Installation Guide - Asteski/WinMac GitHub Wiki

WinMac simplifies the management process by enabling the use of a single bash script, for both installation and uninstallation. EasyLauncher supports both a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) and a command-line interface for terminal use, making it accessible for users of all technical backgrounds.

It is mandatory to install/uninstall components as an Administrator.

In order to ensure successful deployment process, it is mandatory to run batch script in Powershell 7 (not Windows Powershell). Do not run scripts directly from pwsh directory! You can install it either manually or by using Winget:

winget install Microsoft.PowerShell

Everything else (including Nuget and Winget) will be installed automatically, if not already installed.

Download WinMac by cloning main branch locally (recommended), or using latest version from release section.

I do not recommend installing WinMac on any insiders build of Windows 11. You can try but I can't promise its stability nor support in case of issues.

Installation

Here are the ways you can run different deployment mods:

• EasyLauncher.bat runs installation GUI by default
• EasyLayncher.bat -nogui or -n runs installer fully in terminal

List of components that WinMac currently includes:

1. PowerToys
2. Everything
3. Powershell profile
4. StartAllBack
5. WinMac menu (including NewModernWinver and Open-Shell)
6. Windhawk
7. Stahky
8. Keyboard shortcuts
9. Nexus
10. MacType
11. HotCorners (including WinXCorners, Simple Sticky Notes and WinLaunch)
12. Other settings

Other Settings includes these changes:

• installs and sets black cursor as default if Light theme is selected (if Dark theme is selected, Black cursor will still be deployed, but won't be activated)
• pins User, Programs folders and Recycle Bin to Explorer quick access
• removes shortcut arrows
• removes Recycle Bin icon from Desktop
• removes Home, Gallery and OneDrive objects from Explorer navigation pane
• removes Widgets
• adds End Task to Taskbar context menu
• adds Theme Switcher to Desktop context menu
• adds Hidden items option to Desktop and File Explorer context menu
• removes explorer context menu entries:
  • Give access to
  • Restore Previous Versions
  • Scan with Microsoft Defender
  • Troubleshoot Compatibility
  • Add to Favorites
  • Edit with Photos

Configuration

Powershell profile includes a ton of functions, aliases and terminal configurations, that improves terminal use, and implements many commands known from macOS and Linux distros. More details on what Powershell profile includes, check Command cheat sheet and Terminal configuration.

Explorer style

• Modern Explorer is a slightly modified version of Windows 11 explorer before Moments 4 update.

• Classic Explorer is a legacy explorer with Windows 7 Ribbon, that includes tabs functionality and Mica transparency elements.

Prompt style

• WinMac prompt:

00:00:00 user_name @ folder_name >

• macOS prompt - default prompt known from macOS:

user_name@computer_name folder_name %

Start Menu style

• WinMac Menu is a customized WinX menu, that includes many useful options, that resembles Apple menu,
• Classic Start Menu is a modernized version of start menu known from Windows 7.

Shell corners

Shell corners style option can enforce specific corners style on windows, context menus and other flyouts menu if possible.

Theme style

By choosing theme style, you tell WinMac deployment script to which mode you want installer to adapt its components theming to.

Dock style

• Default Dock resembles native macOS style, reserving whole screen width at the bottom.

• Dynamic Dock allows windows to fill whole desktop space, keeping dock on top and hide it when window will be maximized.

More details about other components can be found in Configuration wiki page.

Uninstallation

Run Administrator Powershell session, directly from WinMac directory. Here are the ways you can run different mods:

• EasyLayncher.bat -uninstall or -u runs uninstallation GUI
• EasyLayncher.bat -uninstallnogui or -un runs uninstaller fully in terminal

Vim, Winstep Nexus, Windhawk and MacType will show prompt you need to click through to uninstall, as they do not support silent uninstallation process. Do not click restart after MacType uninstallation, let the script finish and restart computer one everything will be uninstalled.

DO NOT uninstall applications independently through Control Panel or Apps Settings - always use EasyLauncher in uninstaller mode.