Lockdown XP from changes?

Hello,
I usually do the same things on my PC day in and day out. Play wow, porn, pics, music, videos and the like. Not much more then that. Dont make many systemwide changes, such as settings, configs, registry.

Is there any software that can lock down the registry and system files/folders from changes to keep my XP running in tip top shape, then I can just unlock it when I want to install something, or make a change, then lock it again, so it wont be susceptible to the normal gradual slowdown and BS that comes along with having an XP install for years at a time?

If anyone knows of anything, let me know

Thanks,
Dan

there is a program that is used in libraries and universities called deepfreeze, basically it locks your computer down so whatever you install or change disappears after a reboot, works good for testing software since it's impossible for a virus implant itself into your system or registry.

login as a standard user instead of administrator?

terran2k said:

login as a standard user instead of administrator?

Click to expand...

ya, thats what i was thinking. Run Windows as a limited user and that should help cut down on some of your problems (espeically if your passwords for each account are different)

I'm going to 2nd deepfreeze, I've worked with it before, and its awesome for keeping PCs running. We had it on all the PCs in the schoolboard. It really works well. I even have a friend who goes on lots fo questionable pron sites, and he used to kill his system after a few weeks, it would almost always need a complete reinstall. So we installed deep freeze, and ever since, no problems, he can click wtv the heck he wants, and on reboot its gone.

Nick

There is software for Vista like this. It is called... UAC.

If you are running XP Pro , create an admin account with good password. Then a a limited user account (well do this even if you do not have pro )

With pro, you can make changes (I cant look right now to see what it is called) to user accessibilty features, and bascially shut off all kinds of things, from disable right clicking the desktop to accessing the internet and anything in between.

When you need to run a program with admin levels, you simply right click the file and select "run as administrator."


Works great just a bit long in the tooth way of doing things..


EDIT: Yah deepfreeze is a good thing for multiuser desktops

I have heard of deepfreeze before and have seen it used in a few appt complexes. It seems a bit cumbersome though as far as unlocking and relocking the system, (having to reboot after each change)

As for the admin/limited user thing, it is not me I am worried about, I know very much what I am doing, its 3rd party malware and what not I am worried about. Other software messing with my system, not me making changes.

If you are logged on as an admin then most malware will run as the logged in account. If you log in as a limited user then it will not install software since mostly admins can install software. If you run as a power user and then use "run as" when installing software it will help out. It gets kind of annoying though since windows and software companies like everyone to be admins on their machines.

Or just use VM's to do your surfing of the not so legit items. Then if you have an issue revert to a snapshot.

I back DeeFreeze my college lecturer had it on all his PC's in his room it's ace really does work and it's a good thing to have if you don't want a firewall or anti virus get such a thing and reboot because it won't stay as deepfreeze dosn't add the changes.