Nano11 Builder Archives

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 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 12, 2025

Nano11 compresses Windows 11 install footprint to as little as 2.8GB — ‘extreme experimental script’ is 3.5 times smaller than Tiny11 and comes with ‘none of the fluff’

NTDEV has released the Nano11 Builder, a tool for Windows 11 that allows users to create a significantly smaller installer image. The Nano11 Builder can reduce the official Windows 11 ISO size from 7.04GB to as little as 2.29GB using a PowerShell script. If starting with the Windows 11 LTSC ISO, the installation size can shrink to 2.8GB. The tool strips away unnecessary components, resulting in a streamlined version of Windows 11. Initial installation may occupy 11.0GB of disk space, but further steps like using the 'Compact' command can reduce it to approximately 3.2GB. The Nano11 Builder is intended for experimental use and not for daily tasks.