Filed under: Security, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware
Windows Steady State Bulletproofs Your System
by Lee Mathews Jun 30th 2008
...Which is why we love Windows Steady State. It creates a cache file in which your operating system operates, meaning any harmful changes can be undone by simply emptying the cache. After downloading it's a snap to install - just a few obligatory clicks and the usual EULA mumbo-jubmo and you're set.
Our first test was pretty a pretty low-intensity workout. We surfed, bookmarked, set up a POP account and downloaded a few messages, and cluttered up the desktop with a dozen or so hilariously named folders. After issuing the old Windows - U - R we waited anxiously for the system to reboot.
There it was, just as it had been before - no trace of any of our activity. The desktop was still tidy, no favorites or emails were anywhere to be seen. So far so good, but let's try some real abuse!
Do your worst! Fire up Internet Explorer and go on a malicious web-surfing bender. Download rogue applications! Install 16 browser toolbars! Download obviously fake songs with Limwire! When you're spent, reboot and check the results. To the dismay of Trojans everywhere, not a shred of your misdeeds will remain.
When you factor in the other features Steady State offers - restricting program, Internet, and Windows feature access, the ability to hide drives, scheduled cache cleaning - it's easy to see why similar programs like DeepFreeze go for big bucks. And yet Microsoft gives it away for free!
Hey, who are we to argue? Anyone who's got a toddler (or perhaps a spiteful co-worker?) that loves to click first and ask questions later better give this app a permanent home on their computer.
Learn more about it on the Microsoft Shared Access Computing mini-site.
Hey, who are we to argue? Anyone who's got a toddler (or perhaps a spiteful co-worker?) that loves to click first and ask questions later better give this app a permanent home on their computer.
Learn more about it on the Microsoft Shared Access Computing mini-site.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JimF said 11:17AM on 6-30-2008
The only problem with Steady State is that it can cause your computer to take forever to start up. I had installed it on my PC so I could demo it for use in a computer lab, and it would take about 5 minutes after I input my Windows username/password for it to complete the logon process and start up to my desktop.
Granted, this is in a Windows domain environment, so it may be different at home, for example.
We use it in our computer lab and it works great.
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harry said 11:57AM on 6-30-2008
Seems like an interesting piece of software. I know when i was at school they used Deep Freeze, and i thought that would be cool to get. Now that you mentioned this software, and it's free, I'll defiantly have to try it out!
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Koolio said 12:07PM on 6-30-2008
How about sandboxie. So far I am happy with sandboxie.
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archpope said 11:43PM on 6-30-2008
Sandboxie doesn't work on x64 operating systems.
The Shade said 6:28PM on 9-10-2008
Sandboxie 3.01 64-bit version is still available but no longer supported due to Microsoft policy concerning third-party vendors of 64-bit software
James said 12:10PM on 6-30-2008
Does this also mean that anything you create/download during the session is permanently removed? I hope users get a stern warning before e.g. writing a thesis paper then logging off...
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James said 12:12PM on 6-30-2008
I would love to see this use the EWF (Enhanced Write Filter) kernel extension they include with Windows XP Embedded -- it lets you overlay a RAM disk on top of your Windows drive filesystem, and any changes have to be manually committed. It's thorough enough that you can run the system from read-only media if you want to. I'd be surprised if Steady State gave the same options.
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Amerist said 5:49PM on 6-30-2008
agreed. The FBWF and EWF are marvelous for this. Smart Restart is another nice piece of software that accomplishes this as well.
Lee Mathews said 12:19PM on 6-30-2008
Downloads can be saved - you just have to move them off your C: drive...My drive is partitioned, and D: has all my downloads anyways so there's no issue!
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Raymond Slieff said 2:05PM on 6-30-2008
I used this at work to create our "loaner" fleet of computers. I created a normal laptop load, and then added steady state on with the disk protection option which is what you all are referring to. I then tweaked it so all user profiles would then be created on the D: partition. When someone brings back a loaner I just wipe out the D: partition and that is that.
It is smart enough to commit the updates but it does it upon a reboot and at start up. On our older machines T30 for example it can take a while for these to happen.
Also note that this is only free with a "Genuine" version of XP, as it is assumed to be in the license cost.
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steve said 7:38AM on 7-07-2008
Clean Slate from Fortres Grand is a much better program for non-restrictive computer access with restore capabilities.
Unlike Steady State and Deep Freeze, Clean Slate can be configured to exempt certain programs, Windows updates run without any configuration at all, and it does not bog down the machine
Clean Slate is a free download at www.Fortresgrand.com
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Lee Mathews said 7:40AM on 7-07-2008
It does look nice, but it's not free. It's $59, and the demo is free.
isabella0156 said 8:29PM on 7-29-2008
Hello there! not sure if this would be the righ spot to post but I am getting desperate at this time. My 4 year old daughter was playing games in nickjr.com and somehow crash the computer. When it came back the message is "The system is currently updated and will be restarted when upgrades are done. This is on Steady State. What does it mean? does a bug got my computer or does she click on something Steady State ? I have not installed this software and this is the first time I heard of this word. Can anyone please advise what to do?
Thank you kindly
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