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Troubleshooting Tools

Atlas includes troubleshooting tools in the Atlas folder:Location: C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. TroubleshootingAvailable tools:
  • Repair Windows Components - Fixes corrupt system files
  • Fix Errors 2502 and 2503 - Resolves installer permission issues
  • Set services to defaults - Restores Windows services configuration
  • Telemetry Components - Manages Windows telemetry settings
  • Network folder - Network troubleshooting scripts
  • Safe Mode folder - Safe Mode boot options
  • Reset this PC - Link to Windows reset instructions
All tools require administrator privileges. Right-click and select “Run as administrator” to execute.
If you’re experiencing system instability or errors:Using the built-in repair tool:
  1. Navigate to C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting
  2. Right-click “Repair Windows Components.cmd”
  3. Select “Run as administrator”
  4. Press any key to continue when prompted
  5. Wait for the process to complete (this may take 15-30 minutes)
  6. Restart your computer
What it does:
  • Runs DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - Repairs component store
  • Runs sfc /scannow - Scans and repairs system files
  • Does not revert any Atlas modifications
  • Fixes corrupted Windows components and system files
Note: This process can take significant time depending on your system’s condition. Be patient and don’t interrupt it.

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Network Issues

Network issues after Atlas installation can usually be resolved:Quick fixes:
  1. Restart your computer - Solves many network issues
  2. Restart your router - Power cycle modem and router
  3. Check physical connections - Ensure cables are properly connected
  4. Update network drivers - Download latest drivers from manufacturer
Using Atlas network reset tools:Navigate to: C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting\NetworkOption 1: Reset to Windows Defaults
  • Right-click “Reset Network to Windows Default.cmd”
  • Select “Run as administrator”
  • Reboot when prompted
  • This resets all network settings to Windows defaults
Option 2: Reset to Atlas Defaults
  • Right-click “Reset Network to Atlas Default.cmd”
  • Select “Run as administrator”
  • Reboot when prompted
  • This applies Atlas network optimizations again
If issues persist, check if network adapter drivers need updating in Device Manager.
This script completely resets network configuration to Windows default state:Actions performed:
  • Resets IP stack: netsh int ip reset
  • Resets IPv4 interface: netsh interface ipv4 reset
  • Resets IPv6 interface: netsh interface ipv6 reset
  • Resets TCP stack: netsh interface tcp reset
  • Resets Winsock catalog: netsh winsock reset
  • Removes and rescans network devices
When to use:
  • Internet connection completely broken
  • DNS resolution not working
  • Network adapter not detected
  • After trying “Reset Network to Atlas Default” without success
After running: Restart your computer for changes to take effect. You may need to reconfigure static IP addresses if you use them.
This script applies Atlas network optimizations:Actions performed:
  • Finds your primary network adapter
  • Configures adapter registry settings for performance
  • Disables features that may cause latency:
    • DMA Coalescing
    • SipsEnabled (link speed reduction)
    • ReduceSpeedOnPowerDown
    • AutoDisableGigabit
    • ApCompatMode (sets to High Performance)
When to use:
  • After resetting to Windows defaults
  • After driver updates reset network settings
  • Network performance seems degraded
  • High latency in games or applications
Note: Requires reboot to take effect. These settings optimize for performance and low latency.
Several factors can affect Wi-Fi performance:Check power settings:
  1. Open Device Manager
  2. Expand “Network adapters”
  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties
  4. Go to “Power Management” tab
  5. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
  6. Click OK and restart
Check adapter settings:
  1. Run “Reset Network to Atlas Default.cmd” in troubleshooting folder
  2. Update Wi-Fi driver from manufacturer website
  3. Check if power-saving mode is enabled (disable if needed)
Check Windows settings:
  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi
  2. Click “Manage known networks”
  3. Select your network > Properties
  4. Ensure metered connection is disabled
If issues persist, consider using “Reset Network to Windows Default.cmd” to completely reset network configuration.
If Ethernet shows connected but no internet:Basic troubleshooting:
  1. Check cable connections at both ends
  2. Try a different Ethernet cable
  3. Test on another device to rule out router issues
  4. Restart your router and modem
Windows troubleshooting:
  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Run: ipconfig /release
  3. Run: ipconfig /renew
  4. Run: ipconfig /flushdns
  5. Test connection
Atlas network reset:
  1. Navigate to C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting\Network
  2. Run “Reset Network to Windows Default.cmd” as administrator
  3. Restart computer
  4. If still broken, run “Reset Network to Atlas Default.cmd”
  5. Restart computer again
Check DNS settings:
  1. Open Network Connections (ncpa.cpl)
  2. Right-click Ethernet adapter > Properties
  3. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” > Properties
  4. Select “Obtain DNS server address automatically” or use public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4)
  5. Click OK and test

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Safe Mode

Atlas provides convenient scripts for Safe Mode access:Location: C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting\Safe ModeAvailable options:
  1. Safe Mode.cmd - Basic Safe Mode with minimal drivers
  2. Safe Mode with Networking.cmd - Safe Mode with network support
  3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt.cmd - Safe Mode with command line interface
  4. Exit Safe Mode.cmd - Return to normal Windows boot
To boot into Safe Mode:
  1. Navigate to the Safe Mode folder
  2. Right-click the desired Safe Mode script
  3. Select “Run as administrator”
  4. Your computer will restart into Safe Mode
To exit Safe Mode:
  1. Run “Exit Safe Mode.cmd” as administrator
  2. Restart your computer
  3. Windows will boot normally
Manual method (if Atlas folder inaccessible):
  1. Hold Shift while clicking Restart
  2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings
  3. Click Restart
  4. Press 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Safe Mode is useful for troubleshooting serious issues:Use Safe Mode when:
  • Windows won’t boot normally
  • System crashes immediately after login
  • Malware infection preventing normal operation
  • Driver issues causing blue screens
  • Need to uninstall problematic software
  • System restore or repair operations needed
  • Troubleshooting startup programs
What Safe Mode does:
  • Loads minimal drivers and services
  • Disables third-party startup programs
  • Uses basic video drivers
  • Provides stable environment for troubleshooting
In Safe Mode you can:
  • Run “Repair Windows Components.cmd”
  • Run “Set services to defaults.cmd”
  • Uninstall problematic drivers or software
  • Run antivirus scans
  • Access system restore
  • Repair corrupted files
If Safe Mode itself has issues:Try different Safe Mode options:
  • Use “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” instead of regular Safe Mode
  • Try “Safe Mode with Networking” if network drivers aren’t the issue
Use Windows Recovery Environment:
  1. Force shutdown your PC 3 times during boot (wait for manufacturer logo)
  2. Windows will boot into Recovery Environment
  3. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings
  4. Click Restart
  5. Press 4 for Safe Mode
If Safe Mode still fails:
  • Your system may have severe corruption
  • Consider using Windows installation media for repair
  • Boot from Windows USB and choose “Repair your computer”
  • Use Startup Repair or System Restore from recovery options
  • As last resort, use “Reset this PC” to reinstall Windows

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Performance Issues

If Atlas didn’t improve or worsened performance:Common causes and solutions:1. Driver issues:
  • Update GPU drivers from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel
  • Update chipset drivers from motherboard manufacturer
  • Update network adapter drivers
2. Power settings:
  • Check if power plan is set to High Performance
  • Navigate to Atlas folder > General Configuration > Power-saving
  • Disable power saving features if enabled
3. Background processes:
  • Check Task Manager for high CPU/disk usage
  • Disable unnecessary startup programs
  • Check if Windows Update is running in background
4. Services configuration:
  • Some disabled services might be needed for your use case
  • Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” in troubleshooting folder
  • Selectively enable services you need from Atlas folder
5. Storage issues:
  • Check disk health with CrystalDiskInfo
  • Run disk cleanup to free space
  • Defragment HDD (don’t defragment SSD)
  • Check if storage is nearly full
Unexpected high resource usage:Check Task Manager:
  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
  2. Click “More details” if in simple view
  3. Check which process is using resources
Common culprits:Windows Update:
  • May download/install updates in background
  • Let it complete or pause updates in Windows Update settings
Antivirus scanning:
  • If you enabled Defender, it may be performing initial scan
  • Wait for scan to complete
Search indexing:
  • If you re-enabled indexing, initial indexing causes high disk usage
  • Navigate to Atlas folder > General Configuration > Search Indexing
  • Consider disabling if you don’t use Windows Search
System file issues:
  • Run “Repair Windows Components.cmd” as administrator
  • Restart computer after repair completes
Driver problems:
  • Update all drivers, especially chipset and storage controller
  • Check manufacturer website for latest drivers
Gaming issues can have several causes:Anti-cheat compatibility:
  1. Navigate to Atlas folder > Security > Core Isolation
  2. Enable Core Isolation if playing games with kernel-level anti-cheat
  3. Enable CPU Mitigations if disabled
  4. Enable Windows Defender for anti-cheat compatibility
  5. Restart computer
DirectX and redistributables:
  • Atlas installs DirectX during setup, but some games need specific versions
  • Install Visual C++ Redistributables (all versions)
  • Install DirectX End-User Runtime
  • Install .NET Framework versions as needed
GPU drivers:
  • Completely uninstall GPU drivers using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
  • Atlas folder > Drivers > GPU Drivers > Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).url
  • Install latest drivers from manufacturer website
Game Bar and FSO:
  • Some games need Game Bar enabled
  • Navigate to Atlas folder > General Configuration > FSO and Game Bar
  • Enable and test performance
Services:
  • Some games require specific Windows services
  • Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” if game won’t start
  • Check game’s specific requirements

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Missing Features

Atlas may remove or break Microsoft Store:Restore Microsoft Store:
  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
  2. Run: wsreset -i
  3. Wait for the process to complete
  4. Run: Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppPackageManifest.xml"}
  5. Restart computer
If Store still doesn’t work:
  1. Run “Repair Windows Components.cmd” from troubleshooting folder
  2. Check Windows Update for pending updates
  3. Reset Store app:
    • Settings > Apps > Installed apps
    • Find Microsoft Store > Advanced options
    • Click “Reset”
Note: Some Atlas configurations intentionally remove Store components for debloating. Consider if you really need Store access.
Atlas removes OneDrive by default:Reinstall OneDrive:
  1. Check Atlas folder > File Sharing for OneDrive options
  2. Download OneDrive installer from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/download
  3. Run installer as administrator
  4. Sign in with Microsoft account
  5. Configure sync settings
If OneDrive won’t install:
  1. Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” from troubleshooting folder
  2. Restart computer
  3. Try installing OneDrive again
Alternative: Use OneDrive web interface at https://onedrive.live.com without installing client.
Atlas may disable Search Indexing for performance:Re-enable Windows Search:
  1. Navigate to C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\3. General Configuration\Search Indexing
  2. Run the script to enable search indexing
  3. Restart computer
  4. Wait for initial indexing to complete (may take time)
Alternative search methods:
  • Use Everything Search - faster file search utility
  • Use File Explorer’s basic search (slower but doesn’t need indexing)
  • Use PowerToys Run for application launching
Note: Search indexing causes disk usage and slight performance impact. Consider if you really need it enabled.
Bluetooth issues after Atlas:Check Bluetooth services:
  1. Open Services (services.msc)
  2. Find “Bluetooth Support Service”
  3. Right-click > Properties
  4. Set Startup type to “Automatic”
  5. Click “Start” if not running
  6. Click OK and restart
Check drivers:
  1. Open Device Manager
  2. Expand “Bluetooth” category
  3. Right-click Bluetooth adapter > Update driver
  4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
  5. Or download latest driver from PC manufacturer website
Use Atlas service restore:
  1. Navigate to troubleshooting folder
  2. Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” as administrator
  3. Restart computer
  4. Test Bluetooth functionality
Physical toggle:
  • Check if laptop has physical Bluetooth switch
  • Check if Fn key combination disables Bluetooth
  • Ensure airplane mode is off

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Windows Installer Errors

These errors relate to Windows TEMP folder permissions:Using Atlas fix tool:
  1. Navigate to C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop\9. Troubleshooting
  2. Right-click “Fix Errors 2502 and 2503.cmd”
  3. Select “Run as administrator”
  4. Read the information and press any key to continue
  5. Wait for the process to complete
  6. Try installing your software again
What this tool does:
  • Takes ownership of C:\Windows\Temp folder as SYSTEM
  • Resets folder permissions to Windows defaults
  • Clears temporary files
  • Fixes installer permission issues
Note: These errors are not caused by Atlas itself but can occur on any Windows system with incorrect TEMP folder permissions.
MSI installer issues can have multiple causes:Try these solutions:1. Fix TEMP permissions:
  • Run “Fix Errors 2502 and 2503.cmd” from troubleshooting folder
2. Restart Windows Installer service:
  • Open Services (services.msc)
  • Find “Windows Installer”
  • Right-click > Restart
  • Try installation again
3. Clear Windows Installer cache:
  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Run: cd %windir%\Installer
  • Run: del /f /s /q *.msi (caution: this removes cached installers)
  • Try installation again
4. Restore services:
  • Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” from troubleshooting folder
  • Restart computer
  • Try installation again
5. Run installer with logging:
  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Run: msiexec /i "path\to\installer.msi" /l*v "%temp%\install.log"
  • Check log file for specific errors

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System Stability

BSOD errors need specific troubleshooting based on error code:Common BSOD causes on Atlas:Driver issues:
  • Update all drivers (GPU, chipset, network, audio)
  • Use DDU to clean install GPU drivers
  • Check motherboard manufacturer for latest chipset drivers
CPU mitigations disabled:
  • If you disabled CPU mitigations, some systems become unstable
  • Re-enable mitigations in Atlas folder > Security > Mitigations
  • Restart computer
Core Isolation disabled:
  • Some drivers expect VBS to be available
  • Re-enable Core Isolation in Atlas folder > Security
  • Restart computer
Memory issues:
  • Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
  • Test RAM with MemTest86
  • Reseat RAM modules
Corrupted system files:
  • Run “Repair Windows Components.cmd” from troubleshooting folder
  • Run CHKDSK to check disk for errors
  • Check disk health with CrystalDiskInfo
Identify specific BSOD:
  • Note the STOP code (e.g., SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION)
  • Search for “[STOP CODE] + AtlasOS” online
  • Check Atlas GitHub issues for similar reports
Random freezes require systematic troubleshooting:Check Event Viewer:
  1. Press Win+X > Event Viewer
  2. Navigate to Windows Logs > System
  3. Look for Critical or Error events around freeze time
  4. Note any error codes or patterns
Check temperatures:
  • Use HWInfo or HWMonitor to monitor temperatures
  • Ensure CPU/GPU temps are reasonable under load
  • Check if thermal paste needs replacement
  • Verify all fans are working
Check storage:
  • Run chkdsk /f /r from Administrator Command Prompt (requires restart)
  • Use CrystalDiskInfo to check drive health
  • Look for pending sector reallocation
  • Consider drive replacement if failing
Restore services:
  • Run “Set services to defaults.cmd” from troubleshooting folder
  • Some disabled services might be needed for stability
Check for conflicts:
  • Boot into Safe Mode using Atlas Safe Mode scripts
  • If stable in Safe Mode, issue is likely third-party software/driver
  • Uninstall recently installed software
  • Update or rollback recently updated drivers
Memory test:
  • Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
  • Run MemTest86 overnight
  • Test with one RAM stick at a time
If all troubleshooting fails, reinstall Windows:Option 1: Reset this PC (keeps Atlas folder)
  1. Navigate to troubleshooting folder
  2. Open “Reset this PC (read first).url” for guidance
  3. Go to Settings > System > Recovery
  4. Click “Reset this PC”
  5. Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”
  6. Follow wizard to completion
Option 2: Clean Windows installation
  1. Create Windows installation media from Microsoft
  2. Back up important files
  3. Boot from installation media
  4. Follow clean install process
  5. Reinstall AtlasOS if desired
Option 3: Restore from backup
  • If you created a system backup before Atlas, restore from it
  • Use Windows built-in restore or third-party backup software
After reinstall:
  • Install all Windows Updates before installing Atlas
  • Update all drivers from manufacturer websites
  • Install Atlas again with recommended settings
  • Create new system backup for future recovery

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