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Overview

The Executables/ directory contains all scripts, tools, and resources that AtlasOS deploys to the system during installation. These files are copied to C:\Windows\ and provide both user-facing utilities and internal automation.

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Directory Structure

Executables/
├── AtlasDesktop/              # User-facing Atlas folder (C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop)
│   ├── 1. Software/
│   ├── 2. Drivers/
│   ├── 3. General Configuration/
│   ├── 4. Interface Tweaks/
│   ├── 5. Windows Settings/
│   ├── 6. Advanced Configuration/
│   ├── 7. Security/
│   ├── 8. Additional Tools/
│   ├── 9. Troubleshooting/
│   ├── *.url                  # Documentation and support links
│   └── Install AtlasOS Toolbox.cmd
├── AtlasModules/              # Internal modules (C:\Windows\AtlasModules)
│   ├── Acknowledgements/
│   ├── Other/
│   ├── Packages/
│   ├── Scripts/
│   ├── Toolbox/
│   ├── Tools/
│   ├── Wallpapers/
│   ├── initPowerShell.ps1
│   └── README.md
├── *.ps1                      # Setup PowerShell scripts
├── *.cmd                      # Setup batch scripts
├── *.reg                      # Registry configuration files
├── Themes/                    # Windows theme files
├── Layout.xml                 # Start menu layout
└── ViVeTool*.zip             # Windows feature manipulation tool

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AtlasDesktop Folder

The user-facing Atlas folder is copied to C:\Windows\AtlasDesktop and provides easy access to system configuration utilities.

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1. Software

Package installation and management utilities.
  • Browser installers (Brave, Firefox, LibreWolf, Chrome)
  • Package manager setup (winget, Chocolatey)
  • Common application installers
  • Software removal tools

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2. Drivers

Driver installation and management tools.
  • GPU driver installers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)
  • Driver update utilities
  • Legacy driver support
  • Driver backup tools

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3. General Configuration

Core system configuration options.
  • Enable/Disable Location services
  • Privacy-preserving location settings
  • Minimal Search Indexing (default)
  • Full Search Indexing
  • Disable Search Indexing
  • Custom indexing configuration
  • Enable/Disable automatic Windows updates
  • Security-only updates
  • Manual update configuration
  • Hibernation settings
  • Fast Startup configuration
  • Power plan management

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4. Interface Tweaks

Visual customization and UI modifications.
  • Taskbar customization
  • Start menu configuration
  • File Explorer settings
  • Context menu tweaks
  • Wallpaper management
  • Theme application

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5. Windows Settings

Quick access to important Windows settings.
  • Privacy settings
  • Display configuration
  • Sound settings
  • Network configuration
  • Storage management

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6. Advanced Configuration

Power user tools and advanced system settings.
  • CPU affinity settings
  • Timer resolution configuration
  • Background process management
  • Resource allocation tweaks
  • Process Explorer installation
  • Registry editor shortcuts
  • Event viewer presets
  • System information tools
  • DISM repair tools
  • SFC scan utilities
  • Component cleanup
  • System diagnostics

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7. Security

Security configuration and antivirus management.
  • Enable/Disable Windows Defender
  • Real-time protection toggle
  • Exclusion management
  • Scan scheduling
  • Enable/Disable CPU mitigations (Spectre, Meltdown)
  • Core Isolation configuration
  • Memory integrity settings
  • Exploit protection
  • Firewall rules management
  • Network profile configuration
  • Port management

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8. Additional Tools

Extra utilities and helpful scripts.
  • System cleanup utilities
  • File association management
  • Startup program control
  • Disk space analyzers
  • Network diagnostics

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9. Troubleshooting

Problem-solving tools and recovery utilities.
  • Windows Update repair
  • Network reset tools
  • Graphics driver reset
  • Registry cleanup
  • System restore utilities
Direct access to AtlasOS resources:
  • Atlas Documentation.url - Official documentation
  • Atlas GitHub.url - Source code repository
  • Atlas Discord.url - Community support
  • Atlas Discussions.url - GitHub discussions
  • Atlas Website.url - Main website

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AtlasModules Folder

Internal modules and tools used by Atlas scripts and the user-facing folder.

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Scripts Directory

PowerShell modules and utility scripts.

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initPowerShell.ps1

Initializes the PowerShell environment for Atlas scripts. 
# Loaded by all Atlas PowerShell scripts
# Sets up execution environment and imports required modules

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Modules Subdirectory

PowerShell modules organized by category:
Apply registry changes to all user profiles
App removal and bloatware cleanup functions
General utility functions
Performance optimization functions
Privacy enhancement functions
Quality of life improvement functions
Complex automation scripts
Shortcut creation and management
Theme application and customization

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ScriptWrappers

Wrapper scripts that provide command-line interfaces to module functions.

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Tools Directory

Binary utilities and third-party tools.
Interactive choice utility for batch scriptsSource: Atlas-UtilitiesLicense: GPLv3Purpose: Provides user-friendly menu selection in scripts
Windows timer resolution configuration toolPurpose: Adjust system timer resolution for reduced latencyUse Case: Performance optimization for games and real-time applications
Measures actual sleep precisionPurpose: Verify timer resolution changesUse Case: Testing and validation
All binary tools are documented in AtlasModules/README.md with SHA256 hashes and source links for verification.

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Other Directory

Backup files and system state preservation.
  • winServices.reg - Original Windows service configurations
  • System restore points
  • Default configurations

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Packages Directory

Package manifests and installation definitions.

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Toolbox Directory

AtlasOS Toolbox resources and installation files.

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Wallpapers Directory

Atlas-branded wallpapers and backgrounds.

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Acknowledgements Directory

Third-party software credits and licenses.

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Setup Scripts

Scripts executed during playbook installation.

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APPLYDUHIVE.ps1

Applies registry changes to the default user hive. 
.\APPLYDUHIVE.ps1
Ensures new users get Atlas configurations automatically.

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CLEANUP.ps1

Runs Windows Disk Cleanup with Atlas-optimized settings. 
function Invoke-AtlasDiskCleanup {
    # Kill running cleanmgr instances
    Get-Process -Name cleanmgr -EA 0 | Stop-Process -Force -EA 0
    
    # Configure cleanup presets
    $baseKey = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches'
    $regValues = @{
        "Active Setup Temp Folders"             = 2  # Enabled
        "BranchCache"                           = 2  # Enabled
        "D3D Shader Cache"                      = 0  # Disabled
        "Delivery Optimization Files"           = 2  # Enabled
        "Diagnostic Data Viewer database files" = 2  # Enabled
        # ... more settings
    }
    # ...
}

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SOFTWARE.ps1

Installs user-selected software (browsers, toolbox). 
param (
    [switch]$Chrome,
    [switch]$Brave,
    [switch]$Firefox,
    [switch]$Toolbox
)

.\AtlasModules\initPowerShell.ps1

$timeouts = @("--connect-timeout", "10", "--retry", "5")
$msiArgs = "/qn /quiet /norestart ALLUSERS=1 REBOOT=ReallySuppress"

# Create temporary directory
$tempDir = Join-Path -Path $env:TEMP -ChildPath ([guid]::NewGuid().ToString())
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $tempDir -Force | Out-Null

# Download and install selected software
if ($Toolbox) {
    & curl.exe -LSs "https://github.com/Atlas-OS/atlas-toolbox/releases/latest/download/AtlasToolbox-Setup.exe" -o "$tempDir\toolbox.exe" $timeouts
    # ...
}

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SHORTCUTS.ps1

Creates desktop and Start menu shortcuts.

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TASKBARPINS.ps1

Configures default taskbar pins.

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STARTMENU.ps1

Applies custom Start menu layout from Layout.xml.

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FILEASSOC.cmd

Configures file associations and default programs.

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BACKUP.ps1

Backs up system configurations before modifications. 
.\BACKUP.ps1 -FilePath "C:\Windows\AtlasModules\Other\winServices.reg"

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SETPATHS.ps1

Corrects registry paths that may have been broken during installation.

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STOPFOLDERPROC.ps1

Stops processes that may lock the AtlasDesktop/AtlasModules folders during upgrades.

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DEFAULT.ps1 & DEFAULT.reg

Apply default Atlas settings and registry configurations.

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DISABLENOTIFS.cmd & ENABLENOTIFS.cmd

Toggle Windows notifications (disabled during installation, re-enabled after).

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Configuration Files

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Layout.xml

Defines the default Start menu layout. 
<LayoutModificationTemplate 
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification"
    xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout"
    xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout"
    Version="1">
  <!-- Start menu pin configuration -->
</LayoutModificationTemplate>

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DEFAULT.reg

Registry file with default Atlas system settings.
Applied to ensure consistent configuration across installations.

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Third-Party Tools

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ViVeTool

Enables or disables Windows feature flags. Included versions:
  • ViVeTool-v0.3.3.zip - x64 version
  • ViVeTool-v0.3.3-ARM64CLR.zip - ARM64 version
ViVeTool.exe /enable /id:12345678
ViVeTool.exe /disable /id:87654321
Use Cases:
  • Enable hidden Windows features
  • Disable experimental features
  • Test Windows insider features

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Themes Directory

Windows theme files (.theme, .deskthemepack) that are copied to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes.

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Best Practices

Script Initialization

Always source initPowerShell.ps1 at the start of custom scripts:
.\AtlasModules\initPowerShell.ps1

Error Handling

Use proper error handling in scripts:
if (!$?) { exit 1 }

Silent Execution

Support /silent flag for automated execution:
script.cmd /silent

Elevated Privileges

Check for admin rights when required:
if (-not ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal][Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole]"Administrator")) {
    Write-Error "Requires admin"
    exit 1
}

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Modifying Executables

1

Test Changes

Test script modifications in a virtual machine before deployment
2

Update Documentation

Document any changes to script functionality or parameters
3

Verify Hashes

When updating binary tools, document SHA256 hashes in AtlasModules/README.md
4

Rebuild Playbook

Run build-playbook.cmd or build-playbook.sh to package changes

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Security Considerations

  • All scripts run with elevated privileges during installation
  • Binary tools should be verified against official sources
  • Downloaded content uses HTTPS with retry and timeout protection
  • Registry modifications are backed up before changes

Playbook Structure

Understand how executables integrate with the playbook

Configuration Files

Learn how YAML files invoke these scripts

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