Windows Steady State

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.

Brief Description

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.

Overview

Windows® SteadyState™ is now available. (Windows SteadyState was formerly known as Microsoft® Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP.) Whether you manage computers in a school computer lab or an Internet café, 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. Windows SteadyState is easier to download, set up, use, and maintain than Shared Computer Toolkit.

Windows SteadyState runs on genuine copies of Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. And, Windows SteadyState is offered at no charge to Windows Genuine Advantage customers!

Validation Required

Before Windows SteadyState can be installed, you are required to validate that your computer is running genuine Microsoft Windows. As described in the privacy statement, Microsoft will not use the information collected during the validation process to identify or contact you. By running genuine Microsoft Windows®, you can download and install Windows SteadyState, as well as enable certain product features and obtain non-security updates and product support from Microsoft. For more information, see the Windows Genuine Advantage Web site.

SteadyState Helps Make it Easier to Manage Your Shared Computers Shared computers are commonly found in schools, Internet and gaming cafés, libraries, and community centers. It is increasingly common for owners, teachers, or non-technical personnel to manage shared computers in addition to their many other responsibilities.

Managing shared computers can be difficult, technically challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. And what’s more, without system restrictions and protections, users can inadvertently change the desktop appearance, reconfigure system settings, and introduce unwanted software, viruses, and other harmful programs. Repairing damaged shared computers can require significant time and effort.

User privacy is also an issue for shared computer environments. Shared computers often use shared user accounts that make Internet history, saved documents, and cached Web pages available to subsequent users.

Windows SteadyState provides a more effective way to help defend shared computers from changes by untrusted users and unwanted software installations. It can also help safeguard system resources.

What’s New in Windows SteadyState

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.

It’s Easier to Use

Easier to set up – Installation has been simplified and the improved Windows Disk Protection feature in Windows SteadyState does not require repartitioning.
Easier to use – The Windows SteadyState UI has been redesigned to help make common tasks easier to manage from one location.

  • With simplified user restriction settings, you can choose a High, Medium, or Low restriction level for each user account.
  • Windows SteadyState enables you to import and export user accounts from one computer to another.
  • Ongoing support efforts include a fully-revised Windows SteadyState Handbook (included in both PDF and XPS formats), updated Help content included with the download, new online demos, and the new Windows SteadyState Community Web site.
  • It’s More Secure for You and Your Users
  • Increased Protection for All Users – Windows SteadyState includes more Windows and program feature restrictions, as well as support for Windows Update.
  • Windows SteadyState also enables you to restrict user access to local programs.
  • Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) – There are significant risks to running a non-genuine copy of Windows. Only genuine Windows customers are able to receive Windows product downloads, Windows updates other than security-related updates, and special offers. Windows SteadyState requires that your copy of Windows is genuine before installation. For more information, please visit the Windows Genuine Advantage Web site.

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®.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP; Windows XP Home Edition ; Windows XP Professional Edition ; Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

You must validate the authenticity of the Microsoft Windows application installed on your computer before you can install Windows SteadyState. As described in the privacy statement, Microsoft will not use the personal information collected during the validation process to identify or contact you. If you are using the authentic version of Microsoft Windows®, you will be able to download and install Windows SteadyState. You will also be able to activate some functionalities of the product, receive non-security related updates, and benefit from Microsoft product support. For more information, go to the Windows Windows Genuine Advantage website.

Instructions

To run and install Windows SteadyState:

  • Initiate the session as an an Administrator for the shared computer or as a member of the group of Administrators.
  • Run the installation file SteadyState_Setup_LOC.exe. To start SteadyState_Setup_LOC.exe, double click on the file icon.
  • Click Validate to confirm that the Windows copy is original. You can click Cancel to exit the assistance wizard to install Windows SteadyState.
  • When you correctly finish the verification process, a page will appear with Licensing Terms for the Microsoft software.
  • If you agree with the terms, click I Accept the licensing terms, and click Next to install Windows SteadyState.
  • Click on Finalize to complete the installation of Windows SteadyState.

DOWNLOAD IT

Windows Steady State v.2.5.msi    |   Official Website |  Windows Steady State Handbook