AtlasOS: An Open-Source Modification of Windows 10 for Gamers with Performance Enhancements and Security Risks

AtlasOS is an open-source modification of Windows 10 meant for gamers. The primary focus of AtlasOS is to improve the performance of Windows 10, including disabling power-saving features, optimizing processes and networking elements to improve latency, and eliminating Microsoft's tracking, pre-installed apps, and bloatware.

The customization strips "unnecessary components" from Windows, including Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft Edge , which someone could consider a useless burden for operating system, but it also removes the Printing feature, Windows BitLocker , Windows Defender , System Restore, and even Windows Update! While some users may appreciate these changes, others criticize the potential impact on security.

Notably, AtlasOS also removes Specter/Meltdown mitigation patches and disables UAC, which has raised concerns about security vulnerabilities.

After all this criticism, AtlasOS has confirmed in a Twitter thread that future versions will give users warnings about disabling security features and having Windows Update and Defender optional.

Our take: Overall, AtlasOS is designed to be a useful tool for gamers who want to improve their Windows 10 experience. However, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and limitations of using this modification. You may also use a debloater program on a clean Windows installation, like Windows10Debloater or Win Debloat Tools . As always, users should exercise caution and make informed decisions about the software they use.