1

HR requested that I prepare a machine / laptop for potential candidates to create a sample app on during interviews.

I'd need the account to "clean" itself after log-off, basically (i.e. delete everything the user does on the local machine when they're done). The user would definitely NOT be a local admin, shouldn't be able to install new apps but have access to what's already installed on the system, and possibly a specific network location where the candidate could store their work for review (or in case of a system crash or something unexpected).

I'm pretty sure I've witnessed such temporary accounts in a Windows environment before, but I can't find any reliable documentation about achieving this. How would one go about creating such an account? Is this a per-machine setting, or can this be somehow defined via GPOs (the latter would be ideal, as then it would be easier to replace the machine / laptop)?

PS. I know there's such a thing as a "guest" account in Windows. But if memory serves, it doesn't clean itself. I'm also not sure on how easy it would be to set up a access to a network location for such an account.

Improve this question
5
  • Because there isn't such a thing. Create it and delete it afterwards. You can get the message that you've been logged on with a "temporary" profile if there are issues during login but it's not what you're looking for. Create a profile, let someone use it and delete it afterwards.
    – Seth
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 9:06
  • Hmm, if memory serves, the built-in "Guest" account is special exactly because it does clean itself... But maybe you want the kind of software that libraries and schools use to "freeze" the entire machine?
    – grawity_u1686
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 9:08
  • 1
    The temporary accounts you witnessed are a fallback behavior that occurs when an account’s profile is corrupted. Not something I’d recommend.
    – Daniel B
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 12:01
  • @Seth I could be wrong, but I'm almost certain I've seen this type of scheme in use at my school back when I was a student. Alas, that was quite a while ago, so my memory might indeed be fuzzy. Wouldn't it be possible to create a script that'd clean the profile and have that run on logoff? In any case, if you feel that it's impossible, feel free to make this into an official answer. If that ends up being the case, I'll definitely accept it.
    – MBender
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 12:08
  • If you run a script just have a script that deletes the whole account and creates a new one. Probably easier than just "cleaning up". Your school was likely using a different approach like freezing the whole machine and discarding changes on reboot. As mentioned by @grawity . There are various solutions for this (hardware and software based). Standard local user accounts don't offer what you're looking for.
    – Seth
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 12:30

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

Don't have enough reputation to make a comment so I'll post this as an answer.

I think you should look into Shared PC mode. This might be exactly what you're looking for.

Improve this answer
0

To create a sample app and to save things on your network, I suggest using a Standard Account (not Guest). You can make this up on the Local Machine, or, if you have a domain, make this user up in AD. Either way, make sure the user is Standard and NOT Administrator.

Try that. A person (administrator) may need to authorize certain things about the App (but we do not know this at this point)

Improve this answer
2
  • Unfortunately a -1 from me. Creating a standard account doesn't solve the requirement of having the Windows profile "clean" itself after use. In case this wasn't a clear requirement I've edited the question.
    – MBender
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 11:40
  • A guest account will clean itself, but will not provide the access you want. Set up a Standard Account (account - 1), delete it after use, and then make account - 2. That is about the only way you can do this
    – anon
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 11:53

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .