Components and features removed or disabled from Atlas
Atlas turns off many unnecessary Windows components and features for optimal performance, usability, and privacy; for some features or components, enabling them again requires manual tweaking. We have compiled a list of most of Atlas's changes on this page.
To see the exact changes made, refer to the Atlas source code.
What's permanently deleted?
These components require a Windows reinstall to get back.
- Smart App Control
- Once it's disabled in Windows, you can't reinstall it
- Disabled as it sends lots of data to Microsoft
- Requires optional diagnostic data in Windows
- Causes unusable slowdowns if Defender is disabled
What's disabled?
These components require manual tweaking to re-enable and are not tested.
- Telemetry
- Atlas has the option to toggle telemetry components for troubleshooting
- The underlying policies turning off various telemetry have no options in the Atlas folder. This includes Windows Error Reporting, CEIP, and more
- Various syncing using a Microsoft account
- General advertisements and Windows tips
- Uncommonly used context menus
- Activity history
Applications uninstalled by default
These can be reinstalled after installation, but are removed by default.
- Internet Explorer
Only on Windows 10, can be re-enabled as an optional feature - OneDrive
If it's set up, it's not removed. This is to prevent data loss - Microsoft Edge
Optional - the user has a choice to keep or remove it
Edge can be reinstalled using the1. Software\Remove Edge.cmdscript - Steps Recorder
Deprecated - can be re-enabled as an optional feature - Legacy Windows Media Player
Replaced by modern player - can be re-enabled as an optional feature - Maths Recognizer
Only on stock Windows 10 by default, can be enabled as an optional feature
Microsoft Store Apps
You can reinstall all of the below using the Microsoft Store.
| Store Apps (Column 1) | Store Apps (Column 2) | Store Apps (Column 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Teams | Clipchamp | Disney+ |
| Cortana (deprecated) | Xbox Console Companion (deprecated) | Mail and Calendar |
| Tips (deprecated) | Films & TV | Microsoft Family Safety |
| Dev Home | Microsoft Weather | Microsoft News |
| Get Help | 3D Viewer | Microsoft Office Hub |
| Microsoft Sticky Notes | Microsoft OneNote | People |
| Skype | Microsoft To Do | Windows Alarms & Clock |
| Feedback Hub | Windows Maps | Voice Recorder |
| Phone Link | Snipping Tool (optional) | Snip & Sketch (optional) |
Having a problem?
If something isn't working, search the documentation for a script or configuration file to fix the particular feature or service. Atlas allows you to toggle many options inside the Atlas configuration folder.