Installation FAQ

Find answers for Atlas Manager installation. For the alternative installer, use the AME Wizard FAQ.

What do I need before installing?

Atlas 0.6 requires Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200) on a supported edition, administrator access, a backup, internet access, and reliable power. A first installation requires fresh Windows. See the requirements for the full checklist.

Who is Atlas designed for?

Atlas is for people who want to choose how Windows handles background activity, privacy, and system features, and are comfortable troubleshooting those changes. Use a PC you own and can modify. Be prepared to reinstall Windows if you want to remove Atlas.

Do I still need AME Wizard?

No. Atlas Manager can download and apply the playbook itself. AME Wizard is available as an alternative.

Can I install on a virtual machine?

Yes. Use a supported Windows installation and the same preparation steps as a physical PC. A VM is useful for trying Atlas and testing ISO media, but does not establish performance or driver compatibility on your hardware.

Where is the Atlas ISO file?

Atlas does not distribute a premodified Windows ISO. You can create one with Atlas Manager from your own unmodified Microsoft ISO. ISO creation and USB writing are beta features.

How long does installation take?

Allow time for Windows installation, Windows and Store updates, and any restarts, as well as Atlas itself. The total depends on your hardware, connection, and update queue. A stage without a percentage may still be working.

What if Windows Update fails?

Read the error in Manager before retrying:

• Connection problem: Use unmetered Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Complete any network sign-in first. If Wi-Fi is missing, install your saved network driver.
• App in use: Save your work and close the named Store app, then retry. Restart if its files remain in use.
• Another installation is running: Let it finish. Do not kill Windows servicing processes.
• Restart required: Choose Restart and continue. After signing back into the same account, choose Continue updates.
• Store is missing or updates remain incomplete: Resolve the Store problem first. Atlas cannot treat an unavailable update service as a successful check.

If preparation still fails, use Export diagnostics. If Windows keeps reporting the same pending restart after a reboot, inspect Windows Update for unfinished work. Export the error instead of repeatedly restarting without a change.

Manager did not reopen after restarting

Open Atlas Manager manually and choose Continue setup if offered. Continue updates when prompted; a successful check before the restart does not replace the next check.

Use the same Windows account you started with. If Manager cannot recover the session, export diagnostics before clearing app data.

Why does Manager ask me to turn off protection?

The Windows Security step temporarily pauses protections that can block installation. Follow that step only when you are ready to install. Your choice to keep or remove Defender after installation is separate.

If you stop setup, turn the protections back on. After a successful installation, check that Windows Security matches your selected configuration.

What if I get a BitLocker error?

Keep your recovery key available before reinstalling Windows. If Windows Setup specifically asks you to suspend BitLocker, return to Windows and manage the affected drive in Control Panel → BitLocker Drive Encryption. Resume protection after the operation that required suspension. Do not disable encryption as a general fix for an unrelated Atlas error.

What was removed from Windows?

Atlas changes services, policies, apps, and interface defaults. Some changes depend on your installation choices, such as removing Edge or Snipping Tool. Use the configuration guide to find available controls, and the release’s playbook source for the exact changes. Do not assume every removal can be undone individually.

Why disconnect internet during Windows installation?

Older guides used disconnection to delay driver downloads. Manager lets you choose Windows Update drivers or manual drivers before preparation. It needs internet access to prepare Windows and install Atlas. That choice does not remove drivers Windows already installed.

What if installation fails?

1. Read the failure message. If Atlas had started applying changes, your PC may be partially modified.
2. Choose Export diagnostics in Manager before retrying, clearing app data, or reinstalling Windows.
3. Resolve the reported cause, then use Try again if offered. Keep the same playbook available for recovery.
4. If the app closed, reopen it to recover the session. Do not start AME Wizard alongside an active Manager installation.
5. If you stop here, restore the Windows Security protections you disabled, if they remain available.

Use Show diagnostic ZIP to find the exported archive. Review it before sharing: redaction removes common personal identifiers and credentials, but cannot identify every possible piece of private text. Nothing is uploaded automatically.

If Manager cannot open, run this from the folder containing the app:

.\AtlasManager.exe --export-diagnostics

Exports are saved under %LOCALAPPDATA%\AtlasOS\App\Diagnostics. Include the ZIP, your Atlas and Windows versions, what you were doing, the error, and whether it repeats. See Report issues.

How do I remove Windows.old?

Recover any files you need first. Then open Settings → System → Storage → Temporary files and remove Previous version of Windows if listed. Do not treat Windows.old as your only backup.

What should I do after installation?

Follow First setup to check protection, drivers, and Atlas configuration.

How do I uninstall AtlasOS?

Reinstall Windows from unmodified Microsoft media. Deleting Manager or the Atlas folder does not undo Atlas’s changes. Follow Reverting Atlas.