Many computers that can run Windows 10 can’t run Windows 11, but that’s about to change thanks to Tiny11, a new version of Windows 11 that not only reduces the hardware bar for entry dramatically but also cuts away a lot of fluff.
NTDEV’s Tiny11 was released on Twitter, and Neowin noted that it was based on Windows 11 Pro 22H2. (It’s worth noting that it continues the work begun by Tiny10, which implements a similar concept for Windows 10).
It’s finally here!Based off of Windows 11 Pro 22H2, tiny11 has everything you need for a comfortable computing experience without the bloat and clutter of a standard Windows installation. https://t.co/yM1Ip2ljjB pic.twitter.com/Tg5PWUZU1QFebruary 2, 2023
You get “all you need for a pleasant computing experience without the bulk and clutter of a regular Windows installation,” the developer claims.
This alternative to Windows 11 has been in the works for a while, with beta versions previously available for download; the developers are now confident that everything will go well with the final release candidate.
Tiny11 eliminates the security requirements like TPM and Secure Boot, which cause issues for many PCs, reducing the minimum system requirements to only 2GB of RAM (you need at least 4GB for Windows 11 itself) and 8GB of storage space.
Tiny11 is a minimal operating system that includes just the most essential programmes while leaving out unnecessary ones like Microsoft Edge. It comes with the usual suspects including a calculator, a text editor, and a paint programme.
The biggest roadblock are security worries.
So, to clarify, what is Tiny11? This “light” version of Windows 11 is the result of a do-it-yourself effort in which the developer has tinkered with the base OS and created their own Windows 11 ISO, from which the user may then instal the operating system. It’s important to remember that, just as with legitimate Windows, you’ll need a licence key in order to use this software.
The hitch is that you have to have faith in the developer’s honesty, since several such initiatives in the past have been carriers for spyware or even worse infections.
We’re not implying that Tiny11 is up to no good, but the fact remains that we don’t know for sure what changes have been made to the operating system here. Even in the case of an honest effort, mistakes may be made.
Tiny11 is obviously less safe than Windows 11, which is the primary concern here. As we’ve seen, it removes a number of security precautions that Microsoft has in place for good reasons, and it’s likely that it’s less secure in ways that we’re unaware of (that could certainly be one of the possible hiccups we just mentioned).
We can’t say for sure how safe Tiny11 is, therefore it’s probably better to play it safe and avoid it. But we can’t dispute that it’s a good concept, and some of the more adventurous people in the desktop computer industry would want to test it out on an old PC.
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