Running Windows 11 on Only 184MB RAM: The NTDev Experiment

Imagine waking up in 2025, scrolling through tech news, and stumbling upon this headline: "Windows 11 24H2 Runs on Record-Low RAM Capacity of 184MB." Sounds like a plot twist straight out of a sci-fi novel, right? Well, it's real, and it has tech enthusiasts scratching their heads. Developer @NDTEV_, well-known for the Tiny11 project, has achieved what many thought was outright impossible. Let's dive deep into what's going on here and why it matters.

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The Feat: Windows 11 on 184MB of RAM​

For those unfamiliar, Microsoft has steadfastly adhered to strict hardware requirements for Windows 11. This includes a minimum of 4GB of RAM for the Home and Pro versions, 2GB for the Enterprise LTSC edition, and the infamous TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) requirement. But @NDTEV_, true to form, has spectacularly defied these limitations.
Using an extensively modified version of Windows 11 24H2, this experiment demonstrates the operating system booting and running on a staggering 184MB of RAM. That's not just a reduction—it’s an unprecedented record in the history of modern Windows operating systems. However, before you get too excited about breathing new life into your ancient laptops, it's worth noting that the OS operated in Safe Mode and barely managed basic functionality due to the heavy resource constraints.

How Did They Do It?​

The secret sauce here is a heavily customized Tiny11 build, combined with additional optimizations beyond the standard modifications already offered. Tiny11 streamlines Windows by removing bloatware and less critical features, significantly reducing the operating system's resource demands. Thanks to this ultra-lean configuration, the impossible became possible—though performance took a major hit.
Even though tasks like opening apps dragged at a crawl, the fact that something designed to require gigabytes of RAM could even boot and run on megabytes is a testament to both the creativity of the developer and the flexibility of software engineering.

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The Technical Lowdown: What is Tiny11?​

Tiny11 is a custom Windows 11 ISO modifier that strips down the operating system to its bare essentials. Here’s how it works:

• Debloating: Removes unnecessary apps and services, slimming down the installation size significantly.
• Safe Mode Boot: Focuses entirely on essentials for running Windows without a graphical user interface.
• Features Disabled: In these builds, background processes like Cortana, Microsoft Edge, and unneeded telemetry services are shut off or missing entirely.

However, what sets this experiment apart is Tiny11’s use in tandem with the Enterprise LTSC edition—a version of Windows typically deployed in industrial and corporate environments where stability trumps features. The LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) edition removes periodic feature updates, telemetric processes, and other flashy distractions. It's built for reliability, and as it turns out, survival in ultra-low resource conditions.

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Why Does This Matter?​

This accomplishment may seem like a fun thought experiment meant to entertain Windows tinkerers, but there are larger implications at play:

• Pushing the Limits of Software: While Microsoft sticks to its narrative of encouraging users to upgrade to modern hardware, examples like this challenge the idea that high-performance computing always requires high-end hardware. With proper optimization, even resource-intensive operating systems can adapt to constrained environments.
• Implications for Older Hardware: E-waste is already a massive problem. Microsoft's insistence on discarding usable older hardware due to arbitrary minimum requirements doesn't sit well with many. Achievements like this one are proof that software optimization could breathe life into aging systems instead of turning them into waste.
• A Global Accessibility Perspective: In regions where access to the latest hardware is limited, being able to repurpose legacy devices for modern uses becomes invaluable. Even stripped-down experiences on such hardware could meet educational, workplace, or basic communication needs.
• Developers vs. Corporations: Mods like this keep the tradition of developer-driven ingenuity alive. They showcase that power users can and will continue to challenge the rigid frameworks imposed by large corporations.

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Should You Try This at Home?​

The million-dollar question is: can—or should—you try something like this? The answer depends on your motivations and setup:

• If You’re Curious: Sure, you can experiment with stripped-down builds in a virtual machine. Tools like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation are a safe way to explore, as you can isolate problems and avoid damaging your hardware.
• Production Use? Nope, Sorry: Running a heavily modified system, especially your main OS, comes with risks. Features essential for productivity could be stripped away, or unforeseen errors could crop up. For example, compatibility with drivers, external devices, or updates from Microsoft could introduce significant hurdles.
• It's All About the Fun: As long as you’re aware that this is more of a tech demo than a practical application, feel free to tinker and satisfy your curiosity. But don’t expect industry-grade reliability.

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The Bigger Picture: Microsoft's Reluctance to Budge​

Microsoft’s insistence on enforcing stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11 has been polarizing. On one side, the company often argues that new technologies like Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and faster CPUs are essential for maintaining security and efficiency. On the other, users point to wastefulness and accessibility concerns.
It’s puzzling when we can see that with modifications like Tiny11, the software can survive minimally while still delivering utility. The debate over how thin an operating system can be without sacrificing core functionality is as hot as ever.
Some key takeaways include:

• Security Compromise: Stripped-down builds, like Tiny11, remove features that maintain modern security standards. Users could risk malware invasions or undue vulnerabilities if overly lax configurations are applied.
• What About Updates? Once you heavily modify Windows installations, you're typically rendered incompatible with official updates and security patches. For most users, this could effectively "orphan" their device from ongoing support.

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Final Thoughts​

This experiment proves that while Microsoft remains inflexible on system requirements for Windows, the do-it-yourself ethos of the tech world is alive and well. By wringing every last bit of efficiency out of Windows 11 through drastic modifications, @NDTEV_ has reminded us that hardware innovation isn’t always the answer—sometimes, the brilliance lies in making existing software stretch farther than thought possible.
Would you be bold enough to try running an OS on RAM that wouldn't even suffice for a modern smartphone? Or perhaps you're content with just applauding such a feat from a comfortable distance? Let us know on the forum—we’d love to hear your thoughts, bold experiments, and maybe even your custom tweaks to defy Microsoft's limitations!

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Source: XDA Windows 11 24H2 defies hardware limitations, runs on record-low RAM capacity

Windows 11 has made headlines ever since its release, and not just for its features, design, or improved gaming capabilities but also for its somewhat stringent system requirements. Among those requirements is a hefty minimum of 4GB of RAM, a specification that many older PCs and low-powered machines unfortunately can't meet. But what if someone told you that Windows 11 could, technically, run with just a fraction of that? I’m talking a jaw-dropping 22 times less RAM—184MB, to be precise.
Yes, you read that right! In an extraordinary (and admittedly quirky) experiment, a modified version of Windows 11 was successfully booted and operated on a system with a mere 184MB of random access memory (RAM). While this feat is neither practical nor officially supported, it raises intriguing questions about Windows, its scalability, and the ongoing potential to tweak it for extreme use cases.
Let’s dive deep into how this was achieved and, more importantly, what it really means for Windows users.

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How Did We End Up Here? Meet Tiny11 and NTDEV​

The wizard behind this magic trick is NTDEV, the developer of the now-famous “Tiny11” project. For the uninitiated, Tiny11 is a lightweight, modified version of Windows 11 tailored for resource-starved systems that might struggle with Microsoft's official edition. Tiny11 strips down components, trims features to the bare minimum, and optimizes the OS for speed and efficiency.
But NTDEV decided to take this optimization to a whole new level. The experiment involved installing a modified build of Windows 11 (version 24H2) in a virtual machine while dialing down the hardware specs to almost absurd levels—specifically, 184MB of RAM.
To put this into perspective, the original Windows XP (a famously light operating system by today’s standards) had a recommended minimum of 64MB of RAM, though usage at that level wasn't all that practical. NTDEV’s experiment essentially showcases that even a slick, modern OS like Windows 11 can descend to working at a similar scale, albeit with significant limitations.

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The Setup: 184MB of Memory For Windows 11​

You’re probably asking yourself, “Wait, how is this even possible?” Here’s a rundown of how NTDEV pulled off this feat:

• Modified OS Build:
• NTDEV used a pared-down release of Windows 11 version 24H2. Many non-essential features were removed to minimize resource consumption.
• This included disabling resource-heavy processes as well as unnecessary services.
• Safe Mode:
• The experiment was conducted in Safe Mode, which limits the OS to basic functionalities. Safe Mode essentially disables third-party drivers and applications, reducing its footprint when running.
• Virtual Machine Environment:
• To avoid bricking an actual PC, NTDEV worked within a virtual machine. Virtualization software allows systems to simulate different hardware configurations, making this sort of extreme “tinkering” much safer.
• Performance Limits:
• The OS could boot and even multitask in the most rudimentary sense—think running Notepad and File Explorer at the same time—but there were obvious compromises. Speed was glacial, multitasking was minimal, and the entire setup was only barely usable.

Still, the fact that it worked at all is what drops jaws.

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Why Safe Mode? The Key to Making It Work​

Safe Mode plays a pivotal role in this experiment because it drastically limits system requirements. Here’s how it works:

• Driver Simplification: Safe Mode boots up using default drivers (basic versions of hardware drivers like display, keyboard, and mouse). This cuts down the active processes in RAM.
• No Startup Applications: Safe Mode bypasses startup programs and third-party applications, further reducing resource demands.
• Minimal Kernel Features: Windows operates with a stripped-down kernel in Safe Mode, using just enough of the OS to ensure basic operability.

While Safe Mode is not how anyone would want to use Windows daily, it’s a clever (and necessary) trick for achieving this record low resource usage experiment.

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Multitasking, at 184MB? How Does RAM Usage Even Work?​

Here’s where things get a bit technical. RAM is where your computer temporarily stores data it needs at any given moment. Think of it as your desk—if your desk is small, you can only deal with one or two tasks before you find yourself buried in paperwork.
For Windows 11, the 4GB RAM recommendation ensures there’s enough space for:

• The OS itself.
• Background processes (e.g., security, system management tools).
• Typical multitasking, like running a web browser alongside Microsoft Word.

When you cut down RAM to as little as 184MB, you're essentially trying to work on a desk that’s the size of a post-it note. Here’s what happens:

• Windows prioritizes absolutely critical operations, leaving little room for anything else.
• Features like caching (using RAM to speed up operations) effectively cease to work, meaning performance slows dramatically.
• Swapping starts happening, where data the RAM can’t handle gets stored in the much slower hard drive or SSD temporarily, further degrading performance.

Nevertheless, NTDEV's stripped-down version of Windows 11 managed to juggle lightweight tasks, thanks to its Safe Mode simplicity and optimized, lightweight build.

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Broader Implications: Does This Matter for You?​

Okay, so it’s cool that Windows 11 can technically run with just 184MB of RAM, but does this experiment serve any real purpose for the average user? Actually, it might.

• Exploration of OS Scalability:
  The experiment underscores Windows’ scalability and modularity. If Microsoft ever wants to expand Windows 11 into IoT devices or extremely low-powered systems, such optimizations could be vital.
• Lightweight Windows for Legacy Devices:
  Imagine bringing life back to ancient hardware, where performance doesn’t matter as much but compatibility is key. Schools, emerging markets, and low-income communities could benefit significantly from lightweight Windows distributions—especially for basic tasks like document editing or browsing.
• Tinkering and Experimentation:
  For enthusiasts and IT professionals, projects like Tiny11 highlight the infinite possibilities for customizing Windows. The thought of creating DIY “de-bloated” OS environments tailored to specific needs is tantalizing for many.
• Hypothetical Emergency Scenarios:
  Ever found yourself needing just about any OS to boot for data recovery or critical tasks? A feather-light OS environment like this could be invaluable in extreme situations.

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The Reality: What’s the Catch?​

Let’s be clear: running Windows 11 on 184MB of RAM is more of a fun challenge than a practical solution. The limited usability, glacial speed, and mandatory presence of virtualization or custom builds make it impractical for daily use. Plus, this sort of extreme optimization usually comes at the price of compromised security, as cutting out features and services often weakens the OS’s defenses.

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What’s Next for Lightweight Windows?​

NTDEV isn’t stopping here. Past Tiny11 experiments have included:

• Running Windows 11 from a DVD.
• Testing Windows 11 on Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro.
• Creating modified builds that require only 3GB of disk space.

These types of projects will likely continue to capture the imagination of tech enthusiasts and spark debates on Microsoft’s hardware requirements, modular systems, and the future of operating systems.

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Final Thoughts: An Experiment with a Purpose?​

At first glance, this experiment may seem like a simple gimmick—Windows 11 running on a ludicrously low spec machine. But beneath the surface, it hints at broader possibilities:

• Could lightweight operating systems redefine the barrier for digital accessibility worldwide?
• Are we unnecessarily forcing users to upgrade hardware when modular OS builds might suffice for their needs?

For now, this is more of a conversation starter than a viable solution. But one thing’s for sure—when it comes to tinkering with tech, NTDEV and the Tiny11 project prove that sometimes less really is more.
Have thoughts on this experiment? Drop into the forum discussions and tell us—what’s the lowest hardware spec you’ve tried running Windows on?

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Source: Neowin Forget 4GB requirement, here is Windows 11 running with 184MB of RAM