winutil/docs/content/userguide/_index.md

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title: User Guide
weight: 2
---

Welcome to the official User Guide for **Winutil**, your all-in-one Windows toolkit!

## What is Winutil?

Winutil (Chris Titus Tech's Windows Utility) is a comprehensive PowerShell-based tool that helps you:

- **Install Applications**: Quickly install popular software without manual downloads
- **Apply Tweaks**: Optimize Windows for performance, privacy, and usability
- **Fix Issues**: Troubleshoot common Windows problems with one-click fixes
- **Manage Updates**: Control how and when Windows updates install
- **Create MicroWin**: Build custom, lightweight Windows installation ISOs
- **Access Tools**: Quick access to Windows panels and utilities

## Who Should Use Winutil?

Winutil is designed for:

- **Home Users**: Wanting to optimize their personal PCs
- **Power Users**: Needing fine-grained control over Windows
- **IT Professionals**: Managing multiple systems efficiently
- **Gamers**: Optimizing systems for gaming performance
- **Privacy-Conscious Users**: Reducing telemetry and data collection
- **Developers**: Setting up clean development environments

## Getting Started

New to Winutil? Start here:

1. **[Getting Started Guide](getting-started/)** - Installation and first steps
2. **[Application Store](store/)** - Learn to install software easily
3. **[Tweaks Guide](tweaks/)** - Optimize your system
4. **[Features & Fixes](features/)** - Troubleshoot common issues

## Main Features

### 🚀 Application Installation

Browse and install hundreds of popular applications with a single click. No more hunting for download links or dealing with installer bloat.

**[Read the Store Guide →](store/)**

### ⚙️ System Tweaks

Apply optimizations for performance, privacy, and usability. Choose from preset configurations or customize individual tweaks.

**[Read the Tweaks Guide →](tweaks/)**

### 🛠️ Config & Fixes

Quick fixes for common Windows problems:
- Reset network settings
- Fix Windows Update issues  
- Repair system files
- Access legacy Windows panels

**[Read the Features Guide →](features/)**

### 🪟 MicroWin

Create custom Windows installation ISOs with bloatware removed, optimizations pre-applied, and unnecessary components stripped out.

**[Read the MicroWin Guide →](microwin/)**

### 🔄 Update Management

Take control of Windows Updates with options to:
- Enable/disable updates
- Security updates only
- Pause updates
- Manage driver updates

**[Read the Updates Guide →](updates/)**

### 🤖 Automation

Automate Winutil configurations for:
- Multiple PC setups
- Enterprise deployments
- Consistent configurations
- Scripted installations

**[Read the Automation Guide →](automation/)**

## Quick Links

| I want to... | Go to... |
|--------------|----------|
| Install Winutil for the first time | [Getting Started](getting-started/) |
| Install applications quickly | [Application Store](store/) |
| Speed up my computer | [Tweaks Guide](tweaks/) |
| Fix Windows Update problems | [Features - Fixes](features/) |
| Create a lightweight Windows ISO | [MicroWin](microwin/) |
| Automate setup for multiple PCs | [Automation](automation/) |
| Understand what tweaks do | [Tweaks Guide](tweaks/) |

## Safety and Best Practices

Before using Winutil:

✅ **Always**:
- Run PowerShell as Administrator
- Create a system restore point before major changes
- Understand what tweaks do before applying them
- Start with Essential Tweaks before Advanced ones
- Keep backups of important data

❌ **Never**:
- Apply all tweaks without understanding them
- Skip creating restore points
- Use on production systems without testing
- Disable security features unnecessarily

## System Requirements

- **Operating System**: Windows 10 (1809+) or Windows 11
- **PowerShell**: Version 5.1 or later (included in Windows)
- **Permissions**: Administrator access required
- **Internet**: Required for downloading apps and updates
- **.NET Framework**: 4.5+ (usually pre-installed)

## Getting Help

Need assistance?

- **📖 Documentation**: You're reading it! Use the navigation menu
- **❓ FAQ**: Check [Frequently Asked Questions](../faq/)
- **🐛 Known Issues**: Review [Known Issues](../knownissues/)
- **💬 Discord**: Join the [community Discord](https://discord.gg/RUbZUZyByQ)
- **🐙 GitHub**: Report bugs on [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil/issues)
- **📺 YouTube**: Watch [video tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UQZ5oQg8XA)

## Contributing

Want to help improve Winutil?

- **Report Bugs**: Submit issues on GitHub
- **Suggest Features**: Open feature requests
- **Contribute Code**: Submit pull requests
- **Improve Docs**: Help expand this documentation
- **Share Knowledge**: Help others in Discord

**[Read Contributing Guide →](../contributing/)**

## What's in This Guide?

This User Guide covers everything you need to know:

1. **[Getting Started](getting-started/)** - Installation, first run, basic usage
2. **[Application Store](store/)** - Installing software, using presets
3. **[Tweaks](tweaks/)** - System optimizations and customizations  
4. **[Features & Fixes](features/)** - Troubleshooting tools and utilities
5. **[MicroWin](microwin/)** - Creating custom Windows ISOs
6. **[Updates](updates/)** - Managing Windows Update behavior
7. **[Automation](automation/)** - Scripting and batch deployments

## Video Tutorial

Watch the complete Winutil overview:

{{< youtube id=6UQZ5oQg8XA loading=lazy >}}

Ready to get started? Head to the **[Getting Started Guide](getting-started/)** now!