Basic settings

Configure essential Windows features and system options to match your needs. These settings control core functionality like Bluetooth, Game Mode, notifications, and more.

All configuration files listed here are located in the 3. Configuration folder within the Atlas folder on your Desktop. If you can’t find the Atlas folder, see our guide to restore it.

Before you start

These settings give you control over Windows features that AtlasOS modifies by default. Before making changes:

• Understand what each feature does and why you might want to enable or disable it
• Make sure you have a reason to change the default settings
• Remember that AtlasOS defaults are optimized for performance and responsiveness

For more configuration options, check:

• Advanced Configuration - Advanced system options
• Optional Tweaks - Interface personalization
• Windows Settings - Quick shortcuts to Windows configuration

Background apps

When to use: Enable if you need apps to run in the background (e.g., Sea of Thieves requires this).

By default, AtlasOS disables background apps to improve system responsiveness and reduce resource usage. Some games and applications require background apps to function properly.

To enable background apps, run Enable Background Apps.reg in the Background Apps folder and restart your system.

Bluetooth

When to use: Enable if you need to connect Bluetooth devices like headphones, speakers, or game controllers.

Bluetooth is disabled by default in AtlasOS to reduce system overhead. If you use Bluetooth devices, you’ll need to enable this feature.

1. Run the Enable Bluetooth.cmd file in the Bluetooth folder
2. Restart your system
3. You may need to install Bluetooth drivers from your motherboard manufacturer’s website

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

When to use: Enable if you need Windows built-in troubleshooting tools for diagnosing system issues.

Windows troubleshooting is disabled by default to prevent AtlasOS tweaks from being reset. However, if you encounter issues and need Windows’ diagnostic tools, you can re-enable this feature.

To enable it, run the Enable Troubleshooting.cmd file in the Diagnostics and Troubleshooting folder and restart.

Driver updates

When to use: Switch between automatic and manual driver installation based on your preference.

When installing AtlasOS, you choose between Automatic Driver Installation (via Windows Update) or Manual Driver Installation. You can change this choice later if needed.

To switch methods:

1. Open the Driver Updates folder in the Atlas folder
2. Run the appropriate file for your desired method
3. Restart your system

Automatic: Windows Update handles all driver installations automatically. Manual: You install drivers yourself for full control over versions.

FSO and Game Bar

When to use: Enable Game Bar if you want to record gameplay, take screenshots, or monitor performance. Disable FSO if you prefer fullscreen exclusive mode.

Game Bar is a Windows feature for screen recording, screenshots, and performance monitoring. It relies on Fullscreen Optimizations (FSO), which AtlasOS enables by default.

Enable Game Bar

Game Bar is removed from AtlasOS by default. To enable it:

1. Run Enable FSO & Game Bar.reg
2. Install Game Bar from the Microsoft Store

Disable FSO (Fullscreen Exclusive Mode)

If you prefer fullscreen exclusive mode (better for some games with frame limiting), disable FSO:

1. Run Disable FSO & Game Bar.reg
2. This fixes compatibility with the “Disable fullscreen optimizations” option in game compatibility settings

Game mode

When to use: Enable if you want Windows to prioritize gaming performance, though results vary.

Game Mode is a Windows feature that prioritizes gaming performance by reducing background processes. However, research shows it may not always provide benefits and can sometimes reduce performance in certain games.

By default, Game Mode is disabled in AtlasOS. To enable it:

1. Run the Enable Game Mode.reg file in the Game Mode folder
2. Restart your system

HAGS (Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling)

When to use: Test if you want to improve GPU performance, but results vary by system.

HAGS is a Windows feature that can improve performance in GPU-intensive tasks by allowing the GPU to manage its memory more efficiently. However, it doesn’t always produce positive results on every system.

To test HAGS:

1. Check if your GPU supports it (NVIDIA 10-series or newer, AMD RX 5000 series or newer)
2. Enable it in Windows Settings System Display Graphics settings
3. Restart your system
4. Test your applications to see if performance improves

Lanman workstation (SMB)

When to use: Disable only if you don’t need file sharing and don’t use software that requires SMB (like AMD Ryzen Master).

SMB (Server Message Block) enables file sharing over a network. It’s also required by some software like AMD Ryzen Master. AtlasOS enables it by default.

To disable SMB, run the Disable Lanman Workstation.cmd file in the Lanman Workstation (SMB) folder and restart.

Network discovery

When to use: Disable if you don’t need to see or share with other computers on your network.

Network Discovery allows your computer to find and be found by other devices on your local network. AtlasOS enables it by default.

Disable network discovery

To disable network discovery, run the Disable Network Discovery Services.cmd file in the Network Discovery folder and restart.

Enable file sharing

File sharing is disabled by default. To share files with other Windows devices on your network:

1. Run the Enable File Sharing.cmd file in the File Sharing folder
2. Restart your system

Network navigation pane

Control whether the “Network” section appears in File Explorer. To enable it, run the User Network Navigation Pane choice.reg file in the Network Navigation Pane folder and restart.

Notifications

When to use: Disable if you find notifications distracting and want a cleaner experience.

Notifications are enabled by default in AtlasOS. If you prefer a distraction-free experience, you can disable them.

To disable notifications, run the Disable Notifications.cmd file in the Notifications folder and restart.

Power settings

Control power-related behavior that affects performance, responsiveness, and power consumption.

CPU idle

When to use: Disable only if you need maximum responsiveness and have adequate cooling. Not recommended for laptops or systems left running unattended.

Disabling CPU idle prevents the CPU from entering power-saving states, which reduces jitter and improves responsiveness by keeping the CPU at C-State 0. However, this increases power consumption and heat.

Warning: Only disable CPU idle if:

• You have adequate cooling
• You don’t leave your PC running unattended for long periods
• You’re not using a laptop
• You’re comfortable managing power consumption

To disable CPU idle, use the appropriate file in the CPU Idle folder.

Hibernation

When to use: Enable if you want your system to save its state to disk when shutting down (useful for quick resume).

Hibernation saves your system’s current state to disk, allowing you to resume exactly where you left off. It’s disabled by default in AtlasOS due to potential stability issues.

To enable hibernation, run the Enable Hibernation.cmd file in the Hibernation folder.

Power saving

When to use: Adjust based on your priority—performance vs. power efficiency.

Control your system’s power-saving behavior. These settings affect both the power scheme and related system behavior, impacting performance.

To modify power saving settings, use the registry files in the Power Saving folder.

Timer resolution

When to use: Increase if you use multimedia applications or frame rate limiters that benefit from precise timing.

Increasing timer resolution improves precision for applications requiring consistent pacing, such as multimedia apps and frame rate limiters. This comes at the cost of increased power consumption.

Adjust timer resolution using the files in the Timer Resolution folder. Test to see if your applications benefit.

Printing

When to use: Enable if you need to print documents.

Printing is disabled by default in AtlasOS to improve system responsiveness. Enable it if you use printers.

To enable printing, run the Enable Printing.cmd file in the Printing folder and restart.

Search indexing

When to use: Enable if you frequently search for files and want faster search results.

Search Indexing speeds up file searches by indexing your files in the background. It’s disabled by default to reduce system overhead.

To enable search indexing, run the Enable Search Indexing.cmd file in the Search Indexing folder and restart.

Start menu

When to use: Install Open-Shell if you prefer a classic Start menu experience.

Customize your Start menu experience with Open-Shell, a tool that provides a customizable classic Start menu.

Install Open-Shell

1. Run the Install Open-Shell.cmd file
2. Follow the installation prompts
3. Optionally use the Atlas Open-Shell Preset.xml file for a pre-configured setup

Learn more about Open-Shell and customize it to your preferences.

System restore

When to use: Disable only if you don’t need the ability to restore your system to a previous state and want to save disk space.

System Restore creates snapshots of your system that you can use to revert to a previous state. It’s enabled by default but uses disk space.

To disable System Restore, run Disable System Restore.reg in the System Restore folder and restart.

VPN

When to use: Disable only if you don’t use VPN software and want to reduce system overhead.

VPN support is enabled by default in AtlasOS for compatibility with VPN applications. If you don’t use VPN software, you can disable it.

To disable VPN support, run the Disable VPN support.cmd file in the VPN folder.

Visual effects

When to use: Enable if you prefer Windows’ visual animations and effects over maximum performance.

Windows includes visual effects like animated menus, tooltips, and window transitions. These enhance appearance but can slightly reduce performance. AtlasOS disables them by default for better performance.

To restore Windows visual effects, run the Default Windows Visual Effects.cmd file in the Visual Effects folder.