Atlas: A Windows modification to optimize performance, privacy and usability

by TaurenHunter • 2 years ago

45 26 2 years ago

gigel82• 2 years ago

I wanted this to be good, but upon close inspection of the "source code" you can find various executables, archives as well as a lot of scripts that download files from various urls at runtime, not to mention the atlas themes, background, oem/bios settings, etc. which don't appear to be optional.

I don't think they would intentionally compromise your machine, but at least they're very susceptible to supplychain attacks.

That said, there is a lot of good stuff in the scripts and registry tweaks that I wish could be made available independently.

vsskanth• 2 years ago

One would think this is the entire point of Windows Pro and Enterprise, but apparently not.

CamperBob2• 2 years ago

LTSC is the new Enterprise. No, you can't have it.

minkles3• 2 years ago

Yes you can. Massgrave :)

ementally• 2 years ago

https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7bv4b/windows-for-gamers-ro...

An operating system marketed to gamers disables a host of Windows security features enticing users with promises of a smooth gaming experience which they may not realize is opening them up to potential attack.

minkles3• 2 years ago

Most of the virtualization based security measures it disables are, well, described here nicely: https://xkcd.com/1200/

acdha4• 2 years ago

You might want to read the article more carefully. Disabling Defender is a real risk, and the virtualization-based security is used by things like Credential Guard precisely to _prevent_ the problem in that xkcd cartoon. It’s not perfect but when you have a billion PC users each risk mitigation can be preventing a lot of people from having a very bad day.

Sysreq2• 2 years ago

Look, I am not going to install it on my machine and I think a business would be insane to allow it on their servers, but I can also recognize that I am not exactly their market. If I want 10% more performance I can make that happen using my AMEX. I read this and I think “14 year old with a hand me down who wants to be epic” and I can respect that. I remember being a kid and wanting just a little more out of my machine to run the latest and greatest.

scrlk2• 2 years ago

So AltasOS is the 2024 equivalent of Windows XP Gold Edition? Granted, it does appear to have a nicer theme.

https://crustywindo.ws/Gold_Windows_XP_2016

gruez3• 2 years ago

Not really. Atlas contains a bunch of non-visual windows tweaks that so far as I can tell windows xp gold edition doesn't have. The only two they have in common is that they're both modded versions of windows.

hypeatei• 2 years ago

It appears to boil down to powershell scripts and "playbooks" that disable services, and one that installs LibreWolf?

Much more simple project here that "debloats" Windows 11: https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat

Atlas seems to be doing quite a bit like downloading archives, unzipping them, and installing executables.

TheRoque2• 2 years ago

How can you reassure me that those scripts and mods don't contain some malware injection or something else ?

jkman• 2 years ago

How can you reassure me that a random project by the name of AtlasOS doesn't contain some malware or something else?

cedws• 2 years ago

I've been through a Windows tweaking phase, trust me, it's a waste of time. All these Windows "distros" do is make weird placebo registry edits that are guaranteed to result in system instability.

The best way to use Windows is just not to fuck with it. Default install, don't log in during setup, don't run any "debloat" placebo-ware and your computer will work just fine. If it gets slow or you get errors just nuke it and reinstall.

exe34• 2 years ago

nuke it and reinstall

ah that brings back memories! I think the last time I even thought about that kind of thing was before installing nixos around 2016.

it's such a weird concept now!

BLKNSLVR• 2 years ago

Been through the options ranging from "run as default" to "tweak to within an inch of its life" which results in having done lots of nuke and reinstalls.

The answer I've settled on, which has kept me slightly more happy and stable for a number of years, is Linux (primarily Pop_OS).

jfdjkfdhjds• 2 years ago

lol at everyone hereabout "disabling defender".

the copy on the site opens with "F... windows". the target demographic is running pirated games and keygens. they already disable defender.

benterix• 2 years ago

A good summary for why I flagged the submission on this open, free, and otherwise useful project:

I wanted this to be good, but upon close inspection of the "source code" you can find various executables, archives as well as a lot of scripts that download files from various urls at runtime, not to mention the atlas themes, background, oem/bios settings, etc. which don't appear to be optional. I don't think they would intentionally compromise your machine, but at least they're very susceptible to supplychain attacks. That said, there is a lot of good stuff in the scripts and registry tweaks that I wish could be made available independently.

So Atlas guys, if you hear that, please split it into safe and potentially problematic parts so that the user can have a choice.

Atlas: A Windows modification to optimize performance, privacy and usability

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