Microsoft Steadystate

Often I’m asked how to keep shared systems more secure. Happily there is a free solution that I have extensively tested. Oddly it works exactly as it was designed. Since it does, I have been able to get rid of most of my backup software. It does not completely replace it but it makes matters simpler.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

Above is the link that explains all the gory details. The program is similar to a product known as deep freeze. If you do any system maintainance at all this is well worth checking out. The only annoyance I found was the fact that it insisted on the drive being defragged before doing anything. In addtion I did not see an option to place the data files any where but the primary drive. My starting point was a system with about 40 gig of goodies on it, an account was automatically created for the logon screen. The data area was built in about 3 minutes. Any other over head was based upon the options I selected for my installation.

If you have multiple users and junk creeping on the system, this is a real boon. The disk can be protected and anything that is done on the system can be tossed out on the reboot. Your choice. 

Even better, let’s say some malware makes its way to the system. Just reboot and it is gone.

Revo Uninstaller

It isn’t often that I run across a program that is really flexible as a tool. Revo uninstaller is really useful! Here is the link to their web site http://www.revouninstaller.com/

The uninstall function that is built into windows has many drawbacks that have persisted for years. The uninstall often leaves a lot of garbage on the system. Microsoft is not totally responsible for this fact. So I went in search of a tool that is better than the built in tool.

When I use this tool I always run it in the Advanced mode. The reason for this is I want to make sure that all the entries are removed from the system registry. In addition I want all the files and folders removed from the system. In this mode after the Revo has used the progam’s uninstall function (if any) it will munch all the files and folders and scan the registry. Then it displays the results. Gives warning that you are poking around in the registry. This allows you to view the changes you are about to make. After 6 months of use I have not found a single error in it’s recommendations.

Keep in mind that if you have several programs that came from the same developer removing a link library or a resource common to the other programs, will cause the other programs to malfunction. Backing up the registry and creating restore points is part of the uninstaller’s routine operation. However I do not always check the other programs afterwards. Fortunately each of the programs I have stepped on have put up a complain dialog and told me which file is missing and I just put it back.

This tool has also been useful in removing Malware that registers itself as a product. It is unable to deal with Malware that renames it’s files. Not much of a drawback there. At this time I can not think of any effective method to deal with such a mess anyhow. Btw Conficker and Downaup are to such problem programs.