Compact custom version of Windows 11 released
What happened now? Windows 95 was less than 100 MB when first installed. However, a clean install of Windows 11 requires about 20 GB. No one doubts that software will need more data as technology advances, but many feel that Windows doesn’t justify a 20,000 percent increase in install size in 28 years. One developer may have proven this with a custom install that halved the size of Windows 11 from its default size.
This week, NTDEV released Tiny11, a version of Windows 11 that only needs about 8 GB of hard drive space and can run with 2 GB of RAM. It also fixes the somewhat high system requirements of Windows 11, but users should be aware that it makes some steep sacrifices in order to lose weight.
An optimized version of Windows 11 Pro 22H2, Tiny11 comes in ISO format. accessible on archive.org it’s only 3 GB compared to the official 5.1 GB ISO download from Microsoft.
A smaller version of Microsoft’s latest operating system includes essentials such as accessibility software, calculator, notepad, and drawing. It also saves the Microsoft Store so users can install any additional Microsoft software they need. The system comes with local accounts by default, but can also use online accounts.
It’s finally here!
Based on Windows 11 Pro 22H2, tiny11 has everything you need to comfortably work on your computer without the bloat and clutter of a standard Windows installation.
https://t.co/yM1Ip2ljjB pic.twitter.com/Tg5PWUZU1Q— NTDEV @[email protected] (@NTDEV_) February 2, 2023
The victim most credited by NTDEV for shrinking Windows 11 is the Windows Component Store (WinSxS). Without it, users won’t be able to install new languages or core features. Developer speaks Tiny11 is “not serviceable” but confirms that the system can receive .NET, drivers, and security definitions via Windows Update.
NTDEV assures users concerned about the security risks of the custom version of Windows that Tiny11 contains nothing from non-Microsoft sources. However, privacy-conscious users should not install it, expecting to be completely free of Microsoft telemetry.
The main goal of Tiny11 is to expand the range of systems that can access Windows 11. The custom version can run on any system running Windows 10 and can dual boot with that OS.
Windows 11 has sparked controversy due to its surprisingly strict system requirements, especially when it comes to processors. Due to TMP requirements, at least an 8th generation Intel Core or AMD Zen+ processor is usually required. Unsupported systems can run Windows 11, but this requires additional hoops that Tiny11 fixes.
The latest Statcounter data shows that one in five Windows users still do not have Windows 11 installed. Microsoft’s latest OS is still gaining market share, but much slower than Windows 10, which still runs on at least 70% of Windows systems.
