In a surprising turn of events, a developer has managed to run an unofficial version of Windows 11, known as Tiny11, on the iPad Air equipped with an M2 processor. While Apple has steadfastly maintained its decision not to integrate macOS into the iPad, this creative endeavor showcases the lengths to which tech enthusiasts will go to push the boundaries of hardware capabilities.
As one might anticipate from an unsupported operating system running on non-standard hardware, Tiny11 experiences some challenges on the iPad Air. The setup serves more as a technical showcase than a practical solution for everyday users, yet it undeniably piques interest among the tech community. A video demonstration shared by NTDEV, the mastermind behind Tiny11, illustrates the operating system in action, albeit with a noticeable delay in booting and program launches. “Here is Tiny11 arm64 running on an iPad Air M2 using UTM with JIT emulation!” NTDEV remarked, adding, “And it actually works quite decently! Just imagine how it would run if virtualization would be possible without jailbreaking.” While the term “decently” may be a stretch, the mere fact that Tiny11 operates on the iPad Air is a testament to the ingenuity of its creator.
What is Tiny11?
Tiny11 is an unofficial variant of Windows 11 developed by NTDEV, who has a history of remarkable achievements in the realm of lightweight operating systems. Notably, NTDEV has managed to run Tiny11 on as little as 184MB of RAM and even produced a 100MB version of Windows 11 devoid of a graphical user interface.
This streamlined version of Windows 11 has been meticulously stripped down to its essentials, omitting numerous applications and services found in the full-fledged version. Tiny11 occupies a mere 8GB of storage on a PC, a significant reduction compared to the official Windows 11, which typically requires around 20GB. Furthermore, Tiny11 is capable of running on systems that fall short of Windows 11’s minimum requirements and utilizes a local account instead of necessitating a Microsoft account.
While the allure of a debloated operating system that does not mandate a Microsoft account is enticing, it is crucial to remember that Tiny11 remains an unofficial iteration of Microsoft’s software. Although the technical feats achieved in its development are commendable, it is advisable for average users to refrain from installing it on their machines. With Tiny11 being the brainchild of a single developer, it may be more susceptible to security vulnerabilities. Moreover, the removal of certain components could hinder the overall usability of the operating system.
Ultimately, Tiny11 is not intended to serve as a complete replacement for Windows 11. The tagline on NTDEV’s supporter page, “Trying stuff so you don’t have to,” encapsulates the spirit of this project. It stands as a fun and educational exploration, offering an alternative for tech-savvy individuals with older systems who are well aware of the potential advantages and drawbacks associated with this unofficial version of Windows 11.
