It’s been some time since I last explored Tiny11 Builder, the PowerShell-based tool that serves as a successor to Tiny11, designed to facilitate the installation of a more streamlined version of Windows 11 compared to the standard offering from Microsoft.
Understanding Tiny11 Builder
On the surface, Tiny11 Builder appears to be a straightforward solution. It operates as a script that generates a custom version of the stock Windows 11 ISO, which can then be utilized to create installation media. However, while its simplicity is appealing, the tool does have limitations in terms of flexibility. Users may find it challenging to customize the installation to their specific preferences unless they possess a certain level of technical expertise.
Fortunately, there is a silver lining. Users can reinstall any applications that Tiny11 Builder may have excluded from the installation image. For instance, if you find that essential apps like Clipchamp or OneDrive have been removed, you can easily restore them later. This is not the case, however, with the more extreme variant known as Tiny11coremaker, which strips out Windows Defender and Windows Update, making it impossible to reinstall apps or maintain system updates. For this reason, it is advisable to steer clear of Tiny11coremaker.
My last encounter with Tiny11 Builder was approximately a year and a half ago, shortly after its debut. Since then, the creator, NTDEV, has enhanced the utility by disabling telemetry and improving the removal process for Microsoft Edge. Meanwhile, Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 versions 24H2 and the recently launched 25H2.
My interest in Tiny11 Builder stems from its potential to mitigate the complexities often associated with Windows 11. I am contemplating documenting this utility in the upcoming 25H2 edition of the Windows 11 Field Guide, provided I can ascertain its effectiveness in achieving this goal.
While Tiny11 Builder is not explicitly designed for de-bloating purposes, its primary aim is to reduce the installation size and resource consumption of Windows, enabling it to function on older, less capable PCs. If it inadvertently contributes to a more efficient system, that would certainly be a welcome bonus. The key questions remain: How can Tiny11 Builder assist users, and how does its effectiveness compare to other utilities applied to an existing Windows 11 installation? It’s important to note that using Tiny11 Builder necessitates a clean installation of Windows 11 via an ISO created by the tool, which could pose challenges for many users.
With these considerations in mind, I decided to give Tiny11 Builder another try, this time utilizing Windows 11 version 25H2.
To begin using Tiny11 Builder, you will need to acquire the latest Windows 11 ISO, which can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft website. Additionally, you will need to download the Tiny11 Builder ZIP file, available on GitHub. Simply click the green “Code” button and select “Download ZIP” to obtain the necessary files.
