Windows Utility WinUtil is a one-stop shop to customize Windows

Martin Brinkmann
Aug 12, 2024
Windows software
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9

Windows Utility, short WinUtil, is a popular open source customization tool for Microsoft Windows devices. It is free and can be run from an elevated PowerShell prompt.

It is difficult to describe WinUtil in a short paragraph. It is a free tool to customize Windows. This is achieved through tweaks and the installation of software.

WinUtil offers the following core functionality:

  • Install popular software.
  • Debloat Windows using tweaks.
  • Troubleshoot issues.
  • Configure Windows Update.

How to start WinUtil

Windows Utility WinUtil interface

The program runs from a PowerShell prompt. You do not have to download anything to run it. Here is how that works:

  • Open the Windows Start menu.
  • Type PowerShell.
  • Locate and activate "Run as administrator".
  • Select the Yes-option when the UAC prompt appears.
  • Run irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iex by pasting the command and pressing the Enter-key.

This launches the WinUtil interface on the screen.

Tip: you can also download the latest PowerShell script from the GitHub repository instead.

Using WinUtil

WinUtil Install Software
The PowerShell terminal window shows background activity of WinUtil

WinUtil uses tabs to divide its functionality. The first tab is called Install. It lists dozens of applications, sorted into categories such as communications, browsers, or document, that you can install, uninstall, or upgrade.

Just check the programs and activate one of the action buttons afterwards. One of the main ideas behind WinUtil is to prepare default Windows installations.

You can use it to install multiple applications that you prefer in one swift operation.

To name a few of the apps that are available: Discord, Zoom, Brave, Firefox, Tor Browser, Floorp, Adobe Reader DC, LibreOffice, Notepad++, GitHub Desktop, Bluestacks, Steam, various .NET runtimes, Powertoys, Putty, WireShark, WinSCP, AIMP, Greenshot, ImgBurn, 7-Zip, CPU-Z, Bitwarden, Everything Search, and more.

Winget is used to download, install, upgrade, or uninstall applications. This happens in the original PowerShell terminal window. The graphical user interface reveals nothing about this.

WinUtil Tweaks

WinUtil Tweaks

Tweaks is the second tab that WinUtil has. It includes a wide selection of customization options. These are divided into the groups essential tweaks, advanced tweaks, and customize preferences.

You can hover over any tweak to get a description, as the name may not always explain what it does. Or do you know what "Disable Teredo" or "Adobe Debloat" do?

Essential Tweaks are mostly about disabling Windows features. This includes Telemetry, Activity History, or Wifi-Sense among several others. Besides that, you may also use it to run disk cleanup, disable PowerShell 7 Telemetry, or enable the end task with right-click feature.

There are also two options that are wide-reaching. Set Services to Manual sets a "bunch" of Services to manual startup. The GUI does not say which, but a click on the question-mark icon opens a help page on the project's Github page. There you find the full list of changes listed.

Debloat Edge is the second tweak that makes several changes. The popup descript says that it blocks telemetry options, popups, and other Edge annoyances. A click on the help icon opens a support page with information on the changes.

Note: the help page lists the changes that are being made, but it may not provide a description on some cases. The Edge help page, for example, lists only the Registry keys that the tweak modifies, but does not provide any explanation.

The advanced tweaks section lists more tweaks. The word "caution" is written at the top, which highlights that these changes may impact functionality.

It becomes clear quickly, when you go through the list. There you find an option to disable IPv6, remove Microsoft Edge, remove OneDrive, or remove all Microsoft Store apps.

An option to run O&O Software's ShutUp10 application is also baked in here.

The final group lists customization options. From enabling the dark theme and disabling Bing Search in the Start menu to disabling Sticky Keys and showing hidden files.

Everything is just a click or tap away.

The Config Troubleshooting section

WinUtil Config

The third tab lists -- mostly -- troubleshooting options. It links to a few Windows tools and legacy Windows Control Panel tools.

Apart from that, it lets you install Windows features, including Sandbox and the subsystem for Linux, enable or disable legacy F8 boot recovery, or enable daily Registry backup tasks.

Options to reset network or Windows Update, and to run a system corruption scan, are also provided. This section is a bit lighter, but it is still worth a visit.

The two remaining tabs: Windows Update and MicroWin

MicroWin

The last two tabs are special.

The first deals with the system's updating behavior. You can switch the default to either Security or Disable.

  • Security delays the installation of feature updates for as long as possible (2 years). The monthly security updates are installed 4 days after release on the second Tuesday of the month.
  • Disable all does exactly what it says. It turns off Windows Update. It is not a recommended option for most users, but some may find it useful.

The second is called MicroWin. It enables you to manipulate a Windows ISO image to make changes to the default installation of Windows right away.

It makes the following changes:

  • Removes telemetry and tracking.
  • Adds option to use local accounts.
  • Removes the Wi-Fi requirement to finish installations.
  • Option to remove Edge and Defender.
  • Remove Microsoft Teams.
  • Debloat apps.

Verdict

WinUtil is an advanced tool. While it is suitable for a wide range of users, inexperienced users need to be careful with some of the provided options and settings. It is a good idea to create a system backup before you start using the tool to make changes to the underlying system.

With that said, WinUtil is a helper app that can speed things up significantly, especially when run on new installs. Since you can export settings, you may speed up things further using previously exported files.

All in all, it is a great option, especially for system administrators.

Have you heard of WinUtil? Maybe even given it a try already? What is your take on it? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Summary
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Author Rating
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5 based on 3 votes
Software Name
WinUtil
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Administration
Price
FREE
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Comments

  1. Mad Jack said on August 16, 2024 at 3:28 pm
    Reply

    My thanks to all of you who left comments. I’m inexperienced with Windows, and while the article is good, it doesn’t begin to cover the downside of this particular tool.

  2. eWaste11 said on August 13, 2024 at 3:15 am
    Reply

    Good to have more options. I prefer Winaero Tweaker.

  3. Allwynd said on August 12, 2024 at 8:08 pm
    Reply

    That’s funny, it’s 3rd party programs that attempt at allowing you to do some of the things in current Windows that were in previous Windows and overall mimic Linux where you can do anything and still Windows remains an ever more limited and closed down gilded cage.

  4. Alexandra said on August 12, 2024 at 8:04 pm
    Reply

    The number of options is impressive. But the user interface is a mess.
    I use Winaero Tweaker for tweaks, and I like how it organizes the options. However, there is room for improvements too.
    Thanks for the post Martin.
    Cheers.

  5. bruh said on August 12, 2024 at 4:33 pm
    Reply

    I think a lot more credit is being given here than is deserved.

    “popular open source customization tool for Microsoft Windows devices”, like calm down, it’s a UI for a big script, and not even a nice looking one, at that. At least it has a search tool.

    “WinUtil is an advanced tool. While it is suitable for a wide range of users, inexperienced users need to be careful” advanced users have been “tweaking” things the old fashioned way and not actually relying on some UI program, if anything this is aimed at the users who want to tweak something but are scared to actually do it themselves.

    “it is a great option, especially for system administrators”, no offence to the tool, but really??

    1. VioletMoon said on August 13, 2024 at 12:12 am
      Reply

      “It is a great option, especially for system administrators.” No offense to the developer, but I wouldn’t trust the script on a production system unless I had used it extensively for several months on “test” machines. Running the script and clicking off boxes without much forethought or experience with the program sounds like a disaster awaiting.

      I like his Chris’ comment under Known Issues: “The script gets flagged due to the fact that it requires administrator privileges & makes drastic system changes.” That word “drastic”! Don’t know. May as well use the new Tiny11 distro.

  6. John G. said on August 12, 2024 at 3:45 pm
    Reply

    Too difficult to manage imho! Thanks for the article! :]

  7. Jeff Wilson said on August 12, 2024 at 2:08 pm
    Reply

    Thanks. Will keep this in mind. For now, my desktop is running so well that I don’t want to risk upsetting the balance.

  8. Peter C said on August 12, 2024 at 1:58 pm
    Reply

    Hi,

    I think it would be a good idea to mention Chris Titus’s name in the article as he authors this tool.

    Thank you

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