Tiny11 Windows 11 Builder: Lean ISOs, Two Modes, 25H2 Ready

A new, community-driven take on Windows 11 is rapidly gaining attention: Tiny11’s updated builder promises to strip large swathes of preinstalled software from Windows images, produce dramatically smaller ISOs that can run on older or otherwise unsupported hardware, and even block many of Microsoft’s newest inbox features — all while being explicitly prepared for Windows 11 feature updates such as 25H2. This isn’t a polished consumer product; it’s a PowerShell-driven image builder maintained by NTDEV that automates removal of inbox apps (Edge, OneDrive, Xbox components, Copilot, the new Outlook client, Teams and more), changes image compression to shave gigabytes off installs, and offers two main modes: a serviceable “tiny11maker” for everyday use and a more extreme, non-serviceable “tiny11coremaker” for testing and ultra-small footprints. (github.com)

Background​

Microsoft will end mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, after which feature updates, security updates, and general technical assistance for Windows 10 will stop. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 or enrolling in Extended Security Updates if you cannot upgrade immediately. That looming deadline is accelerating migrations — and also prompting community projects like Tiny11 to fill gaps for users with older hardware or specific performance needs. (support.microsoft.com)
Tiny11 originated as a set of reduced Windows images and evolved into a formalized builder (tiny11builder) hosted on GitHub. The project aims to create a deterministic, minimal Windows 11 installer by operating on an official Microsoft ISO, removing or excluding specific packages and leveraging more aggressive compression techniques to reduce both ISO and on-disk footprint. Recent releases (September 2025 and earlier) explicitly add removal routines for Microsoft’s AI and mail experiences, and switch to DISM’s recovery compression to shrink ISOs further. (github.com, ntdotdev.wordpress.com)

---

What Tiny11 actually does​

Two builder modes: tiny11maker vs tiny11coremaker​

• tiny11maker (standard mode): Builds a debloated but serviceable Windows image. It removes many inbox apps but preserves updateability and the ability to restore or install additional components after deployment. This is the recommended route for most enthusiasts who still want Windows Update and mainstream functionality.
• tiny11coremaker (core mode): A “quick and dirty development testbed” meant to produce the smallest possible image. Core mode removes more components and deliberately sacrifices serviceability and update support; it’s intended for testing, single-purpose VMs, or hardware recovery scenarios, not general daily use. Expect no Windows Update, possible compatibility gaps, and a sealed image that’s hard to change later. (github.com, windowscentral.com)

What gets removed (high-level)​

The recent builder releases remove or exclude a long list of inbox components that many users consider bloat, including:

• Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, and other browser/cloud tie-ins
• Xbox apps and some Xbox identity plumbing
• Mail & Calendar (classic), Office Hub, Photos, Media Player
• Clipchamp, News, Weather, Maps, Feedback Hub
• Copilot (AI assistant), the new Outlook client for Windows, and the consumer Teams client
• Various helper apps (GetHelp, QuickAssist, Your Phone/Phone Link, etc.)

These removals are codified in the builder’s scripts and release notes, making the resulting installer “lean by default.” The change to remove AI components like Copilot and the new Outlook client is notable because those features are tightly integrated into Microsoft’s modern Windows experience and are often reintroduced via servicing updates. The builder attempts to proactively block reinstallations where possible. (tomshardware.com, github.com)

Compression and final image sizes​

Tiny11 uses advanced compression strategies (historically LZX / LZMS, and more recently DISM with /Compress:recovery) to reduce the final image size. Practical examples reported by the developer and independent outlets show final install sizes on disk around 3–4 GB and ISO files capable of fitting on a single-layer DVD (4.7 GB) under certain configurations. Those numbers contrast strongly with the 20–30 GB disk footprint that standard Windows 11 installations commonly occupy. These space savings are real but come with trade-offs in time and memory during image creation — recovery compression is slower and RAM-hungry. (techspot.com, github.com)

---

Why Tiny11 matters: benefits for old and new hardware​

Reuse and sustainability​

For older machines that fail Microsoft’s strict Windows 11 compatibility checks, Tiny11 can be a lifeline. By dramatically lowering the memory and storage footprint and removing resource-hungry inbox services, Tiny11 can revive hardware that would otherwise stay on Windows 10 or be retired. That contributes to reduced electronic waste and gives users thriftier options for continued use. Several community posts and technical writeups document Tiny11 installs on low-spec systems and virtual machines. (neowin.net, ntdev.blog)

Performance gains and gamer benefits​

Removing background processes, telemetry services, and automatic updaters can yield measurable gains in boot time, background CPU usage, and I/O contention — all of which matter for gaming rigs and productivity machines alike. Gamers frustrated by background processes or preinstalled overlays may see smoother frame times and fewer interruptions when the OS image contains only the essentials.

Disk space and deployment flexibility​

Smaller ISOs make it easier to create portable install media, store multiple customized images, and deploy systems in environments with limited network bandwidth. For IT hobbyists or small shops managing many older machines, custom Tiny11 images reduce transfer time and make rollouts more predictable.

---

The trade-offs and real risks​

Tiny11’s advantages come with practical and security-related costs that anyone considering it must weigh carefully.

1) Serviceability and updates​

• Core builds are non-serviceable. The “tiny11coremaker” mode explicitly sacrifices Windows Update and future install flexibility. That means once the image is created, you may be unable to install later security patches or new features without rebuilding a fresh image. This exposes systems to long-term security risks if you rely on core images for daily operations. (windowscentral.com)
• Standard builds still risk update regressions. Even the serviceable tiny11maker approach can introduce fragility: Microsoft reintroducing or changing inbox apps in a feature update may cause reinstallation attempts or conflicts, and some removed components could be re-added by Store-based servicing. The builder includes preventative registry and package-blocking heuristics, but these may not be future-proof. (windowsforum.com, github.com)

2) Compatibility and functionality loss​

• Integrated features might break. Removing Edge, OneDrive, Copilot, or Outlook can break OS features that assume their presence. Search indexing, certain Settings panes, or web‑linked services may error if their expected components are absent. Some apps and system features have implicit contracts with Microsoft’s inbox components.
• Driver and OEM software mismatches. Heavily trimmed images sometimes omit drivers or system frameworks OEMs expect, which can cause boot or device issues on particular machines. Reports of boot loops and hardware-specific regressions appear when testers mix aggressive removals with preview or Canary builds. (windowsforum.com)

3) Security considerations​

• Patch gap risk. If you create a non-serviceable image or cannot rely on Windows Update to restore removed components, devices could miss critical security updates, exposing them to attacks.
• Unverified binaries and community builds. Downloading ready-made Tiny11 ISOs from unofficial locations introduces supply-chain risks. The recommended workflow is to build your own image using the official scripts and an authentic Microsoft ISO to minimize tampering risk. NTDEV and the project’s GitHub strongly encourage creating your own images rather than downloading prebuilt ISOs. (ntdotdev.wordpress.com, github.com)

4) Licensing and EULA questions​

• Activation and license compliance. Tiny11 modifies an official Microsoft ISO; you still need valid Windows licenses and activation. Altering installation media does not waive Microsoft’s licensing terms. Organizations should consult their licensing agreements before deploying modified images at scale.
• Support and warranty voidance. Using a community-modified OS image may void some vendor support options; OEMs and Microsoft won’t provide official troubleshooting for altered images. Businesses should treat Tiny11 as an unsupported, community solution.

---

Practical, cautious workflow for experimenting with Tiny11​

If you’re intrigued and want to try Tiny11 on a test machine or VM, use a disciplined approach:

• Backup everything: create full system images and export any important data.
• Test in a VM first: validate functionality on a virtual machine before touching physical hardware.
• Download official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft — do not use third-party ISOs. (support.microsoft.com)
• Clone the tiny11builder repository from GitHub and read the README and release notes carefully. (github.com)
• Run tiny11maker.ps1 in a controlled environment (PowerShell as Admin; set execution policy as required) and select the standard mode unless you explicitly want the non-serviceable core image.
• Use DISM/Rufus to create bootable media from the produced ISO and install onto a spare drive or VM.
• During installation, consider disconnecting from the internet to avoid Microsoft’s online OOBE (Out-Of-Box Experience) re-downloading components; reconnect only when you understand the system state. Community guides and NTDEV’s notes emphasize this practice. (ntdev.blog, techspot.com)
• Validate drivers, networking, audio, and any mission‑critical apps. Keep a rescue USB/ISO handy in case you need to revert.

---

Enterprise and managed environments: why Tiny11 is not a drop-in replacement​

Large organizations and managed IT environments should approach Tiny11 cautiously:

• Compliance and security teams will need to assess whether a modified image fits organizational security postures.
• Patch management strategies rely heavily on Windows Update and supported servicing channels; non-serviceable images undermine centralized update workflows.
• Device management via tools like Intune, SCCM, or similar may behave unpredictably if inbox components are removed.

For enterprises, Tiny11 may have niche uses (lab images, test VMs, demo hardware), but it is not a supported path for production fleets without extensive validation and clear fallback strategies.

---

Verifiable technical claims — what’s confirmed and what’s anecdotal​

• Confirmed: Windows 10 end-of-support date is October 14, 2025, and Microsoft has published guidance recommending migration or enrollment in Extended Security Updates. (support.microsoft.com)
• Confirmed: Tiny11 builder’s GitHub and release notes document removal of Copilot, the new Outlook client, and Teams in the September 2025 release and note the switch to DISM’s recovery compression. Building the image requires an official Microsoft ISO and is implemented via PowerShell scripts. (github.com)
• Confirmed: Independent outlets (Tom’s Hardware, TechSpot, Windows Central) have verified that Tiny11 can produce sub-4GB installs using aggressive compression and component removal, and that a non-serviceable “core” image exists for testing. (tomshardware.com, techspot.com, windowscentral.com)
• Anecdotal / caution flagged: Claims that Windows 11 runs on 100 MB or 176 MB of RAM originate from NTDEV demonstrations and are technically possible under extremely trimmed, non‑GUI configurations (text-only or command-prompt boots). These are engineering proofs of concept — impressive but not representative of a fully functional desktop experience. They should be treated as demonstrations, not normative performance expectations for general use. (tomshardware.com, neowin.net)

Where community claims are extreme (e.g., 100 MB RAM), expect them to be anecdotal engineering proofs rather than stable, supported configurations for daily computing. Those claims are verifiable only by reproducing the exact, highly specific build steps in an isolated testbed.

---

Long-term outlook and the broader ecosystem​

Tiny11 is emblematic of a broader user desire: more control over the operating system footprint, privacy choices, and the ability to sidestep forced or unwanted features. The project’s timing — as Windows 10 support winds down and Microsoft doubles down on integrated AI and cloud experiences — makes it compelling for enthusiasts and some pragmatic users.
At the same time, Microsoft’s platform strategy is moving toward tighter integration of AI, cloud services, and app experiences. That push will likely increase the friction between official, full‑feature Windows and community‑slimmed images. Expect an ongoing “arms race” where Microsoft changes servicing to reintroduce or harden inbox components and community builders update scripts to remove or block them.
For the average user wanting a leaner, more private Windows, two safer choices exist:

• Use the official lightweighting tools and policies Microsoft provides (enterprise provisioning, uninstall options, and feature management) where applicable.
• Or, for those comfortable with risk, experiment with tiny11maker in controlled scenarios — but treat core images as lab tools, not production releases. (ntdev.blog, windowscentral.com)

---

Conclusion​

Tiny11’s builder represents a practical and technically sophisticated response to the perceived bloat in modern Windows releases. It delivers real, measurable benefits — dramatically smaller install sizes, reduced background processes, and the ability to run Windows 11 features on hardware that would otherwise be left behind — while also introducing meaningful trade-offs in updateability, compatibility, and supportability. The project’s September 2025 updates went further by removing Microsoft’s newest AI and mail clients and by adopting recovery compression to shrink ISOs even more, making the tool explicitly “25H2-ready.” These are legitimate innovations for power users and technicians, but they are not a panacea: security, licensing, and long-term maintainability must drive policy and deployment decisions.
For hobbyists, tinkerers, and anyone dealing with older hardware or tight storage constraints, Tiny11 is a powerful tool worth experimenting with — provided you follow a cautious workflow, prioritize backups and VM testing, and understand the long-term implications for updates and security. For enterprises and general consumers who value official support channels, Tiny11’s core mode should remain a curiosity rather than a replacement.
Tiny11’s existence, and the conversations around it, underscore a simple truth: many users want an operating system that delivers function without excess. Whether Microsoft responds by offering more official, supported minimal images or continues its integrated strategy, community projects like Tiny11 will keep pushing for efficient, user‑controlled Windows experiences. (support.microsoft.com) (github.com) (tomshardware.com)

---

Source: TechRadar Goodbye, Windows 11 bloatware – this lightweight version of the OS is here to save the day for older and new hardware