Windows SteadyState
Encyclopedia
Windows SteadyState 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.
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.
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.
Third-party alternatives to Windows SteadyState such as Deep Freeze
and Returnil Virtual System
are also available.
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
tool developed by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
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
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
and Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
. A 64-bit version was never available. Windows SteadyState was incompatible with Windows 7.
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
Group Policy
Group Policy is a feature of the Microsoft Windows NT family of operating systems. Group Policy is a set of rules that control the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts. Group Policy provides the centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and...
, 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
Windows registry
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating system components as well as the applications running on the platform: the kernel, device drivers, services, SAM, user...
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.
Discontinuation and alternatives
Microsoft has discontinued SteadyState. , SteadyState is no longer available for download. Support for Windows SteadyState was available until June 30, 2011 through the Microsoft Support website.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
Microsoft TechNet
Microsoft TechNet is a Microsoft program and resource for technical information, news, and events for IT professionals. Along with a website, they also produce a monthly subscription magazine titled "TechNet Magazine"....
library.
Third-party alternatives to Windows SteadyState such as Deep Freeze
Deep Freeze (software)
Deep Freeze, by Faronics, is an application available for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and SUSE Linux operating systems which allows system administrators to protect the core operating system and configuration files on a workstation or server by restoring a computer back to its original...
and Returnil Virtual System
Returnil Virtual System
Returnil Virtual System is a sandbox application for Microsoft Windows. Its goal is to prevent malware and potentially unwanted programs from permanently infecting or modifying a system.-How it works:...
are also available.