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Most sites run a PC reservation system and a separate cleanup tool such as Deep Freeze, Reboot Restore Rx or CleanSlate. Carrel does both jobs.
Carrel and the usual setup
| Carrel | Typical reservation system | Cleanup tool (Deep Freeze, Reboot Restore Rx, CleanSlate) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clears each user’s files and browsing | At every sign-out | Needs a separate tool | At restart or sign-out, depending on the tool |
| Restart needed between users | No | Depends on the cleanup tool | Usually |
| Software updates | Normal Windows updates | Normal Windows updates | Turn protection off, update, turn it back on |
| Library card or student ID sign-in | Yes, over SIP2 | Yes | No |
| Time limits and extensions | Yes | Yes | No |
| Reservations and waitlists | Yes, from a phone | Usually | No |
| Move reservations to another PC | Yes, with warnings first | Varies | No |
| Guest pass receipts | Your logo, text and barcode format | Varies | No |
| Class and event bookings with a shared pass | Yes | Varies | No |
| Keeps running offline | Yes | Varies | Not applicable |
| Server to host | None | Often on-site | None |
| Computers it runs on | Windows today; Mac, ChromeOS and Linux coming | Varies | Varies |
Based on public product pages and library mailing lists, October 2026. Products change, so check with each vendor.
Do I still need Deep Freeze, Reboot Restore Rx or CleanSlate?
Not to protect people’s privacy between sessions: Carrel clears each person’s documents, downloads, browser data and recent files when they sign out, and finishes the job after a power cut or crash. With the public Windows account set up as a standard user, as we recommend, people can’t change the system itself.
Some sites also use these tools to undo system-wide changes or as a second layer of protection. You don’t need them to give every user a clean PC.
Carrel runs on Windows PCs today. Agents for Mac, ChromeOS and Linux are coming next.
Switching to Carrel
Carrel installs with one MSI and connects to the same SIP2 server your current system uses, so you can try it on a few PCs before you switch over.