How to run Windows XP from an image?

Question

Windows

Good afternoon!
Is it possible to boot the system like this:
- On a local computer (without a network), Windows XP
is installed - Users are configured in the system, password entry
- !!!The current state of the system is considered a reference!!!
- users can do anything with the system (they are in the Users group), but the next time you start the computer, would the reference state of the system be loaded again?
Manually saving the image via acronis true image and then restoring it is not an option

Answer 1

For the problem you describe, Windows SteadyState can be used.

Answer 2

An option came to mind - to put a virtual machine on it to make the necessary "reference" system.
As far as I remember, VMWare allows you to "save" the state of the current virtual machine and return to it if necessary.
The hypothesis requires verification, but this is perhaps the only thing that came to mind.

Answer 3

not an option, you need without virtual machines
Similar is implemented for the Guest account in Mac OS X

Answer 4

Perhaps you should look towards PXE:
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/PXE
both for the ability to boot over the network, and as the ability to reinstall the system from a reference image.

Answer 5

use sandbox software

Answer 6

Implementing an Enhanced Write Filter (EWF)