Hi Mike,
#1. Saving changes remotely to multiple computers.
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Using scripts, we can switch to different mode of Windows Disk Protection (WDP) to save changes or discard changes. In the new version of SteadyState which will be released soon, we can also turn on/off WDP remotely.
Three modes of SteadyState WDP: (For more information, you can refer SteadyState Handbook)
Remove all changes at restart.
Retain changes temporarily.
Retain all changes permanently.
For more information about the API for the WDP feature, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
938335 Description of the API for the Windows Disk Protection feature in Windows SteadyState
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;938335
#2. Listing all computers on the network and allow to manage their SteadyState settings.
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Not available in SteadyState.
#3. Leaving one folder on the C drive “unfrozen”
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WDP will monitor the whole system drive, thus, we cannot configure a exception folder on C drive. However, You can save files or user profile on another partition.
#4. Will SteadyState run from a flash drive?
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It depends on the restrictions you have configured. If you have the following SteadyState Restriction enabled, programs from another location will not run. However, if your shared user is an administrator group member, the trick you mentioned may work.
[Windows Restrictions\General Restrictions\"Allow only the programs in Programs Files and Windows folder to run”]
Considering your requests, SteadyState may not be suitable for your environment. Based on the design of Steadystate, it provides administrators with an effective way to restrict user accounts, especially for a single shared computer or for a small environment of shared computers. However, when administrators want to centrally manage restrictions across many computers or users, we recommend that you set restrictions by using Group Policies. Restrictions that are implemented by using Group Policies across a large number of shared access computers on a given site, domain, or range of organizational units are more efficiently administered than the restrictions that can be implemented by using Windows SteadyState.
Best Regards,