ShellNewHandler VS Atlas-OS.dev

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• Improved gaming performance
  AtlasOS is a modified Windows configuration built to reduce background processes, services and overhead, which can lead to lower input latency, better frame-time consistency and more free system resources for games.
• Debloated and lightweight
  It removes or disables many bundled apps, telemetry components and unneeded services, so the system uses less RAM and CPU at idle and feels cleaner than a stock Windows installation.
• Open source and transparent
  The project is open source, so users can inspect the changes, scripts and playbook it applies. The community can also contribute and audit what is modified, which builds more trust than closed-source 'optimizer' tools.
• Privacy-focused changes
  AtlasOS reduces telemetry and data collection and disables a number of tracking-related features, which appeals to users who want more control over what Windows sends to Microsoft.
• Customizable and uses genuine Windows
  It is applied on top of an official Windows installation via the AME Wizard playbook rather than shipping a pre-cracked ISO. Users can choose which options to apply, and the result is still built on Microsoft's own Windows components.

Possible disadvantages

• Security and update trade-offs
  Disabling or limiting components like Windows Defender, Windows Update and certain mitigations can leave the system more exposed to malware and vulnerabilities, and users must manage security and patching themselves.
• Potential compatibility and stability issues
  Removing services and features can break some apps, Microsoft Store functionality, certain drivers, Windows features or future Windows updates, and troubleshooting may be harder because the system is non-standard.
• Not officially supported by Microsoft
  Modifying Windows this way may violate support expectations. Microsoft will not support a modified system, and major Windows feature updates may break the tweaks or require reinstalling or re-applying the playbook.
• Requires technical knowledge
  Installation involves a clean Windows setup, running the AME Wizard and understanding the options chosen. Beginners may find it risky, and a mistake can lead to data loss or an unstable system.
• Performance gains vary
  The improvements are often modest on modern hardware and depend on the specific system and workload. Some claimed benefits are hard to verify, and users who just need a lightly tweaked stock Windows may not see enough benefit to justify the risks.

• I recently got libreoffice, but now the new option in right click looks like a mess. Can someone help me get rid of them please?

  Use Shell New Handler. Run the portable app and simply untick the items you don't want to appear in your new context menu. Source: about 4 years ago

• This menu should be easy to add/remove programs to... Who is really creating Access Databases from this menu often enough to keep it here? (Not me!) Is there an easy way to edit this?

  I've always used ShellNewHandler for this. It's a really simple portable utility that allows you to remove most of the items from that menu. Tested it out on Windows 11 and it's still compatible. Source: over 5 years ago

Tracking Atlas-OS.dev since May 2026.