Sharing your computer at home or business doesn’t mean anyone with access can or should be able to make changes that alter the overall stability of your system. Some changes, when done incorrectly can destroy the whole system. To play it safe, Microsoft created a cool tool that allows you to put some restrictions on computers that are shared.

Now you can share your home computers with your little ones and give them appropriate access to perform their tasks without worrying about them making some dangerous changes that may render your computer inoperable.

 

Even if the changes are already made, they will automatically get reset once the computer is restarted. And because it’s non-IT centric, even grandma should be able to work this tool.

To see how this tool works, I’ll going to install and configure it in a simple-to-follow tutorial for you below.

 

1) Download SteadyState for your Windows XP or Vista machines here. It is required that your validate your OS before you’re allowed to download the program.

 

 

2) Install the validation program from Microsoft. Click the Download button after validating.

 

 

3) When prompted click Run

 

 

4) Accept the license terms and validate your system again.

 

 

5) Click Next then click Finish to complete the installation.

 

 

6) Open SteadyState for the first time. This is the control panel. You set restrictions, add users and configure settings from here.

 

 

7) Set computer Restrictions by clicking the option ‘Set Computer Restrictions’. Select the settings to enforce and click OK when done. You can prevent users from creating files and folders, prevent access to USB devices and more.

 

 

Protect Hard Disk by clicking the option ‘Protect the Hard Disk’. Select ‘Remove all changes at restart if don’t want changes to stay on the computer. Any change to the computer’s settings during operation is not saved after restarting the computer.

 

 

 

9) To individually restrict an account, click on the account name and enter the password. Then begin select restrictions. Set how long before the session ends. This option allows you to put time limit on the user.

 

 

10 More setting to restrict the user from access Pictures, Music, Start button, and other features on the computer.

11) Block programs you don’t want the user accessing. To block a program, select the program from the left then click the Block button. To select more programs, click the Browse button.

 

After configuring all settings, save and close out. Now you computer configured, sit back and relax, nothing can destroy your computer anymore because any changes will get wipe out after your computer restarts.