to you, our customers, to better understand how we could provide a solution that could really help you <deleted> up your shared computer environments, and anyone else you don't like", Microsoft revealed.

Sorry, couldn't help it.

The modified quote are removed by Moderator!

FTFY

Please if you want to post your own comments do so but do NOT change the original contents.

Edited June 13, 200818 yr by Reimar
removed the modified quoted text

Some more infos from Microsoft about SteadyState 2.5 and two other download Links:

Download: 

Windows SteadyState 2.5 (direct link) 

Windows SteadyState 2.5 (Validation Required)

Free Hard Drive Virtualization for Windows - SteadyState 2.5

Whether you manage computers in a school computer lab or an Internet cafe, a library, or even in your home, Windows SteadyState helps make it easy for you to keep your computers running the way you want them to, no matter who uses them.

Features Included with Windows SteadyState: 

Windows SteadyState includes the following features to help you manage your shared computers: 

- Getting Started – Provides the initial steps to help you during your first time use of Windows SteadyState. 

- Windows Disk Protection – Help protect the Windows partition, which contains the Windows operating system and other programs, from being modified without administrator approval. Windows Disk Protection helps protect the Windows operating system and all files on the computer from permanent change. Any changes made by shared users when they are logged on to the computer are removed when the computer is restarted. Windows SteadyState allows you to set Windows Disk Protection to remove all changes upon restart, to remove changes at a certain date and time, or to not remove changes at all. 

- User Restrictions and Settings – The user restrictions and settings can help to enhance and simplify the user experience. Restrict user access to programs, settings, Start menu items, and options in Windows XP. You can also lock shared user accounts to prevent changes from being retained from one session to the next. 

- User Account Manager – Create and delete user accounts. You can use Windows SteadyState to create user accounts on alternative drives that will retain user data and settings even when Windows Disk Protection is turned on. You can also import and export user settings from one computer to another—saving valuable time and resources. 

- Computer Restrictions – Control security settings, privacy settings, and more, such as preventing users from creating and storing folders in drive C and from opening Microsoft Office documents from Internet Explorer