Windows SteadyState: an easy way to manage your shared or public computers

March 2009

A number of First Line clients have invested in shared computers for their staff or for public access. Laptops are sometimes made available for shared use by employees who occasionally need one. In other offices, desktops may be found in boardrooms, break areas or as spares.

Public or shared access computers provided by charities are particularly vulnerable to problems from multiple users.

When no single person is in charge of a PC, it often gets neglected. And it's not unusual for people to use shared computers in ways they wouldn't use their own. Downloading files, applications or music, visiting dodgy websites.

Such activities can threaten the health of the shared computer and can make it unreliable, slow or difficult for other people to use. Resolving such issues can be costly.

This article provides an introduction to Windows SteadyState, a FREE Microsoft application that aims to address the problems that arise from shared computers.

What state are your shared computers in at the end of the day?

• Hard disk filled with downloaded files?
• Strange options configured?
• Programs installed that you don't want?
• System infected with viruses and spyware?
• Computer bogged down for unknown reasons?

Brutal, but effective

Windows SteadyState allows you to set up a computer just the way you want it. Any number of people can then use the machine but when it's restarted, it'll return to its original set up. So if any documents, applications or music files have been saved to it, they'll be deleted. Any changed settings will be reset and any nasty infections will be removed.

In environments where documents and other files should be saved on a central server, and there is no need for a computer to be customised, Windows SteadyState is just right. Clearly this application shouldn't be used on computers where you do need to save new files and documents.

Key benefits

• Shared computers can be configured the way they should be, and will automatically return to that state when restarted
• Lower cost of maintaining shared computers - less time spent restoring, servicing and maintaining them
• Computers are more likely to be reliable and more secure - dodgy software and malware get wiped when they are restarted
• With Windows SteadyState, computers can be configured to provide only the options and programmes that the user actually needs