Tiny11: Running Windows 11 on Just 184MB 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