Tool that will keep the C: drive at a stock image?

[us3rnotfound]

Is there a way to keep a Windows XP OS partition the same configuration upon each reboot? For example, if the user does anything including create/modify/delete personal docs, the stock image is booted to after a reboot, which would exclude those personal files?

 

[R0H1T]

You mean something like this ?

 

[JimKiler]

OP I think you need to learn about Windows XP security and lock down the system.

 

[Coup27]

It is possible and I am sure there is a Windows feature or PXE option which supports this, but I agree with JimKiler. I am an IT admin for a small company and it is totally impractical to operate a system in this manner. Any Windows updates or vital system changes get wiped out and it really is a road to nowhere.

If you're talking about a server/client setup you can lock all the machines down. If it is a stand alone machine, use user accounts and permissions to lock the system down.

 

[corkyg]

We use Deep Freeze by Faronics to do exactly what you describe. We have two labs for instructing seniors in Win 7 and XP plus several otgher courses. This software makes our workstations student proof. A reboot restores to our set conditions.

http://www.faronics.com/products/deep-freeze/standard/

 

[FalseChristian]

Man. I miss Windows XP Pro. With Windows 7 64-bit I have yo use DosBox to run Qbasic and Doom and I can't use my i5 2500K at 5GHz to it's full potential. Also, some Quake II expansion packs that worked in Win XP won't work in Win 7. Sorry if it seems I derailed your thread.

 

[Dstoop]

It is possible and I am sure there is a Windows feature or PXE option which supports this, but I agree with JimKiler. I am an IT admin for a small company and it is totally impractical to operate a system in this manner. Any Windows updates or vital system changes get wiped out and it really is a road to nowhere.

If you're talking about a server/client setup you can lock all the machines down. If it is a stand alone machine, use user accounts and permissions to lock the system down.

It really depends on the environment, honestly. For a business, you'd never want to Deep Freeze/Ghost your workstations. For a computer lab in a public library or a school, however, absolutely lock them down. Those updates don't matter that much because nobody should be doing anything where security is important on public machines, and all the people who load them up with spyware or fiddle with settings as a prank are ineffective when the systems reboot every morning.