How Atlas works
Unlike custom Windows ISOs, Atlas uses the AME Wizard Playbook system to modify your existing Windows installation. This approach offers several advantages:- Transparency: All modifications are auditable through open-source code
- Safety: No need to download potentially malicious custom ISOs
- Flexibility: Apply changes to your current Windows installation without reinstalling
- Reversibility: Most changes can be toggled back through the Atlas folder
The AME Wizard Playbook system
AME Wizard is controlled by Playbooks, a customizable script-like system that can perform various tasks. Playbooks are essentially renamed.zip archives (password: malte) that primarily consist of plain text files, making them easy to audit for security.
The few binaries included in the Playbook are open source in the Atlas utilities repository, with hashes listed for verification. While AME Wizard’s GUI is not open source, its entire backend called TrustedUninstaller is open source under MIT license.
The Atlas Playbook is open source under the GPLv3 license, ensuring complete transparency of all modifications made to your system.
Why choose Atlas?
Performance
Atlas strikes a balance between performance and compatibility by implementing numerous meaningful changes to improve Windows performance and responsiveness without breaking essential features.Atlas will not do tweaks for a placebo effect or marginal gains, making Atlas more stable and compatible than other Windows modifications.
- Removing unnecessary background processes and telemetry
- Optionally disabling power-saving features for maximum performance
- Optimizing system services for lower latency
- Streamlining the Windows interface
Privacy
Atlas removes the majority of telemetry embedded within Windows and implements numerous group policies to minimize data collection. This includes:- Eliminating most of Microsoft’s tracking services
- Removing pre-installed bloatware and unnecessary apps
- Disabling advertising throughout Windows
- Configuring privacy-focused default settings
Security
Most Windows modifications remove key security features that users need to maintain a secure system. Atlas takes a different approach by allowing you to customize your security at your own risk while informing you about each option’s pros and cons. Optional security features include:- Windows Defender and SmartScreen
- Windows Update with toggleable automatic updates
- CPU mitigations (Spectre, Meltdown protection)
- User Account Control (UAC)
- Core isolation features (VBS/Memory Integrity)
Usability
Atlas applies many modifications and default settings to make Windows easier to use:- Removing commonly unneeded applications (which remain reinstallable)
- Configuring interface elements for better user experience
- Disabling intrusive Windows advertisements
- Fixing general Windows annoyances
- Providing easy-to-use configuration scripts
Legal compliance
Atlas is fully compliant with Microsoft’s terms of service:No ISO redistribution
Atlas doesn’t redistribute modified Windows ISOs, complying with Microsoft Windows Usage Terms
No activation tampering
Atlas does not alter Windows activation in any way
Open source and transparent
Transparency is a core principle of AtlasOS:- All source code is publicly available on GitHub
- Community contributions are welcome and encouraged
- All modifications can be audited before installation
- Regular updates based on community feedback
You can view the complete source code, suggest improvements, and contribute to Atlas development on our GitHub repository.
Next steps
Installation guide
Ready to install Atlas? Follow our step-by-step installation guide
Join the community
Get help and connect with other Atlas users on Discord