Many Educational, Non-Profit, or Government organizations rely on a reboot on restore solution for locking down public computers, offering public access computer protection, and removing unwanted changes. This can ensure that machines are free of Ransomware, Malware, and other malicious trojans.
There’s a variety of different solutions out there, and for many users, it can be tough finding a solution that can fit your needs and budget. Luckily we’ve done the research to determine what the benefits and pitfalls of each restore on reboot solution are.
Reboot Restore Rx
Freeware
OS Supported: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista and XP
Support Channels: Forum, Ticket
Reboot Restore Rx is a Windows SteadyState alternative. Very much like Windows SteadyState, Reboot Restore Rx restores the machine to a previous state thus removing any unwanted changes to the machine. Much like Windows Steady State, Reboot Restore Rx is free.
While the program lacks password protection (offered in its Pro Edition), the freeware will hide the tray icon for the software from non-Admin users. Thus allowing you to prevent users from removing the program. It’s also very easy to update your Baseline with Reboot Restore Rx with it requiring a simple disabling and re-enabling of the protection to create a new Baseline.
It’s also the only freeware Restore On Reboot solution which is fully compatible with Windows 10 and it’s Feature Updates.
Reboot Restore Rx Pro
Paid Software
OS Supported: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista and XP
Support Channels: Email, Phone, Chat, Ticket
Reboot Restore Rx Pro is a much more budget-friendly restore on reboot solution in comparison to other paid alternatives. With Horizon DataSys offering the lowest price guaranteed, you’re always able to purchase the software at the lowest cost.
Not only is the price low, but the feature set is much more advanced. The program restores on reboot, but it can restore on log off, after time idle, on a schedule, or manually as well. So plenty of options to meet your needs.
There’s also a feature to help automatically update your Baseline with any Windows or Application Updates. Meaning that your updates being installed automatically; as they are installed to the Baseline itself there’s no risk of any unwanted changes being installed to the Baseline.
Toolwiz Time Freeze
Freeware
OS Supported: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista and XP (Compatibility may vary)
Support Channels: Email
Toolwiz Time Freeze is time freeze software allows users to ‘freeze’ the machine into a pre-established state that the machine restores to. When it does, it erases any changes off the machine. This is excellent for keeping the machines in constantly clean state and Time Freeze works well to accomplish this. The program is popular with home users as it’s designed more for personal usage.
The benefits are clear in that it ensures that the machine is kept clean but there are a few drawbacks to this software. Being freeware it lacks remote management. Many users also report a variety of bugs and issues with Windows 10.
Centurion SmartShield
Paid Software
OS Supported: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista and XP (Compatibility may vary)
Support Channels: Ticket, Phone, Email
Centurion SmartShield creates a virtual space where unwanted changes are wiped off the machine. Unlike Toolwiz Time Freeze, Centurion SmartShield is more widely used in Library, Government, and Educational organizations as it comes with a remote management tool which makes it easier to manage and features some additional protection against unwanted usage. You can also exclude any files from being restored.
SmartShield does also have some noted issues with Windows 10 machines, and particularly Feature Updates. Windows 10 users will want to make note of this when looking for a Windows 10 solution.
Shadow Defender
Paid Software
OS Supported: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista and XP (Compatibility may vary)
Support Channels: Email
Shadow Defender similarly to Toolwiz Time Freeze creates a virtual environment any changes made to the machine are wiped off the machine upon reboot. Much like Centurion SmartShield and Reboot Restore Rx Pro, Shadow Defender allows you to choose which files and folders are not restored. Shadow Defender comes with a ‘Shadow Mode’ which erases all changes made while the mode is active.
The biggest issue with this is that if you have any files or folders you want to keep with Shadow Defender, they are eliminated upon exiting Shadow Mode; and there’s no way to keep any changes. So there’s potential for some data loss. Many Shadow Defender users also report a confusing user interface and Windows 10 compatibility issues.
Others
There are various other restore on reboot solutions on the market that similarly ‘freeze’ a machine and make sure that any deep-rooted changes are removed off the machine. Very few of these programs lack any true support and no solution outside of Reboot Restore Rx and Reboot Restore Rx Pro are fully compatible with Windows 10. If you have any questions about how a solution compares, please feel free to contact us.
Conclusion
While there are plenty of options for a restore on reboot solution, for Windows 10 users the only viable option is Reboot Restore Rx and Reboot Restore Rx Pro. Other restores to reboot solutions lack the compatibility with Windows to make them viable options.
The freeware works well for smaller environments of 5 or fewer machines; for larger quantities of machines, you’ll want to consider the Pro Edition due to its automation and advanced feature set including password protection. A full comparison of the two programs and other Horizon DataSys products can be found HERE.
Not too sure? There’s 14-day trials available on our website; with 30 and 90 day extensions available. If you have any questions about our products or which product will best fit your needs you can always email us at sales@horizondatasys.com, chatting with us, or calling 1-800-496-0148 option 1.
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