Tiny11 Archives

Winsage

December 27, 2025

Microsoft, drop your AI obsession and give us what we really want: a lightweight Windows 11 that nails the basics

Recent sentiments surrounding Microsoft are negative, with stakeholders expressing dissatisfaction with Windows. Investors are concerned about the slow uptake of Copilot features, consumers feel overwhelmed by unwanted AI tools, and gamers are disappointed with the stability of Windows 11 compared to Windows 10. Former Microsoft engineers advocate for a streamlined Windows experience, emphasizing fixes over new features. Tiny11, an unofficial version of Windows, offers a simplified experience by removing AI features and bloatware but raises security concerns. The rising costs of PC components make a leaner OS more appealing, especially as Microsoft pushes for 16GB of RAM as a standard. The removal of the TPM 2.0 requirement could help older devices upgrade to Windows 11. Essential core applications could include Calculator, Calendar, Camera, Settings, and File Explorer, with a browser and access to the Microsoft Store for additional software. Despite the appeal of a streamlined OS, Microsoft is unlikely to pursue this direction due to its commitment to integrating AI. The outlook for Windows in 2026 appears pessimistic, with expectations of further complications.

Winsage

December 27, 2025

Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed

Microsoft is facing significant user criticism regarding Windows 11, particularly due to its emphasis on artificial intelligence features, which many users find unnecessary and detrimental to performance. Complaints include sluggish interfaces, increased resource consumption, and a cluttered user experience, leading to calls for a more streamlined version that prioritizes speed, reliability, and efficiency. Users have reported issues such as slow file explorers and excessive RAM usage, often linking these problems to AI-driven functionalities. Community-driven alternatives like Tiny11 have emerged, focusing on eliminating bloatware and AI features to enhance efficiency, especially on older hardware. Microsoft has acknowledged user concerns and promised improvements, but the integration of AI tools continues to dominate updates. The company is also reconsidering its strategy in response to backlash, including relaxing system requirements for certain versions of Windows. However, there remains a strong demand for a lightweight version that balances innovation with core functionalities, as users express frustration over imposed features and a lack of choice.

Winsage

December 10, 2025

De-Enshittifing Windows 11 Version 25H2: Win11Debloat ⭐

Tiny11 Builder requires a clean installation of Windows 11 to enhance the user experience. Key criteria for any utility aimed at replicating Tiny11 Builder's benefits include disabling telemetry, removing preinstalled bloatware, addressing issues with Microsoft Edge (including uninstallation), and mitigating problems linked to Microsoft OneDrive (also through uninstallation). Utilities mentioned for further refining Windows 11 include: - Rufus: Creates installation media without requiring a Microsoft account sign-in or hardware checks. - MSEdgeDirect: Allows the use of a preferred web browser for accessing stories from Widgets and web-based search results. - ExplorerPatcher: Addresses performance and reliability concerns within File Explorer. Win11Debloat is highlighted as a utility that meets optimization requirements, having undergone changes since August 2024. The updated process allows users to launch a Terminal with admin privileges to download and run Win11Debloat directly. It features three modes: Default mode, Custom mode, and App removal. Custom mode offers options for app removal, disabling telemetry, turning off tips and suggestions, and disabling Bing web search, Bing AI, and Cortana, among others.

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

November 1, 2025

Someone squashed Windows 7 down to a measly 69.0MB, and I’m really impressed

A modder named XenoPanther has compressed Windows 7 to 69.0 MB, creating a stripped-down version that serves as a proof of concept rather than a practical tool. This version lacks many superficial elements, resulting in a stark interface, and still issues warnings about unsupported hardware. The project reflects a growing nostalgia for older operating systems, coinciding with an increase in Windows 7's market share.

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 31, 2025

Veteran Windows insider creates Windows 7 install measuring just 69MB in size — system boots, but has been pruned so severely ‘virtually nothing can run’ for now

A bootable version of Windows 7 has been created that occupies 69MB of disk space, developed by Xeno, a Windows Insider. This version requires users to provide their own system files for basic functionality and is described as a "fun proof of concept" rather than a fully functional operating system. The installer is a 7zip compressed file of 40.4MB hosted on Archive.org, containing a compact VMware virtual disk and configuration file. The current version has limited functionality due to missing critical files, but Xeno has received encouragement to refine it into a more usable version. There is potential for further optimization, as many included files may be unnecessary.

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.