NOVA Playbook for Windows 11

System optimization for maximum gaming and productivity performance.

Table of Contents

• Description
• Features
• System Requirements
• Installation
• Post-Installation
• FAQ
• Open Source
• Credits
• Support

Description

NOVA is a playbook (an automated configuration script) for AME Wizard that prepares a Windows 11 installation image. It removes unnecessary system components, reduces background activity, and disables data collection sent to Microsoft.

Settings are applied to the installation image before Windows is installed — this approach is called ISO Injection. Modifying an already running system is not supported.

Features

• Performance — Reduces background system activity, disables telemetry, and adjusts power and system parameters for more stable performance.
• Usability — Removes built-in advertising and unnecessary components, and adjusts the Windows interface to simplify everyday use.
• Privacy — Limits Microsoft's data collection and removes Edge and pre-installed components that are not required for system operation.

System Requirements

Warning

ISO Injection only. This playbook is designed for a clean Windows installation. Running it on an already installed system is not supported and may cause critical errors.

• OS: Windows 11 (versions 24H2, 25H2)
• Method: AME Wizard ISO Injection
• Hardware: USB flash drive (8 GB minimum)

Installation

1. Prepare the Windows 11 image

Using UUP Dump is recommended — it integrates the latest cumulative updates into the image.

Method A — UUP Dump (recommended):

1. Visit uupdump.net and select Latest Public Release build (x64).
2. Choose your Language and Edition.
3. At the conversion step, select "Download and convert to ISO" and enable:
   • ✅ Include updates
   • ✅ Run component cleanup
   • ✅ Integrate .NET Framework 3.5
   • ✅ Use solid (ESD) compression
4. Download the archive, extract it, and run the download script. Wait for the ISO to be created.

Method B — official ISO:

• Download the ISO directly from the Microsoft website. Updates are not pre-integrated.

2. Build the modified image

1. Download the NOVA playbook file (.apbx) from the Releases page.
2. Download and launch AME Wizard Beta.
3. Drag and drop your ISO into the program window, then select the .apbx file.
4. Choose the desired options in the menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Wait for the build process to finish.

3. Write to USB and install

1. Write the modified ISO to a USB drive using the built-in AME Wizard tool or Rufus.
2. Boot from the USB drive (via BIOS/UEFI) and perform a clean Windows installation.
3. The system will be configured automatically on first login to the desktop.

Post-Installation

Important

Do not apply third-party optimizers, tweakers, or other playbooks on top of NOVA. Use the built-in Post-Install menu for any further configuration.

Drivers

1. Chipset

• AMD — Download from AMD.com
• Intel — Download from Intel.com

2. GPU

• NVIDIA:
  • Recommended — NVCleanstall
• AMD:
  • Recommended — RadeonSoftwareSlimmer
  • Custom — Amernime Zone
• Intel Arc:
  • Download from Intel.com

3. Network

• Realtek — Realtek PCIe FE / GBE / 2.5G / Gaming Family Controller
• Intel — Intel® Ethernet Adapter Complete Driver Pack
• Intel (Wi-Fi) — Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Drivers

Windows Settings

• File Explorer: If needed, use the batch files in the "Post-Install" folder to remove Home and Gallery from File Explorer.
• Power plan: The Balanced plan is enabled by default — switch to another if preferred.
• Date and time: Manually set the Time zone and synchronize the clock.
• Services and features: Use the "Post-Install" menu to enable or disable additional Windows features (printing, Bluetooth, etc.) as needed.

FAQ

Are kernel-level anti-cheats supported? (Vanguard, FACEIT, EAC, BattlEye)

Important

Yes. NOVA preserves the system components required by kernel-level anti-cheats.

• VBS (Virtualization-Based Security — hardware-assisted memory protection) is enabled by default. It is required for Vanguard and FACEIT AC. VBS can be turned off via the Post-Install menu if you do not play games that require it.
• Driver signature enforcement and Memory Integrity remain enabled.
• No services or components related to anti-cheats are removed.

Can I roll back NOVA changes?

Warning

There is no automatic rollback. Because changes are applied to the installation image, NOVA cannot be uninstalled from a running system.

• To return to stock Windows 11, perform a clean installation using an unmodified ISO.
• Some settings can be reverted manually via the Post-Install menu (for example, re-enabling Windows Defender or VBS).

Can I install Windows Updates?

Warning

Not recommended. Windows Update may revert NOVA's changes and restore disabled components.

• Avoid cumulative updates — they can be unstable and may cause errors.
• To stay current with security updates, rebuild the image with a fresh ISO from UUP Dump instead of installing updates afterwards.

Open Source

NOVA follows open-source principles. The playbook file (.apbx) is a standard ZIP archive with the password malte — its contents can be extracted and audited.

Credits

This project uses resources and code from the following authors and projects:

• zoicware — DefenderProTools
• Ameliorated-LLC — AME Wizard, Privacy+
• undergroundwires — privacy.sexy
• valleyofdoom — MouseTester
• spddl — GoInterruptPolicy

Support

Have ideas or found a bug? Open an issue or join the discussion on GitHub.