ThawSpace

ThawSpace is a virtual partition that can be used to store programs, save files, or make permanent changes. All files stored in the ThawSpace are retained after a restart, even if the computer is Frozen. A ThawSpace can be created on a drive that is configured to be Frozen or Thawed.

A ThawSpace can be set to automatically expand through the Automatically Grow option to prevent running out of space. The ThawSpace will automatically expand by 25% of its current size after reaching 25% free space or less. It will expand up to the maximum size defined in ThawSpace configuration.

The ThawSpace will expand only in Thawed state. Once the ThawSpace is expanded it will not be shrunk even when there is more than 25% of free space or when updating workstation configuration with smaller size for the given ThawSpace drive letter.

To create a single ThawSpace or multiple ThawSpaces using the Configuration Administrator, complete the following steps:

1.	Select the Drive Letter. The default letter is T:. However, it can be changed to any available letter. The next available letter is automatically used if the selected drive letter already exists on a computer when Deep Freeze is installed.

>	When a Drive Letter is selected from the drop-down and used to create a ThawSpace, it is removed from the drop-down.

>	When a ThawSpace is removed, the corresponding Drive Letter is added back to the drop-down.

>	The Drive Letter cannot be same as the Host Drive.

2.	Click Add. The Add ThawSpace dialog is shown:

3.	Enter the Size. This is the size of the ThawSpace. The maximum size is 1024 GB and the minimum size is 16 MB.

>	If the computer does not have enough free space to accommodate the selected ThawSpace size, the size of the ThawSpace is adjusted downward to ensure proper operation of the computer.

>	If you select the Size less than 16 MB, the ThawSpace is set to 16 MB.

>	If you select the Size more than 1024 GB (1 TB), the ThawSpace is set to 1024 GB (1 TB).

4.	Select the ThawSpace storage unit in MB or GB.

5.	Select the Host Drive.

>	The Host Drive is the drive where the ThawSpace is created.

>	The storage required for the ThawSpace is used from the total storage available on the Host Drive.

6.	Select Visible or Hidden from the Visibility drop-down.

>	If you select Visible, the drive will be visible in Windows Explorer.

>	If you select Hidden, the drive will not be visible in Windows Explorer.

>	However, the hidden drive can be accessed by typing the drive letter in Start > Run.

7.	Check the Automatically grow ThawSpace to a maximum checkbox and configure the maximum size of the ThawSpace.

8.	Click Add to add the ThawSpace.

Removing a ThawSpace

To remove a ThawSpace, select the ThawSpace and click Remove. The ThawSpace is removed and the drive letter is now added back to the Drive Letter drop-down. Click Remove All to remove all the ThawSpaces.

 

When a ThawSpace is removed in the Configuration Administrator, it will not take effect until the configuration is applied on the workstation. Before removing a ThawSpace, remove any profile redirections or Symbolic Links. Removing a ThawSpace will also remove the data stored in it. A ThawSpace is not protected by Deep Freeze. Deploy standard data protection options such as, Anti-Virus and backup procedures.

Example

In the above screen, a ThawSpace of 16 MB is created on the Host Drive C: and the ThawSpace is designated with the drive letter T:. The ThawSpace T: is set to Visible and can be accessed via the Windows Explorer.

It is recommended to assign Drive Letters towards the end of the alphabet (X, Y, Z) in order to avoid automatic reassignment when a removable drive is unplugged.