Getting Started

This page covers the WinUtil download and setup path end to end: system requirements, opening PowerShell with administrator rights, running the launch command and the first actions worth taking once the window appears.

WinUtil helps you install apps, apply system tweaks, run common fixes, and manage Windows settings from one place. This guide covers the safest way to get started and the first actions most users take.

Before running WinUtil, ensure your system meets these requirements:

• Operating system: Windows 11
• PowerShell: Version 5.1 or later (included by default in Windows 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)

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

There are several ways to open PowerShell with admin rights:

Method 1: Start menu (recommended)

1. Right-click the Windows Start button.
2. Select “Terminal (Admin)”.

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.

With PowerShell running as Administrator, run one of the following commands depending on the release channel you want.

Stable release (recommended)

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

Development branch (bleeding edge — for testing only)

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

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

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
• Win11 Creator: Build a customized Windows 11 ISO from an official Microsoft image

Here are some recommended first steps for new users:

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 gives you a rollback point if needed.

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

For a better Windows experience with minimal risk:

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

Single application:

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

Multiple applications:

1. Check multiple application boxes.
2. All checked apps will install in sequence.
3. Install and uninstall progress is shown in the window-level bottom panel, including the current package or package-manager batch and overall completion.

Essential tweaks (safe for all users):

1. Go to the Tweaks tab.
2. Select from the 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. The system reverts to the previous state.

For common Windows issues:

1. Go to the Config tab.
2. Navigate to the 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

For improved privacy and speed:

1. Go to the 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.

WinUtil offers several preset configurations:

• Minimal: Minimal changes that keep most Windows features
• Standard: A good middle ground for most users
• Advanced: Selects a focused set of safer advanced tweaks

✅ 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

If the launch command fails:

• Make sure PowerShell or Terminal is running as Administrator.
• Confirm the PC has internet access and can reach christitus.com.
• Retry from a normal PowerShell session rather than a restricted enterprise shell profile.
• If the command starts and then closes immediately, reopen Terminal as Administrator and run it again so you can read the error output.

If it still fails, check the Known Issues page.

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

• Applications Guide — Learn about installing, upgrading, and uninstalling software
• Tweaks Guide — Understand system optimizations
• FAQ — Common questions and answers

If you’re reporting a problem, click the gear icon in the top-right corner and choose Export Environment Report. It saves a read-only JSON file with:

• Windows edition, version, build, and architecture
• CPU model, logical processor count, and total memory
• PowerShell edition, version, and execution policy
• Whether WinGet and Chocolatey are installed, and their versions
• Whether a reboot is pending
• The current applied/not-applied state of every tweak and toggle

It does not include computer or user names, paths, IP or MAC addresses, serial numbers, installed-app inventories, services, raw registry paths or values, secrets, or logs. The tweak/toggle state is derived from a registry comparison, but only the resulting true/false per tweak is included, not any registry content itself. WinUtil never uploads the report — you choose where to save it and who to send it to.

You’ll be asked whether to also bundle the last 7 days of WinUtil logs into a companion .txt file, which maintainers often need alongside the report to diagnose an issue. This companion is raw log output and does not use the JSON report’s privacy allowlist: it may contain local paths, commands, and error details. Review it before sharing.

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