Configuration Files

Winhance uses .winhance configuration files (JSON format) to store all your app selections and system settings. This allows you to easily backup your preferences, share them across multiple computers, or quickly set up a new Windows installation with your desired settings.

How to Access Configuration Import/Export

You can access the configuration import/export functionality in two ways:

1. Top Navigation Bar: Use the Export Config button (floppy disk icon) or Import Config button (folder icon) in the top right corner of the main window.
2. Settings Page: Navigate to Settings from the left navigation pane and use the Import or Export buttons in the Backup & Restore section.

Exporting Your Configuration

Before exporting, make sure all your settings are configured to your desired state:

1. Software & Apps: Select the Windows apps you want to remove on future installs, and the external apps you want to install.
2. Optimize: Toggle all optimization settings (Privacy, Power, Gaming, Updates, etc.) to your preferred values.
3. Customize: Set your theme, taskbar, start menu, and explorer preferences.
4. Click the Export Config button (floppy disk icon) in the top navigation bar, or use the Export button in Settings.
5. Choose a name and location for your .winhance file.

The exported file contains a complete snapshot of all your current Winhance selections and settings.

Importing a Configuration

To apply a previously saved configuration:

1. Click the Import Config button (folder icon) in the top navigation bar, or use the Import button in Settings.
2. Choose one of the two options:
   • Import my own config: Select a .winhance configuration file from your computer.
   • Import recommended config: Load Winhance's built-in recommended configuration.
3. A Unified Configuration Dialog will appear, allowing you to choose exactly which parts of the config to apply.

Import Options Explained

The import dialog gives you granular control over what gets applied:

Windows Apps

• Process app removals now: Automatically remove selected Windows apps as part of the import process.
• Select checkboxes only: Only mark the apps as selected so you can review them before clicking "Remove Selected Items" manually.

External Apps

• Process app installations now: Automatically start installing selected external apps after the import completes.
• Select checkboxes only: Only mark the apps as selected so you can review them before clicking "Install Selected Items" manually.

Optimize & Customize Features

You can individually select which feature groups to apply:

• Privacy & Security
• Power
• Gaming & Performance
• Updates
• Notifications
• Sound
• Windows Theme (with option to apply default wallpaper)
• Taskbar (with option to apply "Clean Taskbar" command)
• Start Menu (with option to apply "Clean Start Menu" command)
• Explorer

Additional Options

• Apply default wallpaper: When importing theme settings, optionally apply the default Windows wallpaper for the selected theme (light or dark).
• Apply Clean Taskbar: Remove all pinned items from the taskbar and apply recommended taskbar settings.
• Apply Clean Start Menu: Remove all pinned items from the start menu and disable suggestions/recommendations.

4. Click OK to begin the import process. A "Sit back and relax" overlay will appear while Winhance applies your settings.
5. After the import completes, you'll see a success message. If external app installation was selected, it will begin automatically in the background.

Winhance Recommended Config

Winhance comes with a built-in Recommended Configuration based on hundreds of hours of testing. It provides a balanced set of optimizations that increase performance and privacy without breaking Windows functionality.

What the Recommended Config Includes:

• Windows Apps: Selects common bloatware for removal (Clipchamp, Feedback Hub, Microsoft News, Xbox apps, etc.) while keeping essential apps like Calculator, Notepad, and Terminal.
• External Apps: Selects highly recommended applications including:
  • Brave Browser
  • 7-Zip
  • StartAllBack
  • Notepad++
  • OnlyOffice Desktop Editors
  • Sumatra PDF
  • And more...
• Optimizations: Disables major telemetry, advertising, and tracking; applies performance-focused settings.
• Customizations: Applies clean UI tweaks for a streamlined Windows experience.

How to Load the Recommended Config

1. Click the Import Config button.
2. Select Import recommended config.
3. Review and adjust the import options as desired.
4. Click OK to apply.

Config File Structure (Advanced)

Configuration files are stored in JSON format with a version number for compatibility checking. The current version is 2.0. If you are an advanced user, you can inspect or edit them manually.

The structure includes these main sections:

{
  "Version": "2.0",
  "CreatedAt": "2026-01-29T12:00:00Z",
  "WindowsApps": {
    "IsIncluded": true,
    "Items": [
      {
        "Id": "microsoft-edge",
        "Name": "Microsoft Edge",
        "IsSelected": true,
        "AppxPackageName": "Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ExternalApps": {
    "IsIncluded": true,
    "Items": [
      {
        "Id": "brave-browser",
        "Name": "Brave",
        "IsSelected": true,
        "WinGetPackageId": "Brave.Brave"
      }
    ]
  },
  "Optimize": {
    "IsIncluded": true,
    "Features": {
      "privacy-security": {
        "IsIncluded": true,
        "Items": [
          {
            "Id": "telemetry-disable",
            "Name": "Disable Telemetry",
            "IsSelected": true,
            "InputType": "Toggle"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "Customize": {
    "IsIncluded": true,
    "Features": {
      "windows-theme": {
        "IsIncluded": true,
        "Items": [
          {
            "Id": "theme-mode-windows",
            "Name": "Windows Theme",
            "SelectedIndex": 0
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Best Practices

• Create a backup: Export your configuration before making major changes so you can easily restore your preferred settings.
• Use descriptive names: Name your config files meaningfully (e.g., Gaming_PC_Config.winhance or Work_Laptop_Config.winhance).
• Universal configs: If you manage both Windows 10 and 11 machines, turn off the version filter before exporting to create a config that works on both.
• Review before processing: For manual control, select "Select checkboxes only" options to review selections before processing.
• Store configs safely: Keep your configuration files in cloud storage or a backup location so they survive system reinstalls.