---
title: User Guide
description: Overview of the WinUtil User Guide — installing apps, applying tweaks, running fixes, and managing updates.
sidebar:
  order: 0
---

import YouTubeEmbed from '../../../components/YouTubeEmbed.astro';

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

:::caution
Windows 10 is not supported by Winutil. Windows 10 reached the end of support on **October 14, 2025**.
:::

## 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
- **Access Tools**: Quick access to Windows panels and utilities

## Who Should Use Winutil?

Winutil is designed for:

- **Home Users**: People who want to optimize their personal PCs
- **Power Users**: Users who want fine-grained control over Windows
- **IT Professionals**: Teams managing multiple systems efficiently
- **Gamers**: Users optimizing systems for gaming performance
- **Privacy-Conscious Users**: People reducing telemetry and data collection
- **Developers**: Users setting up clean development environments

## Getting Started

New to Winutil? Follow the guides below in order to get up and running quickly:

1. **[Getting Started](/guides/getting-started/)** - Learn how to launch Winutil and understand the basics.
2. **[Applications](/guides/application/)** - Install, update, and remove apps with ease.
3. **[Tweaks](/guides/tweaks/)** - Apply performance, privacy, and usability improvements.
4. **[Features](/guides/features/)** - Explore built-in tools and common Windows fixes.
5. **[Updates](/guides/updates/)** - Configure how Windows Update behaves on your system.
6. **[Automation](/guides/automation/)** - Automate setups and reuse configurations across PCs.
7. **[Win11 Creator](/guides/win11creator/)** - Build a custom debloated Windows 11 ISO.

## 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 Applications Guide →](/guides/application/)**

### System Tweaks

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

**[Read the Tweaks Guide →](/guides/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 →](/guides/features/)**

### 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 →](/guides/updates/)**

### Automation

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

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

### Windows 11 Creator

Build a custom Windows 11 ISO with bloatware removed, telemetry disabled, and hardware requirement checks bypassed. You can then export it as an ISO file or write it directly to a USB drive.

**[Read the Win11 Creator Guide →](/guides/win11creator/)**

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

## Getting Help

Need help?

- **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/)**

## Video Tutorial

Watch the complete WinUtil overview:

<YouTubeEmbed id="6UQZ5oQg8XA" title="WinUtil overview" />

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

## Next

Dive right into the following section to get started:

**[Getting Started](/guides/getting-started/)** — Learn how to use WinUtil.
