Even if a PC is set up perfectly, many users want to test new software and wind up installing and uninstalling dozens of programs which leave behind overheads and unnecessary files. In addition to slowing down a computer, such software can also hide spyware and viruses. One way to try new tools without danger is a virtual machine. However, this requires a computer with a lot of system resources, and is not suitable for very heavy applications such as 3D modeling or multimedia tools.

So, set Windows up such that it can completely roll back system changes and remove all traces of temporarily installed software with just a simple reboot with the tool SteadyState. Although it adds a few seconds to the system startup time, it keeps the PC fresh and safe. It works in a similar fashion to system recovery utilities, but is considerably quicker and more flexible. It lets you choose whether to roll back to a previous state if you decide not to keep some program you're trying out.

It all happens in a few steps. After installing SteadyState, click 'Start I All Programs I Windows SteadyState'. The settings are in the menu under 'Global Computer Settings'. You also have several options with which to insulate your system. If you want to delete all changes each time your computer reboots, click 'Protect the hard disk' and activate the entry 'Remove all Changes at Restart'. Alternatively, select 'Retain Changes temporarily' to get rid of changes at a time convenient to you.



Note: SteadyState protects your system against modifications, but this applies to ANYTHING that changes when you use it. All files created, such as your backups, personal documents, and even updates to other software will be reset to the same state each time you reboot. So use an external storage medium or another partition for things that you want to preserve after rolling back. Alternatively, deactivate the program as and when you need to, so that changes and new files are not detected. Also, if you share your computer with several users, you can explore the options to regulate access rights in the program. Under the menu "Set Computer Restrictions", prevent specific users from writing data to the system drive, or block access to certain programs from specific user accounts.

Tip: If you often use your computer for Web surfing and are afraid.,of inadvertently downloading something that harms your PC, you can create a separate user account which is locked down and cannot change anything important on the computer. This way, you can protect yourself to an extent from attacks on the Internet.