NTDEV’s tiny11 25H2 — a stripped-down Windows 11 build that promises to revive older PCs and bypass Microsoft’s tighter setup rules — has re-entered the Windows conversation, offering a fast, low-footprint alternative to full Windows 11 installs while also raising serious questions about security, supportability, and licensing. The project ships as two flavors: a serviceable tiny11 that preserves updateability and many Windows features, and an ultra-minimal tiny11 core that sacrifices servicing and Windows Update for the smallest possible footprint. Both variants are created using NTDEV’s open PowerShell builder, which operates on an official Microsoft ISO and automates removal of inbox apps, services, and features to produce compact, fast images that can be installed on machines that would normally fail Windows 11’s hardware checks.
Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, leaving a large installed base facing an upgrade decision: move to Windows 11 or run on an unsupported platform. Microsoft’s official guidance points users toward Windows 11 or to Extended Security Updates (ESU) where available. Those hardware requirements — TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, 4 GB RAM minimum and other checks — have left many older machines unable to upgrade without workarounds. Enter tiny11: a community-driven approach that converts an official Windows 11 ISO into a leaner installer by removing or disabling a long list of inbox components (Edge, OneDrive, the modern Outlook client, Xbox apps, Copilot/AI plumbing and more). The result: dramatically smaller ISOs, reduced disk usage after install, and a system that often feels snappier on low-spec hardware. Industry coverage and the upstream GitHub project describe a builder that intentionally offers two modes — a recommended “tiny11maker” that keeps the image serviceable, and a “tiny11coremaker” that strips almost everything and cannot be serviced or updated via Windows Update.
The tiny11 project is an impressive technical achievement that reframes how we think about Windows’ bloat and minimum requirements. It also highlights an uncomfortable truth: software can be shaped to meet many hardware realities, but supportability and security are choices as much as they are engineering problems. For users who must keep vintage hardware alive beyond Microsoft’s official support windows, tiny11 is a useful tool — but it must be used with respect for its limits and with a clear mitigation plan for the long-term risks.
Source: bangkokpost.com Developer creates Windows 11 version for older, low-spec PCs
Background / Overview
Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, leaving a large installed base facing an upgrade decision: move to Windows 11 or run on an unsupported platform. Microsoft’s official guidance points users toward Windows 11 or to Extended Security Updates (ESU) where available. Those hardware requirements — TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, 4 GB RAM minimum and other checks — have left many older machines unable to upgrade without workarounds. Enter tiny11: a community-driven approach that converts an official Windows 11 ISO into a leaner installer by removing or disabling a long list of inbox components (Edge, OneDrive, the modern Outlook client, Xbox apps, Copilot/AI plumbing and more). The result: dramatically smaller ISOs, reduced disk usage after install, and a system that often feels snappier on low-spec hardware. Industry coverage and the upstream GitHub project describe a builder that intentionally offers two modes — a recommended “tiny11maker” that keeps the image serviceable, and a “tiny11coremaker” that strips almost everything and cannot be serviced or updated via Windows Update. What tiny11 25H2 actually is
The components and the builder
- tiny11maker (regular mode): removes many inbox apps and telemetry while preserving the Windows Component Store (WinSxS) so the image can be serviced, updated, or have features/languages added later. This mode aims to keep Windows Update functional and is positioned as the practical option for daily use.
- tiny11 core (core mode): removes more than the regular build — notably WinSxS and several servicing/restore components — producing a much smaller image that cannot be serviced or updated with normal Windows Update. This is explicitly intended for testing, VMs, or offline single-purpose systems, not primary production devices.
Why the 25H2 tag matters
The tiny11 25H2 announcement reflects compatibility with Windows 11 Version 25H2 (the 2025 feature update), which Microsoft published as an enablement package for devices already on 24H2 and as a full update for other baselines. NTDEV’s builder has been updated to recognize and process newer feature sets, and maintainers claim removals tuned for Microsoft’s continuing push of AI experiences and new inbox apps. Independent coverage confirms the builder’s 25H2 readiness and its focus on removing recent AI/communications components.How tiny11 achieves small size and broad compatibility
Aggressive removal + modern compression
tiny11’s space savings come from two vectors:- Surgical removal of inbox applications, telemetry agents, and optional platform components that are non-essential for many users.
- Recovery/LZMS compression applied during image creation to produce a much smaller ISO and on-disk footprint than a full Windows 11 install.
Bypassing hardware checks and OOBE friction
tiny11/its builder can include an unattended answer file and uses safe, documented Microsoft tooling (DISM, oscdimg) to alter the install experience. That enables:- Skipping the forced Microsoft Account sign-in during OOBE, by pre-seeding a local account or using an unattended setup. The GitHub README documents an autounattend file used for this purpose.
- Installing on hardware that would otherwise fail TPM/Secure Boot/CPU checks, either by removing those checks on the installer path (autounattend or registry LabConfig techniques) or by pre-building an image that expects an environment without those checks.
Tiny11 core vs tiny11 (serviceable): the trade-offs
tiny11 (serviceable)
- Pros: Windows Update remains possible; image is more maintainable; safer for everyday use; supports adding languages and some features later.
- Cons: Slightly larger footprint than core mode; still removes many convenience features and inbox apps.
tiny11 core (ultra-minimal)
- Pros: Much smaller install image, minimal disk footprint, great for single-purpose VMs or offline recovery tasks.
- Cons: No Windows Update, WinSxS removed, limited ability to add/update components — not recommended for daily drivers or systems that connect to the internet for anything sensitive. The project explicitly warns users that core images are for testing or air-gapped use.
Security, updateability, and supportability — the real costs
Windows Update and security patches
A core selling point for NTDEV’s regular tiny11 is that the builder can produce an image that still accepts updates. However, this depends on which builder script and options you use. The core flavor removes servicing components, making in-place updates impossible; even the serviceable flavor can be fragile if Microsoft changes the way some inbox apps are reintroduced via servicing. Independent coverage confirms that the project actively tries to block re-installation of removed inbox apps, but Microsoft’s servicing flow can sometimes reintroduce them.Attack surface and feature removal
Removing telemetry, built-in cloud components, and Microsoft’s AI features reduces background services and may lower the attack surface in some cases — but it also removes some security protections and integration points that Microsoft’s defenders rely on. Stripping or disabling Defender components, WinRE, or Windows Update (as the core mode does) is a clear security downgrade for any device exposed to the internet. Community advisories treat core-mode installs as acceptable only for offline or isolated systems.Activation and licensing complexity
tiny11 builder works from an official Microsoft ISO — it does not provide license keys. Activation behavior depends on the target machine’s history:- OEM-embedded keys in UEFI/BIOS will typically allow automatic activation when the same edition is installed.
- Digital licenses linked to Microsoft accounts will reactivate for familiar hardware.
- Installing a trimmed image on hardware without a valid license or on unsupported hardware could result in activation prompts or limited functionality until a valid license is applied.
Distribution, trust and legality — what to watch for
Building vs downloading: trust matters
NTDEV publishes the builder so that technically competent users can create a tiny11 ISO from a fresh, official Windows 11 ISO. That method maximizes trust: you start with a Microsoft-provided image and locally apply the scripted removals. The GitHub project encourages this approach. By contrast, downloading a third-party tiny11 ISO from archive sites or torrent feeds carries greater risk: a ready-made ISO could have been tampered with, pre-activated, bundled with malware, or otherwise altered. Community posts show users often retrieve tiny11 images from the Internet Archive, but moderators and security-focused commentators recommend building your own image if you care about integrity. If you choose to download a pre-made image, verify checksums where possible and scan the file before use.Licensing, EULA and redistribution
The GitHub builder’s workflow is to operate on an official Microsoft ISO — NTDEV’s code does not embed product keys or claim to change Microsoft licensing. However, redistributing modified Microsoft binaries or ISOs may raise legal and policy concerns under Microsoft’s license terms; the safe path is to use the builder with an ISO you legitimately own or downloaded from Microsoft yourself. The project’s README, and multiple coverage articles, emphasize that users can (and arguably should) produce their own images rather than rely on untrusted downloads.Real-world testing and community feedback
Community-driven testing over the past year shows a mixed bag:- Many users report that tiny11 boots and performs noticeably faster on older hardware, with lower storage usage and snappier UI response when leftover services are minimal.
- Others report installation issues on specific devices and UEFI/BIOS incompatibilities; some older motherboards still require UEFI with Secure Boot or other firmware features to fully boot Windows 11 (even trimmed). Community threads show users troubleshooting installer errors and offering workarounds such as using Rufus to create specialized boot media or enabling legacy boot options.
- Reports consistently warn that tiny11 core is not for production: it lacks Windows Update and WinRE and can be fragile. The developer and tech press reiterate this as an explicit warning.
Alternatives to tiny11 for extending older hardware life
Before committing to a trimmed Windows image, consider alternatives that carry different trade-offs:- Upgrade hardware — cheapest long-term support path if possible (SSD, RAM, or a modern TPM-enabled motherboard).
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 — temporary safety net in select regions and with qualifying conditions.
- ChromeOS Flex — web-first, low-maintenance option for older laptops; limited in running native Windows applications.
- Lightweight Linux distributions (Lubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin) — provide full support and security updates on very old hardware, but require app migration for Windows-only software.
Practical recommendations — how to evaluate tiny11 for your use case
- Decide purpose first. For daily internet-connected work machines, prefer the serviceable tiny11maker approach if you must use a trimmed Windows — and be deliberate in what you remove. For VMs, repair disks, or offline testbeds, tiny11 core may be appropriate.
- Build locally from an official ISO. Avoid pre-built ISOs from unknown sources. Use the GitHub tiny11builder repository and follow its instructions to create your own image from a Microsoft-supplied ISO. This materially reduces the risk of tampering.
- Back up everything and test first. Create a full disk image of your current machine (Macrium, built-in Windows imaging, etc. and test tiny11 in a VM before committing to bare-metal deployment.
- Preserve activation credentials. Retrieve OEM keys (if present) or ensure you have the retail key/digital license information handy before install. Microsoft’s activation tooling and guides explain retrieval and reapplication steps.
- Plan for security. If you use a core image or decide to disable Defender/Update components, adopt compensating controls: offline-only operation, network isolation, or alternative patching strategies. Never use a non-serviceable image as your primary connected workstation.
Strengths, weaknesses, and risks — a candid assessment
Notable strengths
- Revives older hardware: tiny11 opens a practical upgrade path for legacy laptops and desktops otherwise blocked by Windows 11 minimum checks.
- Reduced resource usage: smaller disk footprint, fewer background services, and faster day-to-day responsiveness for basic tasks.
- Customizability and transparency: the builder is open-source; advanced users can tailor what to keep or remove and can inspect the scripts.
Critical risks and downsides
- Security trade-offs: core mode disables or removes update and recovery mechanisms, increasing exposure if the machine connects to the internet.
- Supportability: Microsoft does not support unofficial images; enterprise tooling and vendor software vendors may react unpredictably to stripped installs.
- Fragility: future Microsoft servicing or OOBE hardenings could break the behavior tiny11 relies on (OOBE bypasses and re-removal of inbox apps), forcing rebuilds or workarounds.
- Trust in distributed images: downloading prebuilt tiny11 ISOs from archives or community shares invites tampering risk; building locally from an official ISO is safer.
Final verdict — who should consider tiny11, and who should not
- tiny11 (serviceable) is a viable option for hobbyists, IT tinkerers, and users with older hardware that lacks TPM or modern CPU support, provided they build from a trusted ISO, accept some removed features, and maintain good security hygiene.
- tiny11 core is only appropriate for isolated test environments, quick development VMs, or offline machines that will not be relied on for sensitive work.
- Organizations and users who need guaranteed security updates, long-term vendor support, or enterprise-grade stability should plan hardware upgrades or certified migration paths rather than relying on community-modified images.
The tiny11 project is an impressive technical achievement that reframes how we think about Windows’ bloat and minimum requirements. It also highlights an uncomfortable truth: software can be shaped to meet many hardware realities, but supportability and security are choices as much as they are engineering problems. For users who must keep vintage hardware alive beyond Microsoft’s official support windows, tiny11 is a useful tool — but it must be used with respect for its limits and with a clear mitigation plan for the long-term risks.
Source: bangkokpost.com Developer creates Windows 11 version for older, low-spec PCs
