Start-to-finish guide

1. Requirements

• Windows 10 version 21H2 or newer, or Windows 11.
• 64-bit (x64) Windows, at least 4 GB of RAM, and approximately 200 MB of free disk space.
• Some operations require Windows administrator approval. App installation and network-related features may need an internet connection.

2. Download and install CoreX

1. Open the official CoreX release page and download the Windows installer.
2. Run the installer you downloaded. If Windows displays a security or UAC prompt, check that you intended to launch the installer before continuing.
3. Choose an installation location if asked, then finish setup. Start CoreX from the Start menu or its desktop shortcut.
4. For source builds, use the instructions in the repository README.

3. First launch and safe setup

1. Allow CoreX to finish loading. If a feature needs elevated access, Windows displays a UAC prompt; approve only if you initiated the action and understand why it needs access.
2. Review the dashboard and settings before applying changes.
3. Before using Tweaks, Cleanup, DNS, or restore features, make a separate backup of important files. Create a Windows restore point when appropriate.
4. Start with one change at a time. Check the result before making another change.

4. Dashboard and system monitoring

The dashboard displays available system details such as CPU load, memory use, GPU information, network activity, temperature, uptime, storage health, and overall status. These values are read from Windows and hardware interfaces; availability and accuracy depend on your PC, drivers, and sensor support.

• Use CPU and RAM readings to observe current load; they are snapshots/metrics, not a performance diagnosis.
• GPU information can vary by manufacturer and installed utilities. Some NVIDIA details rely on NVIDIA tools being available.
• Temperature or fan readings may be absent on unsupported hardware. A missing reading does not necessarily indicate a fault.
• Network speeds and latency vary with your connection and may fluctuate while other apps are using the network.

5. Windows Tweaks

Tweaks are documented Windows settings that can be applied or reverted. Categories include privacy, performance, visual settings, services, networking, gaming, power, and developer options. The available catalog can change between releases.

1. Open the Tweaks area and choose a category or setting.
2. Read its description and understand the expected Windows change before proceeding. Some changes can disable Windows features or affect other software.
3. Create a restore point and back up critical files first, especially for registry, service, or debloating changes.
4. Apply one selected tweak and approve any UAC prompt only if you initiated it.
5. Check the app and Windows afterward. If the app offers a revert action for that tweak, use it to undo the change. A restore point may be needed if the system does not return to its previous state.

“Reversible” means the app provides an undo path for supported changes; it is not a guarantee that every third-party effect or Windows update can be reversed.

6. Restore points

1. Open the Restore feature and request a new Windows restore point before a significant system change.
2. Wait for Windows to confirm completion. Restore point creation may fail if System Protection is disabled, space is unavailable, or Windows blocks the operation.
3. Review the list of existing points. If you choose a restore operation, Windows may restart and restore system settings to the selected point.

A Windows restore point is for system settings and files; it is not a guaranteed backup of personal documents, and it may not recover every application or file. Keep an independent backup.

7. Cleaner

The Cleaner can remove selected temporary data such as Windows temporary files, prefetch data, the Recycle Bin, update downloads, thumbnail caches, and crash dumps. Items available depend on your version and Windows configuration.

1. Open Cleaner and inspect the cleanup categories and any selected locations.
2. Do not select an item if you do not understand what it contains. Some cleanup actions permanently remove files or make diagnostics unavailable.
3. Start the cleanup and approve UAC only if requested for the operation you initiated.
4. Wait for completion; restart Windows if prompted or if a cleaned component requires it.

8. DNS Manager

DNS tools can show adapter configuration, set DNS servers, flush the DNS cache, or reset settings to Windows defaults. Incorrect DNS configuration can disrupt internet access.

1. Open DNS Manager and select the network adapter you intend to change.
2. Record or screenshot the current DNS values before editing them.
3. Enter only DNS addresses from a provider you trust, then apply the change and approve any Windows prompt.
4. Use the flush-cache action if you need to clear cached lookups. Use reset/default only when you want Windows or the network to provide DNS automatically.
5. Test the connection. If it fails, restore the original recorded values or use the reset action if appropriate.

9. Installing and managing apps

The Apps area can use Winget or Chocolatey to install supported applications. A package manager may need to be installed or configured, and the selected installer may display its own prompts.

1. Open Apps and search or browse the available catalog.
2. Confirm the app name and package source before starting installation.
3. Review package-manager and Windows prompts; cancel if the publisher or requested permissions are unexpected.
4. Wait for the package manager to report completion, then check the app in Windows.

Third-party apps have their own licenses, installers, update processes, and privacy practices. CoreX does not make those apps part of its own privacy policy.

10. Settings, themes, startup, and logs

• Themes: choose among the available themes, including System, Dark, Obsidian, Cyberpunk, Midnight, Light, Purple, Gray, and Classic.
• Tray icon: show or hide the CoreX notification-area icon.
• Auto-start: enable or disable launching CoreX when you sign in to Windows.
• Cache: clear the app's cache if troubleshooting requires it. This is separate from Windows system cleanup.
• Logs: open the app's log folder to review errors. Logs may include technical details; redact private information before sharing them.

11. Network diagnostics and data

CoreX's published privacy policy states that analytics may send app version, feature/screen events, Windows version, and coarse locale to PostHog. It also checks GitHub Releases for updates. Public IP and DNS resolver addresses are used for network/DNS tests only when you manually start those diagnostics. For details, see the Privacy Policy and Personal Data Policy.

12. Administrator access and safety

Protected Windows operations may require UAC approval. CoreX asks for approval when an operation needs administrator rights. If you cancel, that operation may not complete. Never approve a prompt you did not expect. See the full Permissions Policy.

• Do not run system tweaks on a PC you are not authorized to administer.
• Check the description and create a backup before modifying settings.
• Do not treat an administrator prompt, restore point, or “revert” button as a guarantee against data loss.

13. Troubleshooting

• A sensor is missing: hardware may not expose that reading, or the relevant driver/tool may be unavailable. Check Windows and manufacturer drivers.
• A system action fails: read the error, confirm Windows requirements and permissions, and check whether another app or organization policy blocks it. Do not repeat a system change blindly.
• DNS or internet stops working: restore the previous DNS values you recorded or reset to the appropriate Windows defaults.
• An app installation fails: check internet access, package-manager availability, and the installer output. Contact the third-party app publisher for package-specific issues.
• Need help: open GitHub Issues or email help.mahinulislam@gmail.com. Review and redact logs before sending them.

14. Uninstall CoreX

Close CoreX, then uninstall it through Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps (the exact labels can vary by Windows version). The installer is configured not to automatically delete app data when uninstalling; local settings and logs may remain. Remove them separately only if you no longer need them, and keep any logs you need for support first.

15. Further information

See the CoreX repository for the current release, source, supported features, and known issues. Features and screen labels may change over time; the in-app descriptions for your installed version should be treated as authoritative for the action you are about to run.