Tiny11: Run Windows 11 on Just 184 MB of RAM

Ah, the age-old game of pushing technological boundaries! Imagine squeezing a modern operating system into a space smaller than your classic rock concert tee. Developer NTDev has set the internet abuzz by achieving what many would have thought impossible – running Windows 11 on a mere 184MB of RAM. That's not just any version of Windows 11, mind you, but a lean and mean version aptly named Tiny11.

The Magic of Tiny11​

NTDev, whose fame in the tech community is built on stretching the limits of Microsoft's operating systems, took on the challenge of minimalist computing with spectacular results. Their creation, Tiny11, is a slimmed-down, customized version of Windows 11 specifically crafted to shed the mandatory weight of the bloatware and extraneous applications that typically accompany a fat, out-of-the-box Windows installation.
Tiny11's slimming process involves discarding excess baggage like the Camera app and OneDrive. This radical trimming reduces the standard installation footprint from over 20GB down to a svelte 8GB. Imagine a Windows 11 installation that's as slim as your old-school flip phone but still swaggers with modern flair.

How Low Can You Go?​

But surely, you wonder, can anyone possibly operate an OS, which resembles a space-hogging teenager before the prom, on a minuscule 184MB of RAM? The answer is both simple and complex. NTDev's feats required not only substantial optimization but also a heavy reliance on memory paging. While paging lets an OS cope with a lack of physical RAM by borrowing space from storage, let's be honest: running a system with Notepad open while maxing out the memory just presses your patience.
And sure, opening multiple apps would be like inviting your entire family to a studio apartment during Thanksgiving – things can get awkwardly cramped. What's more, removing some features can result in usability issues. For instance, if you chuck the Edge browser, kiss goodbye to its widget-dependent scripts.

A Walk on the Wild Side: NTDev’s Other Exploits​

If squeezing Windows 11 into a super-tight RAM vest doesn't impress you, consider NTDev's other ventures into the depths of OS mastery. An early 2024 adventure saw them shrink a Windows 11 installation size to under 100MB. Of course, like building a car with no fuel, the OS worked—barely—but it was impressive, nevertheless. And in another speedster exercise a month later, they cut the Windows 10 installation process down to 104 seconds.

Implications and Broader Context​

While NTDev’s work may seem like sophisticated geeky antics, it speaks volumes to the power of optimization and the potential for creating accessible technology for hardware with significant constraints. With the rise of IoT devices and the need for efficient systems, such developments could inspire more lightweight versions of OSs in the future, perhaps even by official channels.

The Takeaway​

While Tiny11 is not officially supported by Microsoft, its existence serves as a reminder that the possibilities in the tech world are only limited by imagination and innovation. With NTDev leading the charge, who knows? Maybe one day, you'll be running fully-featured, modern applications on specs currently reserved for digital watches.
Intrigued by NTDev’s exploits, or do you have your thoughts on where this level of optimization might take us next? Jump into the WindowsForum.com discussion and share your insights!

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Source: TechSpot Developer sets Windows 11 record by running it on just 184MB of RAM

The Windows operating system, over the years, has grown synonymous with feature-packed interfaces and substantial hardware requirements. But every so often, someone comes along to defy expectations, reminding us just how versatile an OS can be when stripped to its bare bones. Enter NTDEV — a cheeky tech tinkerer known for pushing Windows to its minimalistic limits. His latest escapade? Coaxing Windows 11 24H2 into running on just 184MB of RAM. Yes, you read that right: no high-end GPUs, no gigabytes worth of system memory, just a tiny sliver of computing resources.
Explorations like this aren't exactly meant for practical use, but they sure are fascinating technical exercises. Let’s break down what NTDEV, the mastermind behind “Tiny11” editions of Windows, accomplished and what it signifies for casual users and tech enthusiasts alike.

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Windows 11: What’s This Tiny Footprint About?​

At its core, Microsoft's official minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 include:

• 4GB of RAM.
• 1GHz processor with 2 or more cores.
• A 64GB storage device.

But NTDEV approached this with the mindset of, “What’s the absolute minimum needed to boot a functional version?" Using surgical optimization techniques and an updated "Tiny11 Core" (a project where he strips Windows of non-critical components), NTDEV performed extensive modifications to shrink down Windows 11 24H2. The results? A version that boots into Safe Mode, contains the essentials, and still manages to multitask — albeit, in a monstrously slow and isolated state.
In its pared-down avatar, this build supports basic tools:

• Task Manager.
• Notepad.
• Paint.

Sure, this Frankenstein’s monster of an OS won’t be running Crysis or editing 4K videos anytime soon, but it can serve as a discussion starter on Windows’ scalability.

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The Nuts and Bolts: How Did He Do It?​

NTDEV's walkthrough of the breaking-and-shrinking process gives us a glimpse of how Windows 11, at its heart, is still an optimized modular platform ready for tinkering. Here’s a broad outline of how he made this implausible build possible:

1. Tiny11 Core Optimization​

Tiny11 Core, a foundational lightweight Windows shell, served as the base for NTDEV’s experiment. This tool removes non-essential bloatware and services, essentially trimming Windows down to its core kernel and UI framework.

• Key Services Disabled: Components like Cortana, telemetry services, and non-core drivers were eliminated.
• AI Out: No Copilot or fancy AI assistants make the cut in this small build — features that have become central to Windows 11's post-2023 narrative.
• Safe Mode Strip-down: Running the build in Safe Mode limits device drivers and resource demands, but at the cost of broader functionality.

2. Memory Usage Manipulation​

NTDEV drove RAM usage to record lows by further killing:

• Background processes (e.g., cloud synchronization, live tiles).
• Platform extensions like the Windows Store, Edge browser functionality, and gaming-specific optimizations.

3. Software-Specific Minification​

Application binaries (even the ones available, like Paint) were aggressively optimized. Libraries and dependencies that weren’t absolutely necessary were replaced with lighter alternatives where possible.
Notably, nearly all UI animations, themes, and accessibility features were ditched for a vanilla interface.

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Why Is This Interesting?​

1. A Testament to Software Bloat​

Modern OS needs are often inflated due to visually rich UIs, redundant preinstalled applications, and accumulating legacy support. NTDEV's project showcases just how unnecessary many of these elements are for basic operation. Remember the halcyon days of Windows XP when your entire system didn’t demand a supercomputer? Thanks to experiments like this, we’re reminded some older principles of “less is more” still apply.

2. Hardware Efficiency in Perspective​

At the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 (CES), Microsoft and its PC partners are heavily promoting new AI PC ecosystems — claiming systems with 16GB of RAM are soon to be the “new normal.” NTDEV essentially challenged this marketing narrative: If Windows 11 CAN run on 184MB of memory, then why do we really need to spend $1000+ for basic desktop tasks?
This raises questions about how operating systems could be optimized for budget-conscious users or regions with limited hardware availability.

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But What’s the Catch?​

Of course, this minimalist Windows isn’t ready for widespread practical use. Here’s why:

• Speed Is a Snail: Booting and running processes felt torturously slow — hardly suitable for modern workflows.
• Safe Mode Limitation: Features like network accessibility, third-party drivers, and extensive multitasking didn’t feature in NTDEV's experiment.
• Not Officially Supported: Microsoft would laugh you out of the room if something went wrong with your "184MB" system and you asked for official support. Running a modified OS voids all warranties and leaves you vulnerable to compatibility issues.

Lastly, while an exercise like this may highlight slimming inefficiencies, it underscores the compromises needed. Modern systems aren’t intentionally bloated; they’re designed for cross-use solutions that cater to a broader audience, with some padding for future scalability.

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The Bigger Question: Why Does Windows Need 4GB To Begin With?​

A natural reflection from NTDEV’s experiment is whether the Windows platform really requires 4GB+ RAM for a reasonably good experience, or if this is a product of over-engineered systems catering to the latest silicon advancements.
Here are a few reasons why Microsoft still recommends hefty specs:

• Universal Appeal: Windows 11 is designed to handle everything from enterprise-grade workflows to gaming rigs. This results in a "catch-all" architecture.
• Heavy Integration with AI: Copilot, personalized recommendations, and smart assistants all demand more compute resources.
• Modern Security Overhead: Tools like TPM 2.0 encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), and real-time protection are not lightweight by nature.

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Summing Up: What Can You Take Away from This?​

NTDEV’s accomplishment in running Windows 11 24H2 on 184MB of RAM isn't just a wild tech tinkerer’s dream; it's a call to reexamine how modern systems allocate resources. While such experiments won’t change Microsoft's ambitious AI-driven trajectory, they showcase Windows' ability to perform basic tasks on severely underpowered builds.
And hey, who can say no to the novelty of multitasking Notepad and Paint on memory that’s smaller than an MP3 track? If Microsoft wanted to reclaim some “cool factor,” they’d take a look at experiments like these as showcases of Windows’ adaptability.
What do you think? Is this just a bold experiment for the hardcore DIY crowd, or should modern OSes focus more on hardware efficiency? Let’s get chatting in the forums!

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Source: The Register Windows 11 24H2 can run – sort of – in 184MB

In a feat that's making waves among tech enthusiasts, industrious developer NTDEV has managed to condense Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system down to a marvelously lightweight package, running it on a jaw-dropping 184MB of RAM. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at the seemingly impossible system requirements for Windows 11, this news might just give your legacy laptop new hope—or at least a good laugh.
But before you start throwing your old PC a comeback party, let’s dissect what happened, why it works (kind of), and what it means for everyday users on Windows machines.

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Breaking Down the Bloat: Tiny11​

The star of this story is Tiny11, a third-party project spearheaded by NTDEV. Tiny11 is essentially a trimmed-down version of Microsoft’s Windows 11 designed specifically for systems that struggle with the hefty requirements that the official OS demands. For perspective:

• The official Windows 11 setup can demand upwards of 20GB of storage and requires at least 4GB of RAM (and that’s just the minimum!).
• Tiny11 slims this down significantly, reducing the install size to approximately 3.54GB while somehow running the OS on machines with less than 4GB of available RAM.

NTDEV has taken this ambitious downsizing experiment further, proving that Windows 11, albeit in a “safe mode” configuration, can function on just 184MB of RAM. If this doesn’t sound like wizardry, you’re clearly underestimating how picky Windows 11 normally is.

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Running Windows 11 at 184MB RAM: What’s the Catch?​

While the headline-grabbing reduction of Windows 11 running on such a minuscule amount of RAM is undoubtedly impressive, it doesn’t come without its share of caveats. The keyword here is “Safe Mode,” which strips the OS of its graphical prowess, peripheral support, and a host of background features that you normally expect.
Here’s what works—and doesn’t work in this configuration:

Pros​

• Minimal memory usage: The fact that the OS boots and the desktop framework is somewhat usable is a groundbreaking achievement for older, memory-starved systems.
• No bloatware: Tiny11 gets rid of all the pre-installed apps and unnecessary add-ons, keeping only the absolute essentials.
• A record-breaking moment: Booting an advanced OS at this level of memory efficiency is unheard of in modern computing.

Cons​

• Feature limitations: With audio drivers not functioning, no apparent internet connectivity, and questionable support for applications requiring DirectX or MSI package installers, usability plummets.
• Stability risks: Reduced system resources and unsupported hardware configurations could easily lead to blue screens of death (BSODs) or “bricking” your system entirely.
• No Microsoft updates: When you venture into unofficial Windows alternatives, you lose the supported update flow. This means no critical patches or security updates from Microsoft.

As NTDEV themselves hinted, this experiment is more of a proof-of-concept rather than a practical recommendation. Think of it as a tech enthusiast’s dare—don’t rush to replicate it without knowing the risks.

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What is Safe Mode, and How Does it Play a Role?​

For less tech-savvy users wondering what “Safe Mode” even means, think of Safe Mode in Windows as a minimalistic version of your operating system—it’s like sending your OS on a diet. Safe Mode ditches non-essential components (including fancy graphical elements and resource-intensive apps) and runs the skeleton of the OS to help troubleshoot problems.
When running Windows 11 under Safe Mode and such limited RAM, the system foregoes all the bells and whistles typically used in a full-fledged GUI (Graphic User Interface) experience. Tasks are left to the bare minimum. No resource-sapping animations, no background processes—just the basics.

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The Broader Implications: Does This Matter for Windows Users?​

1. Legacy System Revivals: A Pipe Dream?​

Microsoft has been strict in pushing modern hardware compliance for Windows 11, but projects like Tiny11 might open a window (pun intended) for people holding onto hardware that would otherwise be retired. However, with Microsoft setting October 2025 as the deadline for Windows 10 support, the junk-to-gem transformation of millions of older PCs might be limited to niche use cases.

2. Grassroots Customization Shows Microsoft the Way​

Tiny11's achievement shakes up Microsoft's philosophy of increasingly heavy and hardware-restrictive OS designs. It challenges whether we need such inflated baselines for basic computing tasks. Could this push Microsoft to release an official “lightweight” version of Windows for low-resource systems or older PCs?

3. The Risks of Unsupported Mods​

While Tiny11’s efforts are admirable, they carry substantial risks. Running an OS outside its hardware or software specifications is like walking a tightrope without a safety net. Data corruption, bricked hardware, and zero supported updates are just the start of the potential pitfalls.

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Windows’ Hefty Demands vs. Slimmed-Down Revolution​

Microsoft’s recommended specs for Windows 11 have been a sore spot among users, particularly those with older PCs. By setting the minimum bar at 4GB of RAM, requiring TPM 2.0, and mandating Secure Boot compatibility, many have been forced to either upgrade their hardware or stick with Windows 10. The leap from bloated system requirements to this lean 184MB marvel feels more like a daring experiment than a practical day-to-day solution.
Yet, this science project oddly resonates with a growing community of users who believe that even modern software doesn’t have to demand cutting-edge hardware. The nostalgia of squeezing functionality out of outdated machines, paired with the unshaken love for tinkering, may make Tiny11 a cult hit for the hobbyist crowd.

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Final Thoughts: Tiny11’s Big Splash​

At its core, Tiny11 isn’t here to dethrone Windows 11 but rather to highlight how adaptable—and bloated—modern operating systems have become. Running the OS on 184MB of RAM is more of an academic achievement than a practical revelation, but the energy and ingenuity behind NTDEV’s efforts are something to admire.
Would you trust this stripped-back Windows edition to revive your decade-old laptop? Or has this tinkering sparked the curiosity of the inner DIY wizard in you? Let us know your thoughts—whether you’re intrigued, inspired, or outright skeptical about Tiny11’s capabilities.

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Source: Windows Central Forget Microsoft's stringent 4GB Windows 11 requirement — A daring developer runs the OS on just 184MB of RAM, "possibly a record," but its usability remains anyone's guess