Tiny11 shrinks Windows 11 23H2 down to pocket size
- Reference: 1701096365
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/11/27/tiny11_2311/
- Source link:
[1]We took a look at Tiny11 earlier this year and, while an undoubted technical tour-de-force, found the considerably slimmed-down operating system more a curiosity than something one would want to use as a daily driver.
In the months since, the developer – a YouTuber going by the handle of NTDEV – has fiddled with the image, culminating in the latest update based on the actual 23H2 release of Windows 11.
[2]
NTDEV's [3]previous attempt at a 23H2 version of Tiny11 was based on Windows 11 22H2. At the time, NTDEV noted that it would be possible to update to 23H2 via Microsoft's enablement package. However, a fresh install is tempting given that the latest release weighs in at 20 percent smaller than its predecessor.
[4]
[5]
In a nod to Microsoft's Windows numbering conventions of yore, the new release is dubbed Tiny11 2311. It retains, however, a footprint so small that one cannot help but wonder why Microsoft does not do something similar itself. After all, Microsoft sells the Surface Go 3, which has storage starting at 64GB, much of which is [6]consumed by a standard installation of Windows 11.
[7]Copilot coming to Windows 10 to help navigate the OS's twilight years
[8]Windows 11 23H2 is a Teams effort but Microsoft already spoiled the best bits
[9]Microsoft calls time on Windows Insider MVP program
[10]Windows 11: The number you have dialed has been disconnected
The developer [11]claims to have resolved many of the bugs and issues that plagued earlier versions of Tiny11 and, importantly, it appears that the Windows Update functionality is now working. This means the flow of fixes from Microsoft should – and we use the word "should" advisedly – keep the installation secure.
As in our previous look at the release, running Tiny11 2311 with minimal RAM is possible, although we can't recommend the experience. That said, cutting down on the amount of disk space required has a definite appeal, and the fact that Copilot is an optional extra – you need to install Edge to make it work – carries a certain attraction. Then there is the bonus of dealing with the onerous hardware requirements of Windows 11.
But just because you can does not necessarily mean you should. For one, Tiny11 2311 is not free – you will need a Windows 11 license. Microsoft also does not support it, and the company could easily roll out an update that comprehensively breaks the project.
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Yet the 2311 release is a good deal more stable than its predecessors and an option for users wondering what to do about their Windows 10 hardware when 2025 rolls around.
Otherwise, there's always Linux. ®
Get our [13]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/08/windows_11_ram/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZWTLNmlOlZaS4Dp6MQokxAAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://youtu.be/Jili3CD_74s?si=HaEiahlHtUEVbFfG
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZWTLNmlOlZaS4Dp6MQokxAAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZWTLNmlOlZaS4Dp6MQokxAAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements#hardware-requirements
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/17/microsoft_to_bring_copilot_to/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/01/windows_11_23h2/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/30/windows_insider_mvp_ends/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/23/column/
[11] https://youtu.be/qNB44yzWW6U?si=pYN7JGGSVizuTx5U
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZWTLNmlOlZaS4Dp6MQokxAAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Icon =======>
Perhaps someone wants to run Windows-only software on a system that's Internet facing and wants to receive security updates* without the bloat.
*and is happier with a system that may be pre-compromised by a third party over one without updates. That said, there is safety in numbers; the more people using it, the more looking for surreptitious nasties.
I would also like to read your source on "fleeing".
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98Lite was a fun and useful project along similar lines, as was some equivalent of that I forget the name of for XP.
I won't deny I've almost ditched windows entirely outside of work, but there *must* be a lesson in here for MS if they were awake. Offer a power user edition with the customisation and features *we* want as opposed to ditching bloat onto your system.
For the hobbyist inclined power user; Server 2019 makes for an interesting option. Install desktop features, disable telemetry, swap to browser of choice and dispose of programs you don't want. The resulting system largely resembles the Win7 successor that *we* want, and happens to have the server features as well if you really want them. The only weak link is sorting certain drivers; consumer installers for e.g. Radeon don't work out of the box... But you can extract the installer files and manuallly point Device Manager to the drivers. Works just fine.
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I put the Windows 10 version of same on a EUR99 (brand new) laptop sporting a whole 32GB of soldered-in storage, and it worked a treat. Why? Our corporate VPN is Windows/Mac only, but once connected I can use the device for SSH tunnelling.
-A.
All you need is Windows ♫
> which has storage starting at 64GB, much of which is consumed by a standard installation of Windows 11
Why, you don't need anything else, do you...
Re: All you need is Windows ♫
I hear notepad now has tabs. Surely with 60GB, you could have as many as 3, possibly even 4 files open at once. Maybe even two instances of notepad open at. the. same. time! So the OS can live up to it's name... Windows (note the plural).
The issue for most people isn't that the computers they would like to run it on aren't powerful enough - so they don't need a cut-down version of the OS.
The actual issue is the TPM 2 / Secure Boot / CPU version requirement for W11. Yes, you can still install if provided the device has at least TPM 1.2 and Secure Boot, but it absoloutely won't install feature updates, and could be broken by an update at any time. The latter also applies to modified installers created using Rufus or similar.
Apart from people who like playing with computers, I don't think there will be many people who want to install W11 on something really ancient and low-powered!
> I don't think there will be many people who want to install W11 on something really ancient and low-powered!
It won't be long until that will be your only choice other than jump to Linux.
-A.
Or I need to install Windows on a VM cos of that one internal app that needs windows - but I don't want to use 256Gb to run a single utility to reset my doomsday device
runs on old kit
So my x230 and x240's can run win10 happily, and win11, but if there is a cut down version that removes all the bloat that is not needed, could give those little things a nice boost.
Faffing with Mint on one at the moment and trying to work out if it is practical with the other half. Most things are OK, but still not sure and do I want the headache of not using Windows ?
Ob. Linux update reference...
Yet the 2311 release is a good deal more stable than its predecessors and an option for users wondering what to do about their Windows 10 hardware when 2025 rolls around.
Well, one could update to Linux.... (Bats eyelashes...)
It's a nice kick in the teeth
Shows Nadella just how much bloat is not needed to make an Operating System.
Unfortunately, however much I wish to salute this NTwhatever guy, his efforts are doomed to interest the same category of computer nerds that run Linux.
And they're not going to be interested in spending time on a Windows version when they've already got much better.
But hey, points for trying.
"and we use the word "should" advisedly – keep the installation secure."
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, a reference to that piece of garage OS and being secure in the same sentence, stop it your killing me..
Icon =======>
I can't possibly image a use for this. The rest of the world is fleeing Windows and this guy comes up with this?