A Windows Steady State replacement

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Microsoft have stated that Windows Steady State will not be available for download after December 31, 2010 – Windows® SteadyState™ To Be Phased Out.

If you need this functionality Microsoft have published guidelines for implementing something similar.

Download details: Creating a Steady State by Using Microsoft Technologies

Download details: Windows SteadyState Reference Spreadsheet

Download details: Group Policy Settings for Creating a Steady State

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks for updating us on this under-utilised and very useful tool, Joe.

Unfortunately, MS seems to have suggested that several downloads approaching 3GB, a commercial application and requirements of W7 Enterprise or Ultimate are needed to replace a 6.5MB download that works on all versions of XP and Vista. Granted, their method may have a few extras and greater flexibility but this looks like bloatware gone mad.

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That is too bad.

I’ll have to admit that I did not really dig into the various documents. Just hoped it would be useful.

Joe

--Joe

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Here is today’s article by Woody on the subject …
Microsoft releases SteadyState documents for Windows 7

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Looks like a bit of a hassle just to achieve the same, or similar settings to the actual steady state program.
Unfortunate that they (MS) just couldn’t make a compatible W7 alternative.

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Unfortunate that they (MS) just couldn’t make a compatible W7 alternative.

I doubt that is the reason, I suggest that they just do not want to for some reason.

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I doubt that is the reason, I suggest that they just do not want to for some reason.

My theory too – killing off XP.

In that respect, they (MS) shot themselves in the foot by allowing ‘downgrade rights’ to XP with Vista and W7; this means they must support that ‘version’ of XP until the original Vista/W7 supplied alongside it is retired, long after ther final dateline of 2014 for normal XP installations

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My theory too – killing off XP.

In that respect, they (MS) shot themselves in the foot by allowing ‘downgrade rights’ to XP with Vista and W7; this means they must support that ‘version’ of XP until the original Vista/W7 supplied alongside it is retired, long after ther final dateline of 2014 for normal XP installations

I do not believe that Microsoft has to support XP any longer than their stated support dates – XP SP-3 until April 2014.

From Downgrade Rights Details & FAQ:

“In the event the end user opts to downgrade, neither Microsoft nor the PC manufacturer is obligated to provide customer product support for systems on which such previous versions are installed.”

Here’s three posts by Ed Bott analyzing various Microsoft statements about downgrading:

How long will Microsoft support XP and Vista? | ZDNet

There’s nothing new about Windows downgrade rights | ZDNet

XP in 2020? Not even close. Read the fine print… | ZDNet

If you know of a site that states something different please post a link.

Joe

--Joe

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Check the Dell Blog link in this CNET article, Joe.

Edit:

… As a result of this change, Microsoft has decided to extend end user downgrade rights to Windows XP Professional beyond the previously planned end date and through the end of the Windows 7 lifecycle to maintain consistency of downgrade rights for the duration of Windows 7.

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Check the Dell Blog link in this CNET article, Joe.

The right to downgrade has nothing to do with support. Microsoft has not extended the support life of XP. See the last ZDNet link in my prior post & also Reminder: Windows XP end-of-sales and end-of-support deadlines.

Joe

--Joe

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So MS were happy to sell Vista and now W7 with the bait of “you can still use XP” just to boost sales of their OS’s. Ok, enough said, I think.

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