While Linux users are well versed with the concept of the LiveCD/DVD (or the very cool PenDriveLinux variant of it described here), which allows a PC to boot an entire operating system and software in a temporary and unwritable state, those married to the Windows operating system may be unaware of this technology’s features and benefits.  There are many free Linux distributions that can be tried and tested via the LiveCD method.   Since the disk upon which the LiveCD software exists isn’t writable, the core files used to run the operating system and any installed software aren’t subject to corruption by viruses, spyware, or user error.  It’s a great way to sanitize a computer’s state, especially if it’s going to be used in an unfriendly environment.

Now, Windows users can get a similar functionality from a device by USBfever called the USB Windows Icebox.  By inserting the thumb drive looking device into one of your PC’s USB ports, it automatically freezes write access to the hard drive partitions.  The PC still functions and installed software can be used, but any files created or changed by malicious software or the user will revert back to the frozen state upon system reboot.  If desired, the user can designate an “unfrozen” folder on the hard drive into which files can be saved.

This could be a great tool for schools or public computers in which the user isn’t expected to do much more than surf the web or use static software.  And at just $18.99, it is way cheaper than some of the PC recovery alternatives.