Introduction
ArcOS is a modified version of Windows designed from the ground up for speed, privacy, and minimal overhead. It removes telemetry, disables unnecessary background services, reduces default memory pressure, and applies targeted system-level tweaks — all while remaining fully compatible with your existing software.
ArcOS is not a standalone operating system. It is a set of scripts, policies, and configurations applied on top of a standard Windows installation. This means you retain full Windows compatibility and can update or revert at any time.
Create a full system backup or restore point before installing ArcOS. While the process is reversible, having a backup ensures you can recover from any unexpected issues.
System Requirements
ArcOS supports Windows 10 (21H2+) and Windows 11. The following minimum specifications are required:
- CPU: 64-bit dual-core, 2 GHz or faster
- RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
- Storage: 40 GB free disk space
- Windows: 10 21H2 or later / Windows 11 any version
- Internet connection for initial download
ARM-based systems (e.g. Snapdragon X Elite laptops) are not currently supported. Support is planned for a future release.
Installation
Installation takes approximately 10–20 minutes depending on your hardware. Your PC will restart several times during the process.
Download the installer
Download the latest ArcOS release from GitHub. Verify the SHA-256 checksum listed on the releases page before running.
Disable antivirus temporarily
Some antivirus software may flag system-configuration tools. Temporarily disable real-time protection before running the installer.
Run as Administrator
Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator". Accept the UAC prompt to continue.
Choose your configuration
Select a preset. "Balanced" offers the best trade-off between speed and compatibility. Advanced users can customize individual settings.
Apply and restart
Click Apply. The system will apply all changes and restart automatically. Do not interrupt this process.
Post-install verification
After reboot, run the ArcOS Toolbox. A green status on all checks confirms a successful install.
Configuration
After installation, the ArcOS Toolbox lets you fine-tune individual settings without re-running the full installer. It is accessible from the Start Menu.
- Toggle individual privacy policies on or off
- Re-enable services that were disabled (e.g. Windows Update, print spooler)
- Switch between power plan presets (Balanced, Performance, Ultra)
- Apply or revert specific registry tweaks
- Check for ArcOS updates
All settings are non-destructive and reversible. The Toolbox keeps a log of every change applied.
Privacy Tweaks
ArcOS applies the following privacy-oriented changes by default. All can be toggled in the Toolbox.
- Disables Windows Telemetry (DiagTrack) — data collection set to Security level
- Disables Windows Error Reporting (WerSvc)
- Blocks Microsoft advertising ID and targeted advertising
- Disables Cortana and Search indexing background tasks
- Removes OneDrive auto-start integration
- Blocks third-party CEIP tasks
- Disables Activity History and Timeline sync
- Turns off peer-to-peer update delivery
Performance Tweaks
Performance is achieved through service reduction, power plan tuning, and registry adjustments. Key changes include:
- Disables 35+ non-essential background services
- Sets power plan to High Performance (CPU not throttled at idle)
- Adjusts MMCSS for lower audio/video latency
- Tunes TCP/IP stack for lower network latency
- Disables Spectre/Meltdown mitigations (optional — improves performance, see note below)
- Reduces Windows visual effects to minimum (configurable)
Disabling Spectre/Meltdown mitigations improves CPU performance by 5–15% in some workloads. This is safe for personal, single-user PCs but is not recommended on shared or enterprise machines.
Uninstalling ArcOS
ArcOS can be fully reversed at any time. There are two methods:
Using the Toolbox (recommended)
Open ArcOS Toolbox → Settings → Revert All Changes. This restores all service states, registry keys, and power settings to Windows defaults.
System Restore
If you created a restore point before installation, use Windows System Restore (Control Panel → Recovery) to roll back to the pre-ArcOS state.
If neither method is available, a clean Windows in-place upgrade reinstall is the fallback. Personal files remain untouched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will ArcOS break Windows Update?
No. Windows Update remains fully functional by default. ArcOS only disables peer-to-peer update delivery. Automatic updates can optionally be deferred via the Toolbox.
Does ArcOS work with Windows 11 24H2?
Yes. ArcOS is tested against all current Windows 10 and Windows 11 feature versions, including 24H2.
Will I lose my files?
No. ArcOS only modifies system settings and services. Your personal files, applications, and user data are never touched.
Can I use ArcOS on a work PC?
We strongly advise against it. ArcOS is designed for personal use. Applying it to a managed enterprise device may violate IT policy or cause compatibility issues with domain/group policy management.
Is ArcOS open source?
Yes. The full source code is on GitHub under the MIT license. You can audit, fork, and contribute freely.
Does ArcOS affect gaming performance?
Users frequently report better system responsiveness and lower baseline CPU/RAM usage. ArcOS is not specifically tuned for gaming, but the performance headroom it creates can be beneficial for any intensive workload.