I have a classroom with 20 computers which are a pain to maintain because
students sometimes uninstall/install software on them. How can I prevent
this from happening?

student3 wrote:

> I have a classroom with 20 computers which are a pain to maintain because
> students sometimes uninstall/install software on them. How can I prevent
> this from happening?

Combination of good imaging software (I like Acronis True Image),
intelligent restrictions set from the server with Group Policy, and
possibly something like Faronics' Deep Freeze.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Thank you for your response. Is there any way to restrict the students'
login so they can't install/uninstall software?

"Malke" wrote:

> student3 wrote:
>
> > I have a classroom with 20 computers which are a pain to maintain because
> > students sometimes uninstall/install software on them. How can I prevent
> > this from happening?
>
> Combination of good imaging software (I like Acronis True Image),
> intelligent restrictions set from the server with Group Policy, and
> possibly something like Faronics' Deep Freeze.
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!
>

student3 wrote:
> Thank you for your response. Is there any way to restrict the students'
> login so they can't install/uninstall software?
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> student3 wrote:
>>
>>> I have a classroom with 20 computers which are a pain to maintain because
>>> students sometimes uninstall/install software on them. How can I prevent
>>> this from happening?
>> Combination of good imaging software (I like Acronis True Image),
>> intelligent restrictions set from the server with Group Policy, and
>> possibly something like Faronics' Deep Freeze.
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP
>> Elephant Boy Computers
>> www.elephantboycomputers.com
>> Don't Panic!
>>

In addition to Malke's suggestion of Deep Freeze, Steady State would
work. Just configure it so that non-administrator changes are
discarded. Steady State is intended for schools, libraries, cyber-cafes
where you don't want people altering your systems.

Dennis

student3 wrote:
> Thank you for your response. Is there any way to restrict the
> students' login so they can't install/uninstall software?

I'd start by not making them administrators.

student3 wrote:

> Thank you for your response. Is there any way to restrict the students'
> login so they can't install/uninstall software?

Well, of course. You've left out all details about your network, but I
assume with 20 workstations you are running a server. If you aren't, then
you seriously need to consider doing this for centralized management of
users, updates, patches, etc.

If you are resistant to doing this correctly or are under budget restraints
(although you can buy a basic server running SBS for under $600), then set
up a default regular user account. Use Group Policy or Windows Steady State
to set permissions/restrictions as you wish. Image the install and apply
the image to all your workstations. If your workstations are on different
hardware, look at Acronis Enterprise products which allow imaging on
different hardware configurations.

You're going to need to do some homework and planning. If you don't have the
skills to do this - and I'm not saying this to insult you since I have no
idea of the level of your Mad Skilz - have an outside computer tech who
does setups for places like yours come in.


Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

student3 wrote:
> I have a classroom with 20 computers which are a pain to maintain because
> students sometimes uninstall/install software on them. How can I prevent
> this from happening?


1) Don't grant the students administrative privileges to the computers.

2) Monitor the students' activities while their in the classroom.

3) Consider installing a cloning utility to restore the computers to
their original condition after each cless.


--

Bruce Chambers

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