Nano11 Archives

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Lone developer shrinks Window 7 down to 69 MB, claims ‘virtually nothing can run’ but that it does actually boot

A tech enthusiast known as @XenoPanther has created a minimalist version of Windows 7 that is only 69 MB in size, but it has critical missing files that prevent most functions from running. This version is described as more of a curiosity than a practical operating system. Additionally, there is a 100 MB version of Windows 11 that lacks a graphical user interface, and the nano11 project compresses Windows 11 to 2.29 GB by removing unnecessary components. Tools like Rufus assist users in transitioning to Windows 11 or Linux from Windows 10.

Winsage

September 29, 2025

Windows 95 was too fat to install itself so slim 3.1 helped

Microsoft chose to use a miniature version of Windows 3.1 for the installation of Windows 95 instead of a compact version of Windows 95 due to engineering practicality and user experience considerations. The 16-bit application of Windows 3.1 facilitated file copying and settings migration during the setup process initiated from MS-DOS. Developing a miniaturized Windows 95 would have been challenging due to delays in its development and would have required more resources. Additionally, using Windows 3.1 allowed the installation to be completed with only one floppy disk and minimized the number of reboots required, adhering to user experience priorities at the time.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Here’s how I installed Windows 11 using a nano-sized 2.4GB ISO — final install weighed in at a mere 8.36GB, two-thirds the size of a normal Windows install, courtesy of Nano11 Builder

The author is transitioning to Windows 11 and is waiting to complete an IT request form. They are primarily a Linux and Raspberry Pi enthusiast but are interested in Windows 11 for video editing with DaVinci Resolve. The standard Microsoft Windows 11 ISO is 5,695,402KB (5.69GB), while the Tiny version is 10,865,098,752KB (10.1GB) and 59.1% smaller, and the Nano version is 8,984,236,032KB (8.36GB) and 66.2% smaller. The author used a VirtualBox virtual machine with 8GB of RAM and a Lenovo X220 for installations. The Nano and Tiny ISOs installed smoothly, while the full ISO faced issues despite meeting specifications. The Nano installation initially crashed at 75%, but after following a guide and reverting to an older setup process, it was successful. The author plans to submit the IT request form before October 14.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

This tiny version of Windows 11 fits into just 2.29 GB and is ‘extremely aggressive’ in removing bloat such as Xbox, Solitaire and Defender

NTDev has compressed the Windows 11 operating system to a 2.29 GB file, down from the original 7.04 GB ISO size of the Insider build 26200. This project, called nano11, removes features such as Xbox, Weather, Office, Solitaire, Windows Update, Windows Defender, most drivers, Bitlocker, Search, biometrics, accessibility features, audio, Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer. The OS can run with just 184 MB of RAM, compared to Microsoft's minimum requirement of 4 GB. A text-only version can be created that occupies only 100 MB but lacks a graphical user interface. NTDev previously released tiny11, which also minimized Windows 11 by removing additional features.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

Nano11 cuts Windows 11 down to a third of its size and I’m seriously impressed – but don’t try this at home

The developer of Tiny11 has introduced Nano11 Builder, a tool that creates a compact Windows 11 installer with files up to three times smaller than the standard version. This version, marketed as having "all the essentials, none of the fluff," lacks several core components, making it less suitable for average PC users. The installation process is quick, taking about five minutes, but the resulting version is primarily intended for testing or development in a virtual machine environment. Notable omissions include OneDrive integration and Microsoft Edge. Tiny11 remains a viable alternative for those seeking a more streamlined Windows 11 experience.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

Ever wondered how small Windows 11 can get? Meet Nano11

Microsoft is set to officially discontinue Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, urging users to transition to Windows 11, which claims to be up to 2.3 times faster than its predecessor. Approximately 400 million users remain on Windows 10, but the upgrade may be complicated by stringent system requirements and design flaws. Alternatives like Tiny11 and Nano11 have emerged, with Tiny11 designed for older PCs and recently updated to support Windows 11 version 25H2 by removing pre-installed applications. Nano11, a more minimal version, reduces the OS footprint to less than 3 GB and supports any Windows SKU, but once installed, it cannot be modified or updated. Nano11 is primarily intended for testing, development, or embedded use in virtual machines.