Getting Started with Winutil

Welcome to Winutil!

Winutil is a powerful Windows utility that helps you optimize, customize, and maintain your Windows system. This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started.

System Requirements

Before running Winutil, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11
• PowerShell: Version 5.1 or later (included by default in Windows 10/11)
• Administrator Access: Required for system-level changes
• Internet Connection: Required for downloading applications and updates
• .NET Framework: Version 4.5 or later (usually pre-installed)

Installation

Winutil doesn’t require traditional installation. It runs directly from PowerShell as a script.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

There are several ways to open PowerShell with admin rights:

Method 1: Start Menu (Recommended)

1. Right-click on the Windows Start button
2. Select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” on Windows 10
3. Or select “Terminal (Admin)” on Windows 11

Method 2: Search Method

1. Press the Windows key
2. Type “PowerShell” or “Terminal”
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch as administrator
4. Or right-click and select “Run as administrator”

Method 3: Run Dialog

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type powershell
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter

Step 2: Run the Launch Command

Once PowerShell is open with administrator privileges, run one of these commands:

Stable Release (Recommended for most users)

irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iex

Development Branch (For testing latest features)

irm "https://christitus.com/windev" | iex

Step 3: Wait for Winutil to Load

The first time you run Winutil, it may take a few moments to:

• Download the latest version
• Initialize the interface
• Load all features and settings

First Time Setup

Configure WinGet (If Prompted)

On your first run, you may be prompted to configure WinGet (Windows Package Manager). This is normal.

1. When prompted, type Y and press Enter
2. Accept the terms and conditions
3. This only needs to be done once

Understanding the Interface

Winutil opens with a clean, tabbed interface:

Main Tabs:

• Install: Browse and install applications
• Tweaks: Apply system optimizations and customizations
• Config: Access system tools and utilities
• Updates: Manage Windows updates
• MicroWin: Create custom, lightweight Windows ISOs

Your First Actions

Here are some recommended first steps for new users:

1. Create a Restore Point

Before making any changes, create a system restore point:

1. Go to the Tweaks tab
2. Find “Create Restore Point” under Essential Tweaks
3. Check the box and click “Run Tweaks”

This allows you to undo changes if needed.

2. Install Essential Applications

1. Navigate to the Install tab
2. Browse categories or use the search bar
3. Check applications you want to install
4. Click “Install Selected” at the bottom

3. Apply Basic Tweaks

For a better Windows experience without risks:

1. Go to the Tweaks tab
2. Select the “Desktop” preset for a balanced configuration
3. Review the selected tweaks
4. Click “Run Tweaks”

Common Tasks

Installing Applications

Single Application:

1. Open Install tab
2. Search for the application name
3. Check the box next to it
4. Click “Install Selected”

Multiple Applications:

1. Check multiple application boxes
2. All checked apps will install in sequence
3. Progress is shown in the bottom panel

Applying Tweaks

Essential Tweaks (Safe for all users):

1. Go to Tweaks tab
2. Select from Essential Tweaks section
3. Click “Run Tweaks”

Advanced Tweaks (Use with caution):

1. Only modify if you understand the implications
2. Always create a restore point first
3. Review documentation for each tweak

Undoing Tweaks:

1. Select the same tweaks you applied
2. Click “Undo Selected Tweaks”
3. System will revert to previous state

Using Quick Fixes

For common Windows issues:

1. Go to Config tab
2. Navigate to Fixes section
3. Select the appropriate fix:
   • Reset Network: Fixes network connectivity issues
   • Reset Windows Update: Resolves update problems
   • System Corruption Scan: Repairs corrupted system files
   • WinGet Reinstall: Fixes package manager issues

Changing DNS Servers

For improved privacy and speed:

1. Go to Config or Tweaks tab
2. Find the DNS section
3. Select a provider:
   • Cloudflare: Fast and privacy-focused
   • Google: Reliable and widely used
   • Quad9: Security-focused with malware blocking
   • AdGuard: Blocks ads and trackers
4. Click Apply

Understanding Presets

Winutil offers several preset configurations:

• Minimal: Minimal changes, keeps most Windows features
• Standard: Good middle-ground for most users

Safety Tips

✅ DO:

• Create restore points before major changes
• Read tweak descriptions before applying
• Start with Essential Tweaks
• Keep Windows up to date
• Back up important data

❌ DON’T:

• Apply all tweaks at once without understanding them
• Skip creating restore points
• Use Advanced Tweaks without research
• Disable security features unless necessary
• Run on production systems without testing

Troubleshooting First Run

Script Won’t Download

If the download fails:

1. Try the direct GitHub link:

irm https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/Winutil/releases/latest/download/Winutil.ps1 | iex

2. Force TLS 1.2 (for older Windows versions):

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12
irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iex

Execution Policy Error

If you get an execution policy error:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process -Force
irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iex

Download Blocked (India/Certain Regions)

If GitHub is blocked in your region:

1. Use a VPN service
2. Change DNS to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8)
3. Try again

Interface Doesn’t Appear

If Winutil downloads but doesn’t open:

1. Check if antivirus is blocking it
2. Ensure you ran PowerShell as administrator
3. Try closing and reopening PowerShell
4. Check Windows Defender exclusions

Next Steps

Now that you’re set up, explore these guides:

• Application Installation Guide - Learn about installing software
• Tweaks Guide - Understand system optimizations
• MicroWin Guide - Create custom Windows ISOs
• FAQ - Common questions and answers

Getting Help

If you need assistance:

• Documentation: Browse this documentation site
• Known Issues: Check the Known Issues page
• Discord: Join the community Discord server
• GitHub Issues: Report bugs on GitHub
• YouTube: Watch video tutorials

Quick Reference Card

Happy optimizing! 🚀