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After installing AtlasOS, you’ll find an Atlas folder on your desktop containing all the tools and scripts you need to configure and customize your system. This guide covers the important first steps and how to navigate the Atlas configuration options.

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The Atlas folder

The Atlas folder is your central hub for managing Atlas settings. It contains organized categories of configuration scripts, shortcuts to useful tools, and links to documentation.
All Atlas configurations are portable scripts that can be run at any time. You can reconfigure settings whenever needed without reinstalling Atlas.

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Configuration categories

The Atlas folder is organized into nine main categories:
Manage installed applications and install additional software.Available options:
  • Install or remove Microsoft Edge
  • Install additional software through the Atlas installer
  • Remove Python Store prompt
Even if you removed Edge during installation, you can reinstall it at any time using the scripts in this folder.
Manage device drivers and update system drivers.Available options:
  • Run driver updates
  • Enable/disable drivers from Windows Update
  • Links to GPU driver tools (NVCleanInstall, Display Driver Uninstaller)
  • Bluetooth and Apple device driver links
Check the Driver Documentation (Recommended) link for best practices on managing drivers in Atlas.
Configure core Windows features and Atlas-specific settings.Available options:
  • AI Features: Enable/disable Microsoft Copilot and Recall
  • Automatic Updates: Toggle automatic Windows updates
  • Background Apps: Control background app permissions
  • CPU Idle: Configure CPU idle states for performance
  • Delivery Optimization: Toggle Windows Update P2P delivery
  • FSO and Game Bar: Enable/disable Game Bar and Full Screen Optimizations
  • File Sharing: Configure network file sharing options
And many more configuration options for fine-tuning your system.
Customize the Windows visual experience and interface behavior.Available options:
  • Visual Effects: Adjust animations and visual effects for performance or aesthetics
  • Verbose Status Messages: Enable detailed boot/shutdown messages
  • Recent Items: Control recent files and folders in File Explorer
These tweaks help you balance visual appeal with system performance.
Quick access to common Windows configuration panels.Available shortcuts:
  • Taskbar settings
  • Privacy settings
  • Default apps
  • Region and language
  • Date & time
  • Desktop icons
  • Windows activation
  • Default graphics settings (HAGS)
  • Colors and themes
These are convenient shortcuts to Windows’ built-in settings that Atlas doesn’t override.
Advanced system configuration for power users.Available options:
  • Services: Configure Bluetooth, printing, network discovery, SuperFetch, etc.
  • Microsoft Store: Enable or disable the Microsoft Store
  • Process Explorer: Install/uninstall Process Explorer as Task Manager replacement
  • Boot Configuration: Customize boot behavior and appearance
  • Driver Configuration: Tools for interrupt affinity, MSI mode, and GPU affinity
Advanced configuration options can affect system stability if misconfigured. Read the documentation before making changes.
Manage security features and configure protection levels.Available options:
  • Defender: Toggle Windows Defender on/off, configure Security Health tray
  • Mitigations: Enable/disable CPU security mitigations (Spectre, Meltdown protection)
  • Core Isolation (VBS): Enable/disable Virtualization-based Security
Each option includes links to documentation explaining the security implications.
The Security Documentation link provides detailed information about the pros and cons of each security option.
Links to recommended third-party tools for system monitoring and management.Recommended tools:
  • HWInfo: Comprehensive hardware information and monitoring
  • HWMonitor: Simple hardware temperature and voltage monitoring
  • Everything Search: Fast file search utility
  • Autoruns: Manage startup programs and services
These tools complement Atlas and help you monitor and optimize your system.
Tools and scripts to resolve common issues.Available options:
  • Reset services to defaults
  • Repair Windows components
  • Network troubleshooting (reset to defaults)
  • Safe Mode boot options
  • Fix MSI installer errors (2502 and 2503)
  • Telemetry components check
  • Reset this PC guide
If you experience issues after configuring Atlas, the troubleshooting folder contains tools to revert changes or diagnose problems.

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How to use configuration scripts

Most Atlas configurations are Windows batch files (.cmd) or registry files (.reg):
1

Navigate to the desired category

Open the Atlas folder on your desktop and browse to the configuration category you want to modify.
2

Read the documentation

Many categories include documentation links (.url files). Click these to understand the implications of each option before proceeding.
3

Run the script

Double-click the desired .cmd file to run it. Some scripts may require administrator privileges and will prompt for UAC confirmation.For .reg files, you’ll be asked to confirm adding the registry entries.
4

Restart if needed

Some changes require a system restart to take effect. The script will notify you if a restart is necessary.
Always read the script names carefully. Many options come in pairs (enable/disable) - make sure you’re running the correct one.

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Important first steps

After installing Atlas, we recommend completing these tasks:
1

Update your drivers

Run the Run Update Drivers.cmd script in the 2. Drivers folder to ensure all drivers are current.Visit the Driver Documentation link for guidance on GPU drivers and other specialized drivers.
2

Install essential software

Use the 1. Software folder to install any applications you need. Consider installing:
  • A web browser (if not installed during setup)
  • Microsoft Edge (if you removed it but need it for specific sites)
  • Essential applications for your workflow
3

Configure security settings

Review the 7. Security folder and ensure your security settings match your needs:
  • If you disabled Defender during installation, consider re-enabling it
  • Review mitigation settings for your CPU generation
  • Configure Core Isolation based on your security requirements
4

Explore general configuration

Browse the 3. General Configuration folder to customize Atlas to your preferences:
  • Configure automatic updates
  • Adjust power settings for your use case
  • Enable/disable features you need or don’t need
5

Customize the interface

Visit 4. Interface Tweaks and 5. Windows Settings to personalize your Windows experience:
  • Adjust visual effects for your preference
  • Configure taskbar and desktop
  • Set your default apps and colors

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Atlas desktop shortcuts

The Atlas folder also includes quick links to:
  • Atlas Website: Official AtlasOS website
  • Atlas Documentation: Comprehensive online documentation
  • Atlas Discord: Community support and discussions
  • Atlas GitHub: Source code and issue tracking
  • Atlas Discussions: Community forum
  • Install AtlasOS Toolbox: Graphical configuration tool (if not installed during setup)

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Getting help

If you need assistance with Atlas:

Documentation

Comprehensive guides and FAQs

Discord Community

Real-time support from the community

GitHub Discussions

Ask questions and share experiences

General FAQ

Common questions about Atlas

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Reverting changes

Most Atlas configurations can be reversed:
  1. Navigate to the same category where you made the change
  2. Look for the opposite script (e.g., if you ran “Disable X”, run “Enable X”)
  3. Scripts labeled “(default)” represent Atlas’s default configuration
If you want to completely reset Atlas settings, the 9. Troubleshooting folder includes scripts to reset services and components to Windows defaults.

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Next steps

Now that you’re familiar with the Atlas folder:
  • Explore each category to discover all available configurations
  • Bookmark the Atlas documentation for reference
  • Join the Discord community to learn tips from other users
  • Check GitHub for updates and new features
Atlas is designed to be flexible. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different configurations - most changes can be easily reversed if they don’t work for you.

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