'Snapshoting' windows 7 so any reboot reverts to last image?

[personalt]

I have a windows server that runs a program called SageTv and acts as my VM Server. I have the server exactly the way I want it. In a perfect world I want this server to act as an appliance and never change.

I have imaged it with Acronis and can revert back if needed. But I was wondering if there is any way to have windows 7 automaticly revert back to an image on restart.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Is it a Windows Server, or is it running Windows 7?

If you are running Windows 7, look into a free program called SteadyState. I recommended this to my wife for her company to use in a computer lab. It returns the computers to a set image everytime they are rebooted, which can be scheduled. I ask the question above, because I don't know if it runs on a Windows Server OS. You mention it being a server, then you mention Windows 7.

 

[FliGi7]

Windows SteadyState is (was) a tool that can be used for this but is no longer supported by Microsoft. It is still available from here, though:

Windows SteadyState - Download

Additionally, there are other alternatives you could try as well:

5 alternatives to Windows SteadyState for Windows 7 - Instant Fundas

 

[personalt]

I am running windows 7. It acts as a VM server but it just windows 6 64 bit.

I will check out those steady state alternatives.

 

[Woody777]

There are numerous programs that will do this. Returnil will when activated return the C Partition to its former state. I have this on my computer. The paid version includes an antivirus module which can be turned off if you like, System protection, a virtual partition and more. There is a free version. Shadow Defender, similar to Returnil but it will shadow the entire computer. There is a 64 Bit version. There is no free version. This is used by a lot of amateur Virus testers. At the present time the developer seems to be not available. But the programs is still available & works fine.

Then there are some true snapshot programs. Rollback,EAZ PC Fix, Ay Recovery all will make a snapshot of the computer & restore on boot. All are Paid. The one exception is Comodo Time Machine which is Free. CTM either works great or will cause problems with the operating system. When these types of programs are installed you CANNOT Defragment using a standard Defrag tool. You must image using a sector by sector approach. A note about Steady State I don't think this program is designed to work on Windows 7

 

[DeaconFrost]

Deep Freeze is another option, if SteadyState doesn't work with Windows 7.