Tiny11: Running Windows 11 on Just 184MB RAM – The Lightweight Revolution

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 A daring developer runs Windows 11 on just 184MB of RAM