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System Requirements

AtlasOS supports the following Windows 11 builds:
  • Windows 11 24H2 (build 26100)
  • Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200)
Your system must meet the standard Windows 11 hardware requirements. AtlasOS does not modify Windows activation or licensing.Note: AtlasOS v0.5.0 is specifically designed for Windows 11. Ensure you’re running one of the supported builds before installation.
AtlasOS v0.5.0 is designed for Windows 11 (builds 24H2 and 25H2). While previous versions supported Windows 10, the latest version focuses on Windows 11 optimization.Check the GitHub releases page for older versions that support Windows 10 22H2.
Yes, AtlasOS v0.5.0 is upgradeable from v0.4.1. The AME Wizard will detect your current Atlas installation and guide you through the upgrade process.Important: Unsupported upgrades (from versions older than v0.4.1) are not allowed and may cause system instability.

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Pre-Installation Requirements

Before running the AtlasOS Playbook, ensure the following:
  1. Disable Windows Defender temporarily - Required during installation
  2. Remove other antivirus software - Third-party antivirus must be uninstalled
  3. Install all pending Windows Updates - System must be fully updated
  4. Plug in your device - Installation requires stable power
  5. Ensure stable internet connection - Required for downloading components
  6. Disable User Account Control Parental Decisions (UCPD) - Must be disabled
The AME Wizard will verify these requirements before beginning installation.
AtlasOS installation typically takes approximately 15 minutes. The actual time may vary depending on your system’s hardware specifications and internet connection speed.During installation, Atlas will:
  • Install essential software (7-Zip, Visual C++ Runtimes, DirectX)
  • Copy configuration folders to your desktop
  • Apply privacy, performance, and usability tweaks
  • Configure Windows settings
You’ll see progress updates throughout the installation process.
Yes, creating a backup is highly recommended before installing AtlasOS. While Atlas is designed to be safe and reversible, having a backup ensures you can restore your system if needed.Recommended backup methods:
  • Create a system restore point
  • Use Windows built-in backup tools
  • Create a full system image
  • Back up important personal files
Atlas includes a “Reset this PC” option in the troubleshooting folder that can help restore Windows to defaults if needed.

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Installation Process

AME Wizard: Download from the official AME Labs website: https://amelabs.netAtlasOS Playbook: Download the latest .apbx file from the GitHub releases page: https://github.com/Atlas-OS/Atlas/releases/latestAlways download from these official sources to ensure you’re getting authentic, unmodified files.
  1. Extract AME Wizard to a folder on your computer
  2. Run AME Wizard.exe as Administrator
  3. Click “Open Playbook” and select the downloaded .apbx file
  4. Review the installation options and configure your preferences
  5. Click “Run” to begin the installation
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions
  7. Wait for the process to complete (approximately 15 minutes)
  8. Restart your computer when prompted
The Playbook is a password-protected ZIP archive with the password malte - AME Wizard handles this automatically.
During installation, you’ll be prompted to choose several options:Windows Defender:
  • Enable Defender (recommended) - Maintains system security
  • Disable Defender - For advanced users only, reduces security
CPU Mitigations:
  • Default Windows Mitigations (recommended) - Maintains security
  • Disable All Mitigations - May improve performance on older CPUs but reduces security
Windows Updates:
  • Disable Automatic Updates - You’ll get notifications but manual control
  • Enable Automatic Updates - Windows updates install automatically
Additional Options:
  • Disable Hibernation - Frees up disk space
  • Maximum Performance - Disables power saving features
  • Disable Core Isolation - Reduces security for potential performance gains
  • Remove Microsoft Edge - Uninstalls Edge browser
  • Install a Browser - Choose from Brave, Firefox, LibreWolf, or Chrome
All options can be changed later via the Atlas folder on your desktop.

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Common Installation Errors

This error occurs when Windows Defender is still active. To resolve:
  1. Open Windows Security
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection
  3. Click Manage settings
  4. Turn off Real-time protection
  5. Turn off Cloud-delivered protection
  6. Turn off Automatic sample submission
  7. Restart AME Wizard and try again
Defender will be re-enabled after installation if you selected “Enable Defender” during setup.
AtlasOS requires all Windows updates to be installed before proceeding:
  1. Open Settings > Windows Update
  2. Click Check for updates
  3. Install all available updates
  4. Restart your computer
  5. Check for updates again until none are available
  6. Retry the Atlas installation
This ensures a stable base system for Atlas modifications.
Third-party antivirus software must be completely uninstalled before installing Atlas:
  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps
  2. Find your antivirus software (Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc.)
  3. Click the three dots and select Uninstall
  4. Follow the uninstallation wizard
  5. Restart your computer
  6. Verify the antivirus is completely removed
  7. Retry the Atlas installation
Windows Defender (if enabled during installation) will provide adequate protection after Atlas is installed.
Atlas requires your device to be connected to a power source during installation:
  1. Connect your laptop to its power adapter
  2. Ensure the power cable is securely connected
  3. Verify the device is charging
  4. Retry the Atlas installation
This prevents installation interruption due to battery depletion, which could cause system instability.
Atlas needs internet connectivity to download components during installation:
  1. Check your network connection
  2. Ensure you can access websites in a browser
  3. Disable VPN if connected
  4. Try restarting your router
  5. Connect via Ethernet cable for more stable connection
  6. Retry the Atlas installation
Internet is required to download software like 7-Zip, Visual C++ Runtimes, and optional browsers.

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Post-Installation Issues

If you experience issues after installation:
  1. Restart your computer - Many changes require a reboot
  2. Check Windows Update - Install any post-installation updates
  3. Use troubleshooting tools - Located in C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting
  4. Repair Windows components - Run “Repair Windows Components.cmd” as Administrator
  5. Reset services - Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” to restore service configurations
If problems persist, you can use the “Reset this PC” option to restore Windows to default settings.
While there’s no direct “uninstall” option, you can restore Windows to its default state:Option 1: Reset This PC
  1. Open the troubleshooting folder: C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting
  2. Open “Reset this PC (read first).url” for guidance
  3. Go to Settings > System > Recovery
  4. Click Reset this PC and choose to keep or remove files
Option 2: Reinstall Windows Perform a clean Windows installation using official Microsoft media.Note: AtlasOS modifications are extensive, so a reset or reinstall is the recommended approach for complete removal.
The Atlas folder should be located at C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop. If it’s not on your desktop:
  1. Navigate to C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop in File Explorer
  2. Right-click on “AtlasDesktop”
  3. Select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)
Alternatively, you can create a desktop shortcut manually or pin it to Quick Access in File Explorer.

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Installation Verification

After installation and restart, verify Atlas is working:
  1. Check for the Atlas folder - Should be on your desktop or at C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop
  2. Check AtlasOS Toolbox - If installed, should be available in Start Menu
  3. Verify registry entries - Check HKLM\SOFTWARE\AtlasOS exists
  4. Test performance - System should feel more responsive
  5. Review applied settings - Check Windows Settings for Atlas modifications
You can also check the AME Wizard logs located in the AME Wizard installation directory for detailed installation information.
After successfully installing AtlasOS:
  1. Restart your computer - Essential for changes to take effect
  2. Install GPU drivers - Download latest drivers from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel
  3. Configure security settings - Review options in Atlas folder > Security
  4. Install your applications - Reinstall software you use regularly
  5. Configure Windows Update - Enable automatic updates if desired
  6. Test system functionality - Verify audio, network, USB devices work
  7. Create a system restore point - Backup your fresh Atlas installation
Refer to the Atlas folder on your desktop for additional configuration options.

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