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.

Configuration files are in the Atlas folder on your Desktop:

• Most settings: 3. General Configuration
• Bluetooth, Network Discovery, Printing, etc.: 6. Advanced Configuration then Services
• Driver updates: 2. Drivers then Drivers from Windows Update

If the Atlas folder is missing, follow our guide to restore the Atlas folder.

Before you start

These settings control Windows features that Atlas modifies by default. Before changing:

• Understand what each feature does
• Have a reason to change the default
• Atlas 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 the Enable Background Apps.cmd script in 3. General Configuration then Background Apps and restart your system.

Bluetooth

When to use: Disable only if you do not use Bluetooth devices like headphones, speakers, or game controllers.

AtlasOS enables Bluetooth by default. Disable it if you do not use Bluetooth devices.

1. Run Disable Bluetooth.cmd or Enable Bluetooth (default).cmd in 6. Advanced Configuration then Services then Bluetooth
2. Restart your system
3. If Bluetooth still does not work, install its driver from your motherboard or device manufacturer’s support site

Driver updates

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

During installation, you choose automatic driver installation through Windows Update or manual installation. Use these files to switch methods later.

To switch methods:

1. Open the Drivers from Windows Update folder (in 2. Drivers)
2. Run the appropriate script or registry 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.

Automatic Windows Updates

When to use: Enable if you want Windows to install system updates automatically. Disable if you prefer update notifications and manual control.

During installation, you choose how Atlas handles automatic Windows updates. To change that choice, open 3. General Configuration then Automatic Updates.

• Disable Automatic Updates (default).cmd restores the Atlas default.
• Enable Automatic Updates.cmd lets Windows install updates automatically.
• Pause Updates and Update Notifications folders provide related controls.

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.

Restore the default

FSO and Game Bar support are enabled by default. To restore the default:

1. Run the Enable FSO and Game Bar Support (default).cmd script in 3. General Configuration then FSO and Game Bar
2. The script also installs Game Bar from the Microsoft Store if needed

Disable FSO (Fullscreen Exclusive Mode)

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

1. Run the Disable FSO and Game Bar Support.cmd script in 3. General Configuration then FSO and Game Bar
2. This fixes compatibility with the “Disable fullscreen optimizations” option in game compatibility settings

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 then System then Display then 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 script in 6. Advanced Configuration then Services then Lanman Workstation (SMB) 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 script in 6. Advanced Configuration then Services then Network Discovery and restart.

Enable file sharing

AtlasOS disables file sharing by default. To share files with other Windows devices on your network:

1. Run the Enable File Sharing.cmd script in 3. General Configuration then File Sharing
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.cmd script in 3. General Configuration then File Sharing then Network Navigation Pane 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 script in 3. General Configuration then CPU Idle.

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 the current session to disk and restores it when you start Windows again. AtlasOS disables it by default because it can cause stability problems.

To enable hibernation, run the Enable Hibernation.cmd script in 3. General Configuration then Hibernation.

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 scripts in 3. General Configuration then Power-saving.

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 scripts in 3. General Configuration then Timer Resolution. Test to see if your applications benefit.

Printing

When to use: Disable only if you never print documents or use print-to-PDF workflows.

AtlasOS enables printing by default. Disable it only if you do not use printers or Windows printing features.

To disable printing, run Disable Printing.cmd in 6. Advanced Configuration then Services then Printing and restart. To restore the default, run Enable Printing (default).cmd.

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. AtlasOS uses minimal search indexing by default to reduce system overhead.

The Search Indexing folder offers three options: Minimal Search Indexing (default).cmd (Atlas default), Enable Search Indexing.cmd (full indexing), and Disable Search Indexing.cmd. Run the appropriate script in 3. General Configuration then Search Indexing 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 script in 4. Interface Tweaks then Start Menu
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 that let you return Windows to an earlier state. Atlas enables it by default, and the snapshots use disk space.

To disable System Restore, run the Disable System Restore.cmd script in 3. General Configuration then System Restore and restart.

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 script in 4. Interface Tweaks then Visual Effects (Animations).