Playbook installation method
Follow these steps in order. The full process (Windows reinstall, updates, Atlas installation) takes about 30–45 minutes. Atlas installation alone takes about 15 minutes. Before continuing, see who Atlas is for.
Step 1: Download Windows ISO
You need a clean Windows 11 ISO to reinstall Windows.
Which version?
- Visit Microsoft's Windows 11 download page
- Choose Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices (or ARM64 for ARM systems)
- Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)Confirm
- Choose your languageConfirm
- Click 64-bit Download (or ARM64 Download for ARM) to begin
- Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, then open it
- Click Accept to agree to the license terms
- Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, click Next, and choose your language and Windows 11
- Choose the ISO file option, then choose the download location
- After the download completes, click Finish
Step 2: Prepare network drivers (recommended)
You may lose internet after Windows installation if network drivers are missing.
Download now:
- Search for your motherboard or device model + “network drivers”
- Download the latest drivers
- Save to a USB drive or external storage
Can't find drivers?
Check your manufacturer’s support page or search Device Manager for your network adapter name.
Step 3: Reinstall Windows
Choose your installation method below.
Best for: Users already running Windows who want the easiest installation method.
- Disconnect internet (unplug ethernet, disable Wi-Fi)
- Mount the ISO:
- Right-click downloaded ISOOpen WithFile Explorer
- Note the drive letter (e.g., H:)
- Launch Windows Setup:
- Press Win + R
- Type: H:sourcessetup.exe (replace H with your drive letter)
- Press EnterAccept UAC prompt
BitLocker Error?
- Complete Windows Setup:
- Select No thanks when prompted for updates
- Uncheck "I want to help make Windows installation better"
- Click I don't have a product key
- Choose Windows Pro (or Pro for Workstations/Enterprise)
- Accept the licenseCustom: Install Windows only (advanced)
- Select your Windows driveNextOK (Windows.old warning)
- Wait for installation to finish (~15-20 minutes)
Best for: Users wanting a fresh install or those currently on Linux.
- Create Ventoy USB:
- Download Ventoy
- Run Ventoy2Disk.exe
- Select USB driveInstall ( erases USB data!)
- Copy Windows ISO to USB drive (labeled Ventoy)
- Disconnect internet - Unplug ethernet, disable Wi-Fi. Do not reconnect until instructed.
- Boot from USB:
- RestartEnter BIOS/UEFI (usually F12 or Del)
- Select your USB drive as the boot device (you may need to change boot order in BIOS settings)
- In Ventoy menu: Select Windows ISOBoot in normal mode
Security Violation?
- Start installation:
- In the Ventoy menu, select the Windows ISO with arrow keys, press Enter
- Click Boot in normal mode, press Enter
- For Windows 11: Click Next twice, then Previous version of setup (bottom left)
- Select languageNextInstall Now
- Click I don't have a product key
- Choose Windows Pro (or Pro for Workstations/Enterprise)
- Accept licenseCustom: Install Windows only (advanced)
- Select partitionNext
- Wait for installation (~15-20 minutes)
Step 4: Initial Windows setup
- Select language and keyboard layout
- Press Shift + F10Command Prompt opens
- Type: start ms-cxh:localonlyPress Enter
- Create account:
- Enter username, password, security questions
- In Privacy section: Turn off all optionsAccept
Step 5: Choose driver method
Recommended for: Beginners who want the easiest setup.
- Connect to internet
- Windows installs drivers automatically
- Proceed to Step 6
Recommended for: Advanced users who want full control over driver versions.
- SettingsWindows UpdatePause updates (1 week)
- Connect to internet
- Proceed to Step 6
- Install drivers manually later (see Drivers Guide)
Step 6: Update Windows and Microsoft Store apps
Update Windows and Microsoft Store apps before installing Atlas.
-
Update Windows:
- SettingsWindows Update
- Install all updates (including optional updates)
- If paused, click Resume Updates
- Restart your computer if prompted
-
After restart (if applicable):
- Check Windows Update again and install any remaining updates
- Repeat until no more updates are available
-
Update Microsoft Store apps:
- Open Microsoft Store
- Click Library (or search for “Updates”)
- Click Get updates to update all apps
- Wait for all updates to complete
-
After restart (if applicable):
- Open Microsoft Store again
- Check for updates again to confirm everything is current
Important
Update Windows and Microsoft Store apps fully before proceeding. After restart, check both again.
Step 7: Install AtlasOS
-
If using Manual Driver Installation:
- Run Disable Drivers Installation in Windows Update.reg from the extracted Atlas Playbook folder on your desktop
- Restart your computer
-
Download AtlasOS:
- Open EdgeGo to atlasos.net
- Click Get startedAlready following the guide?
- Download Atlas Playbook and AME Beta
-
Extract files:
- Extract both to desktop
-
Install AtlasOS:
- Open AME Beta.exe
- If SmartScreen warning: More infoRun anyway (safe to ignore)
- Click UpdatesUpdate AME Beta if available
- Drag Atlas Playbook.apbx into AME Beta
- Follow on-screen instructions
AME Beta deleted?
Add it as an exclusion in Windows Security or disable Real-time protection temporarily.
Installation complete
Your system will restart automatically.
Next steps
Follow the First Setup guide:
- Install drivers
- Configure Atlas settings
- Optimize hardware