Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP

[Inigo]

More and more public computers have files and other shared resources, we can actually find this type of machine in internet cafes, schools, libraries or media centers and many other places where the Post Office's computer not a priority either. That is why in most cases were unsuitable people involved in the configuration of computers and shared files accessed by users who have free access to the system and can change the desktop appearance, reconfigure system settings, and introduce spyware, viruses and other malicious programs. Repair of damaged shared computers represents a significant cost in terms of time and effort. To overcome this problem, Microsoft has developed a tool, Shared Computer Toolkit, which will allow ease of administration and control of shared posts. Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP provides a method for simple and efficient protection of your shared computers against unauthorized users and malicious software. It prevents unauthorized users from accessing system resources, and improves and simplifies the user experience.

[Anirvinya]

Before attempting to install the Shared Computer Toolkit, you must check whether the system can accommodate the tool. Here are the minimum system requirements for installation:

• Operating Systems Supported: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
• Windows Genuine Advantage validation is required to install and use the tools of the Shared Computer Toolkit.
• User Profile Hive Cleanup Service is installed and running. This service ensures complete discharge profiles at the closing session, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the Shared Computer Toolkit.
• The NTFS file system must be in place.

[Kanakpriya]

To begin with we will download the installation file named Shared_Computer_Toolkit from the Microsoft Site. You will need to validate your Windows through WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) in order to download it.

1. Once the installation file is downloaded, launch the installation by clicking the msi file.
2. If a window will appears, it means you have not downloaded the utility UPH Clean, which is mandatory in order to continue installing the Shared Computer Toolkit.
3. If a window appears, it means that your Windows XP is not validated by the WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage). To validate your Windows click "Validate Windows Now" (internet access is necessary to perform validation WGA).
4. Then read the license agreement and the conditions thereof are right for you then click "I accept the terms of the contract" to continue the installation.
5. You can then register for the program to improve the Shared Computer Toolkit and participate in future beta program.
6. Setup will copy files automatically Shared Computer Toolkit in C: \ Program Files \ Shared Computer Toolkit \.

You can now click Install.

[Umberto-Micro]

The Windows Disk Protection prevents any definitive changes of program files and system files of Windows XP in the Windows partition ( usually drive C: ). When Windows Disk Protection is enabled, users can work as usual and Windows reacts normal. However, any changes to the disk are not actually in the Windows partition. They are temporarily stored in another location. When you restart the computer, the Windows Disk Protection tool restores the original state of the Windows partition, because it erases any changes made since the last reboot. It is a powerful security feature for shared computers. To properly use the Windows Disk Protection, you must follow the main condition:

• The amount of unallocated disk must be at least 1 GB, but preferably 10% of the Windows partition
• You can check your disk space with Disk Management

[Barsha]

You should also know about the Management Profile. This utility will allow us to create and configure user accounts. You can then configure user profiles that represent all the folders, files and configuration parameters defining the environment of a user who logs on under a specific user account (each user account is associate sees a profile). Several local user accounts are configured:

• A user account separately for each user (solution very heavy with a large number of machines)
• Only one user account to be used by all users (shared account)
• Categories of accounts used by users (eg in a library to create an account accessible by children and another for adults)

While the creation of user account is too small for certain types of users, you can restrict administrator accounts to allow certain users to run applications that need a little more than administrative duties.

[Quattro]

The User Restrictions tool allows you to restrict user actions. By default, users equipped with limited accounts are unable to install software or hardware but can run the programs they download or they carry on a USB stick for example, which may cause problems on the computer. Using User Restrictions tool, you can set restrictions for Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, operating system and Windows XP Start menu, then specify the software it is possible to execute. Several options can be set restrictions:

• Restriction of a local user profile
• General settings (proxy, timer, lock a profile ...)
• Locking a profile (unable to access shared folders of the profile)
• Recommended restrictions for shared accounts (restrictions start menu, internet explorer, ex ...)
• Optional restrictions (additional restrictions start menu ...)

I can conclude that the Shared Computer Toolkit is an indispensable tool for small director positions because it includes a lot of graphical tools and command-line to better manage computers that are available to many users.

[Rixwel]

Shared Computer Toolkit provides a few commands you can use command line mode to automate certain functions:

• Accessibility.wsf: Manage accessibility options
• Autodemo.wsf: You can configure a computer demonstration on how to use the Shared Computer Toolkit
• AutoLogon.wsf-set up an account so that it automatically logs
• AutoRestart.wsf: You can set account to run a program every time you start user session
• AutoRunOnce.wsf: same use as AutoRestart except that subsequent sessions are not affected
• CriticalUpdates.wsf: force the computer to download critical updates
• Diskprotect.wsf: You can set the disk protection
• Restrict.wsf: You can set restrictions on users, saving the restrictions in an XML file
• SCTReport.wsf: Creates a report that can be used by the Microsoft Technical Support
• UserProfiles.wsf: You can configure user profiles (create, delete, block)
• SleepWakePC.wsf: to maintain a computer to sleep until there is no critical update
• Welcome.wsf: delete administrator accounts on the welcome screen of Windows