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This guide will walk you through installing AtlasOS on your Windows 11 system. The installation process takes approximately 15 minutes and uses the AME Wizard to apply the Atlas Playbook.

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System requirements

Before installing Atlas, ensure your system meets these requirements:

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Windows version

Atlas v0.5.0 supports the following Windows 11 builds:
  • Windows 11 24H2 (Build 26100)
  • Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200)
Atlas only supports these specific Windows 11 builds. Using Atlas on other versions may cause system instability or installation failure.

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Check your Windows build

To verify your Windows build:
  1. Press Win + R to open Run
  2. Type winver and press Enter
  3. Check that your OS Build matches one of the supported builds above

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Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, you must complete these requirements:
1

Toggle Windows Defender

Windows Defender must be toggled before installation. You can re-enable it after installation through the Atlas folder.
The installer will check for this requirement and prevent installation if Defender is not properly toggled.
2

Remove third-party antivirus

Uninstall any third-party antivirus software (Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc.) as they can interfere with the installation process.
3

Connect to the internet

A stable internet connection is required for the installation process as Atlas downloads necessary components.
4

Install Windows updates

Ensure all pending Windows updates are installed:
  1. Open Settings > Windows Update
  2. Install all available updates
  3. Restart your computer if required
  4. Check again to ensure no updates remain pending
5

Plug in your device

For laptops, connect to power before installation to prevent interruptions.
6

Disable UCPD (if applicable)

Universal Control Plane Driver must be disabled before installation.
Failing to meet these prerequisites will cause the installation to fail. The AME Wizard will verify all requirements before proceeding.

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Installation process

1

Download AME Wizard and Atlas Playbook

  1. Download the latest AME Wizard from amelabs.net
  2. Download the latest Atlas Playbook from atlasos.net or GitHub Releases
  3. Extract both downloads to easily accessible locations
2

Run AME Wizard

  1. Right-click AME Wizard.exe and select Run as administrator
  2. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes
  3. Wait for AME Wizard to load
3

Load the Atlas Playbook

  1. In AME Wizard, click Select Playbook or drag and drop the Atlas .apbx file
  2. AME Wizard will verify the playbook and check your system requirements
  3. Review the requirement check results - all must pass to continue
If any requirements fail, address them before proceeding. The wizard will provide specific guidance for each failed requirement.
4

Review installation information

Read the Atlas description and installation information carefully:
  • Atlas makes your computer snappier and more private with lots of usability improvements
  • Review the performance, usability, and privacy benefits
  • Understand that this is a significant system modification
5

Configure Windows Defender

Choose your Defender preference:
  • Enable Defender (recommended): Keeps Windows Defender enabled for security
  • Disable Defender: For advanced users only, reduces security
Defender can be toggled later through the Atlas folder on your desktop, so you can change this setting after installation.
6

Configure CPU mitigations

Choose your mitigation preference:
  • Default Windows Mitigations (recommended): Maintains security protections against Spectre/Meltdown
  • Disable All Mitigations: May improve performance on older CPUs but reduces security
Disabling mitigations reduces security and could harm performance on modern CPUs. Only disable if you understand the security implications.
7

Configure automatic updates

Choose your Windows Update preference:
  • Disable Automatic Windows Updates: Updates won’t install automatically (you’ll still get notifications)
  • Enable Automatic Windows Updates: Updates install automatically for better security
This setting can be changed later in the Atlas folder. Regardless of your choice, you’ll receive update notifications.
8

Configure additional options

Select optional settings:
  • Disable Hibernation: Frees up disk space by removing hibernation file
  • Maximum Performance (Disable Power Saving): Disables power-saving features for best performance
  • Disable Core Isolation: Disables VBS/Memory Integrity (reduces security but may improve performance)
All of these can be changed later through the Atlas folder.
9

Configure application options

Choose applications to modify:
  • Remove Snipping Tool App: Removes the built-in screenshot tool
  • Remove Microsoft Edge: Uninstalls Edge browser
  • Install a Browser: Optionally install Brave, LibreWolf, Firefox, or Chrome
If you choose to install a browser, you’ll select your preferred option on the next screen.
10

Install Atlas Toolbox (optional)

Optionally install the Atlas Toolbox (BETA), a graphical tool for managing Atlas settings.
11

Begin installation

  1. Review all your selections
  2. Click Install or Next to begin
  3. The installation will take approximately 15 minutes
  4. Your computer will restart automatically during the process
Do not interrupt the installation process or turn off your computer. Let the process complete automatically.
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Installation progress

During installation, Atlas will:
  • Install software and configuration folders
  • Apply Windows tweaks and optimizations
  • Configure selected options
  • Restart your computer as needed
Follow the Atlas documentation at docs.atlasos.net during installation for additional guidance.

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Post-installation

Once installation completes:
  1. Your computer will restart to the Windows desktop
  2. You’ll find an Atlas folder on your desktop
  3. All Atlas configurations and tools are accessible through this folder

Post-installation setup

Learn about the Atlas folder and important first steps

Get help

Join our Discord community for support

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Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during installation:
  • Requirements check fails: Carefully review each failed requirement and address it before retrying
  • Installation freezes: Wait at least 30 minutes before forcing a restart, as some steps take time
  • System won’t boot: Use Windows Recovery Environment to restore from a system restore point
Create a system restore point before installing Atlas to ensure you can revert if needed.
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