NTDEV Archives

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Windows 7 Shrinks to 69MB: A Minimalist’s Achievement

Enthusiast @XenoPanther has reduced a running copy of Windows 7 to just 69 megabytes, significantly smaller than the typical installation size of tens of gigabytes. This stripped-down version is mostly non-functional, lacking essential system libraries and graphical interface elements, but can still load the desktop and run simple console applications. Minimal versions of operating systems are useful for virtual machines and test environments. Microsoft previously attempted to create a lightweight version called Windows Server Nano, which was around 400 megabytes. Despite Windows 7 being outdated and no longer receiving security updates, the minimal file set can still run older applications.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 7 slimmed down to 69 MB

Windows 7 has been reduced to a size of 69 MB by a user known as @XenoPanther. This version is described as a "fun proof of concept" and can boot, but has significant limitations due to critical missing files, making it unable to run most applications. The project reflects a tradition among tech enthusiasts to minimize operating systems. Microsoft previously introduced a version of Windows Server called Nano Server with a disk footprint of 400 MB, later shifting to a base container image under 300 MB. Developers like NTDEV and the Tiny11 series have created slimmed-down versions of Windows 11. A 69 MB version of Windows 7 could still be useful for running legacy software without a full installation.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

YouTube removes Windows 11 Microsoft account bypass video citing a community guideline violation with potential to cause serious physical harm or death — “I don’t think Microsoft had anything to do with it.”

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, impacting around 400 million PCs globally, and encouraged users to upgrade to Windows 11 through full-screen notifications. Users can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of support at no cost by syncing their PC settings with a Microsoft Account or using 1,000 Microsoft Reward points, which is free in the European Economic Area. Advocacy groups criticized the ESU program, calling it ineffective and indicative of planned obsolescence. Some users are considering switching to Linux for fewer ads and less telemetry tracking. Third-party tools like Flyoobe and Tiny11 help users transition to Windows 11 by bypassing hardware requirements and streamlining the OS. YouTube removed a video from CyberCPU Tech demonstrating local account setup for Windows 11, and Microsoft is enforcing Microsoft account requirements during new installations. The creator, Rich, believes the video removal was due to YouTube's AI misinterpretation, not Microsoft.

Winsage

October 27, 2025

De-Enshittifing Windows 11 Version 25H2: Tiny11 Builder ⭐

Tiny11 Builder is a PowerShell-based tool designed to create a custom version of the Windows 11 ISO, allowing for a streamlined installation compared to the standard version. It operates as a script but has limitations in customization unless users have technical expertise. Users can reinstall applications excluded from the installation image, but this is not possible with Tiny11coremaker, which removes essential features like Windows Defender and Windows Update. The creator, NTDEV, has improved Tiny11 Builder by disabling telemetry and enhancing the removal process for Microsoft Edge. Tiny11 Builder aims to reduce the installation size and resource consumption of Windows, making it suitable for older PCs. To use Tiny11 Builder, users must download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft and the Tiny11 Builder ZIP file from GitHub.

Winsage

October 21, 2025

Developer creates Windows 11 version for older, low-spec PCs

NTDev has released an experimental download of tiny11 25H2, a streamlined version of Windows 11 for low-specification computers. This version eliminates unnecessary applications and features, reducing hard drive space requirements and allowing users to bypass the Microsoft Account login during setup. It is built on Windows 11 Version 25H2 and focuses on creating a more efficient installation file, providing a smoother experience for older computers. Key features include no minimum specifications for installation, lower hard drive space usage, and faster performance. Additionally, a more minimalist variant called tiny11 core has been introduced, which reduces installation file size by nearly two-thirds but cannot be updated through Windows Update. The developer assures that all image files are created using the tiny11 builder tool with Microsoft programs to minimize security vulnerabilities. Users can download tiny11 25H2 from the Internet Archive.

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.

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.