Concerning public access Windows "PCs"

Many public networks in schools, libraries, computer labs, kiosks, internet cafes, etc. Have to regularly deal with unintentional changes to the desktop appearance, reconfigured system settings, unwanted software installations, virus infections, and so forth. But such institutions cannot dedicate limited resources for regular manual rebuilds, snap images of the machines, or otherwise troubleshoot such issues. Also, the Windows system will experience incidental system degradation, that is, inevitable degradation of performance over time. Eventually, these systems will require the occasional reinstallation of Windows from scratch.

One affordable alternative for a lot of these problems is the use of desktop lockdown software, limiting the users' Windows accounts to restrict access to many functions such as the Registry Editor, Task Manager, and Control Panel. Limiting Windows privileges makes PC management easier but would necessarily also eliminate useful Windows functionality and constrains the users' productivity.

There used to be a free solution offered by Microsoft called SteadyState (or Shared Computer Toolkit) which provided teachers, librarians, and other non-technical staff an easy data recovery solution to administer method for reconfiguring public access computers to regularly return to a baseline state. But using SteadyState was cumbersome. The system which involved many unnecessary complexities and hassles and not very appropriate for staff members who lacked the technical training or wherewithal to acquaint themselves with Group Policies, Active Directory, Windows Server Update Services, et cetra, et cetra,... Perhaps, due to the low uptake of SteadyState and the servicing headaches it involved, Microsoft discontinued offering SteadyState in 2010. So what’s the best SteadyState alternative available today?

If you’re looking for freeware that acts as replacement for Steady State by Microsoft look no further. Reboot Restore Rx is a freeware for removing unwanted changes that users may have made on public access machines. Reboot Restore Rx simply wipes the system of all the changes any user may have made during their session and returns to a clean slate of Windows. So it would be ideal if after one public user has ended the session and the next user logs on, the machines would automatically return to a baseline. That’s exactly what it does! Reboot Restore Rx simplifies PC management by automating the process of maintaining a consistent computer baseline by reverting the Pcs back to a pristine condition, discarding any software downloads, virus infections, or other changes made by the public user. Reboot Restore Rx essentially write-protects the hard drive so that any changes made by the user are discarded on restart. With Reboot Restore Rx installed users are free to attempt to hack the registry, infect the computer with malware, delete system files, etc. And the computer will still return to its predefined working state on every reboot. Since Reboot Restore Rx is a non-restrictive restore technology it doesn’t limit your public users’ Windows functionality and allows you to grant them all admin privileges.