5 Fastest Windows Mods for Gaming (2025): We Tested AtlasOS vs ReviOS

Modern Windows 11 is bloated. It's loaded with background telemetry, Start Menu ads, and apps you can't remove, all of which kill performance. For gamers and users with older "potato PCs," this bloat is a major problem.

This is why the "Windows Mod" community exists. These custom, unofficial versions of Windows are stripped-down for one reason: speed.

A comparison grid of 5 fast Windows Mod logos: AtlasOS, ReviOS, Tiny11, Ghost Spectre, and ggOS.

We've updated our list for 2025 to compile the 5 best and fastest Windows mods, including the famous AtlasOS. We tested and compared them to help you find the right one for your rig.

If you are not ready to reinstall Windows yet, try our guide on Why Is My Windows PC Suddenly So Slow? (10 Simple Fixes) first to optimize your current system.

A BIG, BOLD WARNING BEFORE YOU START

Before you install any of these, you must understand the risks. These are UNOFFICIAL mods.

Security Risk: Most mods remove Windows Defender and Windows Update to save resources. This makes your PC highly vulnerable to viruses.
Stability Risk: Apps or games might crash if a component they need has been removed.
No Support: You cannot call Microsoft for help.

Our Advice: Use these only on a secondary, dedicated gaming PC or an experimental laptop. Do NOT use them on your main work or school computer. Always download directly from the official developer.

1. AtlasOS (The Gaming Champion)

AtlasOS is the most popular mod for one reason: it delivers maximum gaming performance. It's built for gamers who need the lowest latency and highest FPS.

Pros: Aggressively disables hundreds of background services that cause in-game stutters. Excellent for competitive e-sports.
Cons: Extremely aggressive. It removes Windows Defender, System Restore, and more. It is not intended for general daily use.
Best For: Dedicated, "gaming-only" PCs.

2. ReviOS (The Balanced All-Rounder)

ReviOS is a respected, balanced mod that aims for a "sweet spot" between speed, privacy, and functionality.

Pros: It's less extreme than Atlas. It removes most bloatware but keeps (or makes it easy to reinstall) key features like the Windows Store or Xbox Game Bar.
Cons: Still disables Windows Update/Defender by default, so you must be security-conscious.
Best For: A daily-driver PC that is also used for gaming; arguably the safest bet on this list for a "normal" user.

3. Tiny11 / Tiny10 (The "Potato PC" Saver)

From developer NTDEV, this mod's only goal is to make the Windows installation footprint as small as possible.

Pros: Can run comfortably on just 2GB of RAM. The install size is tiny (often under 8GB). It also bypasses the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.
Cons: Extremely "bare-bones." Most default apps (like Edge) are gone. You must manually install everything you need, including drivers.
Best For: Reviving very old laptops, virtual machines (VMs), and "potato PCs" that cannot run standard Windows 11.

4. Ghost Spectre (The Tinkerer's Choice)

A veteran mod famous for its post-install "Ghost Toolbox" which allows for deep customization.

Pros: The toolbox lets you pick and choose what to disable or re-enable. Want the Store back? Just click a button.
Cons: All the choices can be confusing for a beginner.
Best For: Power users and "tinkerers" who want fine-grained control over their OS.

5. ggOS (The Hardcore Competitor)

Formerly Nexus LiteOS, ggOS is another mod built purely for competitive gaming, making it a direct competitor to AtlasOS.

Pros: Hyper-optimized for the lowest possible input lag and network latency.
Cons: Like Atlas, it's very aggressive and not suitable for general use.
Best For: Pure, competitive gamers who want to test every possible performance tweak.

Conclusion: The Speed vs. Security Trade-Off

All modded Windows versions offer a clear trade-off: you sacrifice security for speed.

Here's a simple breakdown of who should use what:

Dedicated Gaming Rig: AtlasOS or ggOS.
Revive an Old Laptop: Tiny11.
Balanced Daily/Gaming PC: ReviOS.
Full Custom Control: Ghost Spectre.

Have you tried any of these Windows mods? Or do you prefer to stick with the standard Windows install? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!