Things I Like, Don't Like, and Needs Improvement in Atlas-OS v0.5.0-Hotfix

[Zhurama]

My Atlas-OS Version as of this post: v0.5.0-Hotfix

First of all..... Namaste Atlas-OS Development Team {Bows Politely}

I Really like what Atlas-OS does for Windows (Even my system temps are lower and the fans are quiet again). I have looked for something better than hacking out bits and pieces of the OS for a long time.. That's never a good idea with Windows... Best to disable/hide items so it doesn't fall apart later on, or get vicariously reverted..

All this being said... There are a few things that have been annoying.

A "Basic" and an "Advanced" install mode set is most needed and desired... The latter of which ought to have a lot finer and a more detailed granular control options set to the install. I do not care to have to hunt down .cmd files to restore my options that are not included in the Atlas Toolbox or the primary in staller at present. It’s very time consuming, and your database of where things are in the files could also do with some refining and updating. (My Son gets on to me all the time concerning my habit of speaking in “Techno-babble” when I give him instructions, so I have learned at last how to make things more “Windows For Dummies” style.)

For example, I use networking and file sharing with my NAS, so Samba and network printing and the like needs to be on, as does Search Indexing for my shared drives, and also Media Streaming. BTW The search Indexing toggle in the toolbox is not working (Had to use the .cmd file), and neither is reboot to safe mode as of 0.5.0-Hotfix release. (Had to use msconfig until I found out about the “Shift Key Option”).

I also make note that some of us like... the windows sounds… and even use them to let us know what the machine is doing when we are away from it. (I do a lot of remote support, even on my laptop that is in another room.) Please include this as an “Option” whether or not to disable the sounds theme, as it kind of freaked me out until I checked the settings in the old school control panel. Windows Animations also ought to be at least a checkable item with a toggle or two in an Advanced Mode, or a slider for more granular control. I have a Ryzen 7700X and a decent RTX Video card, so animations are not a problem, but for many people, they can be/or are a problem. This setting still ought to be a granular option.

I have a number of clients who would definitely like the benefits of Atlas-OS, but are nowhere as skilled in compiling, using, and configuring Windows as I, so do please consider my suggestions as you continue to develop this wonderful and Totally Needed Project.

Be aware everyone that 3rd party antivirus, and possibly the “Windows Offender” (if you leave it on) may not like the Atlas Toolbox and one or more of the .ps1 “Powershell” configuration files. I just made an exception for the entire Atlas Toolbox folder in order to bypass this conclusion upon reinstall of my Antivirus after Atlas-OS install. There is nothing wrong with the files.. Microsoft signing is expensive as gold bells, and this is an Open-Source project…

While I fully understand, and am all too painfully aware, and am in agreement with why you see "Reset This PC" as insufficient... The visibility status of some the rest of the items in the settings applet, and especially the recovery section is important, and needs to be either a togglable or checkable option in at LEAST!!! Preferably in an "Advanced Mode” during install with checkboxes on what we want hidden or not hidden… Please do not assume that the rest of us think the same way you all do, no offense intended.

I never use "Reset This PC" as it is Total Crapola, but I do use other features of the recovery section. Now if there is a way in future to just disable “Reset This PC” by itself, then I am totally all for that.

FYI: you may activate the WinRE by holding down the "Shift" key and then selecting "Restart" in the start menu. Keep holding the "Shift" Key until you see "Please Wait" appear as the computer boots. You may then access the currently hidden by Atlas-OS recovery section.

Atlas-OS tends to use registry editing to make changes to the system, as it is one of the most effective and easiest methods of controlling windows internal settings, bloat, and the overweening Big Brother Style spying, and also general and Very Most Definite performance improvement.

If you want to unhide any of the hidden sections in the settings applet then hold down the "Windows Key" and Press R to bring up the run box. Type in "Regedit" without quotes in the Run Box, and press enter. This will bring up the Registry Editor.

I recommend backing up the registry before doing any editing by making sure the word "Computer" is selected at the very top left of the registry editor folder tree and then looking in the menu bar under "File" and then "Export". Name your file anything you like and make sure it has a .reg extension on the end. (You may also simply export a single key folder by selecting that folder on the left and using export, so it neither takes as long, nor is of such large size as a full backup. It is still a good idea to backup everything at least once.)

Navigate to the following location using the folder tree on the left side of the registry editor.>>

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Look for an entry with “ab” on the icon at most likely the bottom, called "SettingsPageVisibility" without quotes. Right-Click this entry and choose "Modify"

There are a lot of entries in this setting after the Atlas-OS install, so I recommend copying all of it to notepad so you may see how it is structured and then also make any changes you prefer ~According to Hoyle ~QED.

After you have finished your edits, highlight everything in the "SettingsPageVisibility" entry again or just "Modify" it again if you closed the "Modify" option and then Right-Click the highlight and paste the new list of entries. This will overwrite the old listing. Click "OK" to accept your changes and dismiss the "Edit String" dialogue box.

If you have the Settings Applet open... close it, and then reopen Setting. Your desired sections will return after reopening Settings.

POOF!!! DONE!!!

Namaste and Thank You again to the Developers of Atlas-OS {Bows Politely}
Zhur.