Windows SteadyState can be installed only on computers running a genuine copy of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system. For more information on the Windows Genuine Advantage, see the Windows Genuine Advantage Web site.

To download installation files from the Microsoft Download Center

  1. Log on as Administrator or a member of the Administrators group on the shared computer.

  2. Go to the Microsoft Download Center.

  3. Follow the prompts on the Download Center Web site.

  4. Double-click the downloaded installation file, SteadyState_Setup.msi, to start the Windows SteadyState Installation Wizard.

  5. To continue the installation of Windows SteadyState, your copy of Windows must be verified as genuine. To validate Windows on your computer, click Validate. If you do not want to validate your copy of Windows, click Cancel to exit the Windows SteadyState Installation Wizard.

Downloading from the Microsoft Download Center will place the Windows SteadyState Installation Wizard icon on your desktop for easy reference.

To install Windows SteadyState

  1. Log on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group on the shared computer.

  2. Start SteadyState_Setup.msi from the installation disc or from the computer. To start SteadyState_Setup.exe, double-click the file icon.

  3. To install Windows SteadyState, you must accept the license terms on the Microsoft Software License Terms page. If you agree to the terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next to validate your copy of Windows.

  4. To continue the installation of Windows SteadyState, your copy of Windows must be verified as genuine. To validate Windows on your computer, click Validate. If you do not want to validate your copy of Windows, click Cancel to exit the Windows SteadyState Installation Wizard.

  5. Click Finish to complete the Windows SteadyState installation.

To uninstall Windows SteadyState

  1. Turn off Windows Disk Protection. For instructions, see Protecting the Hard Disk.

  2. Remove restrictions placed on the shared user profiles. Shared user profiles will remain on the shared computer even after Shared Computer Toolkit or Windows SteadyState has been uninstalled and will retain any restrictions applied to them. If you want to keep the restrictions in place on user profiles after Windows SteadyState is uninstalled, go on to step 3.

  3. At this point, perform one of the following tasks:

    • If you are using Windows XP, on the Start menu, click Settings, click Control Panel, and then select Add or Remove Programs from the Pick a Category list. Click Remove Programs, select Windows SteadyState, and then click Remove.
    • If you are using Windows Vista, on the Start menu, click Control Panel, and then click Uninstall a program. Select Windows SteadyState, and then click Uninstall.

See Also