ddhr.org - Windows on shared computers

Every time I go to a meeting at work where there's a shared computer in the conference or meeting room, here's what happens:

User starts the computer and waits for it to boot.
User logs on.
Computer displays "Welcome..." for 5 minutes.
Computer displays "Setting up your desktop..." for 5 minutes.
User closes the various popups and program setup windows and starts Powerpoint.
Computer asks user to identify self.
Computer flashes a variety of useless, obtrusive features of Windows software.

This is dumb. And it feels like one of those things Microsoft should've worked out by this point. The only thing people want on a shared computer is simple, quick access to the features they need right away -- basic file management and office software. Why isn't there an option on the login screen called "Quick Start" or something?

Comments

Rich

Sep 19, 2013

I hate this too. It doesn't happen (mostly) where I work, because it's part of my job to make sure it doesn't. The amount of work it takes to turn all that crap off is absurdly high, and the knowledge of how to do it borders on esoteric. But that's job security, right? :)