Windows 11: developer runs system with just 184 MB of RAM using modified version

When we think about Windows, We hardly associate Microsoft’s operating system with efficient RAM consumption. However, Windows 11 has memory requirements that, although not light, are more flexible in relation to the CPU. To run the latest version, the system requires at least 4GB RAMalthough optimal performance is achieved with more memory.

But what if it was possible to run Windows 11 with a much smaller amount of RAM? This challenge was accepted by a developer, who managed to make the operating system work with just 184 MB of RAM, an amount far below what would be expected, especially considering the Windows XP era. The solution to this was the Tiny11.

Tiny11: The minimalist Windows 11 that runs on older systems

Tiny11 is a modified and extremely lightweight version of Windows 11, created to allow Microsoft’s system to run on older machines with limited resources. Developed by NTDEV, the project was specifically designed to run Windows 11 on devices with little RAM and low processing power.

In an impressive feat, NTDEV managed to run Windows 11 with Tiny11 on a system with just 184 MB of RAM. To prove this feat, the developer shared images on X showing the performance tab of the Task Manager of Windows, confirming the minimum memory consumption.

It’s amazing what you can do even with such a “closed” system as Windows.
Somehow I managed to make Windows 11 (through tiny11 and all that stuff, of course) run on just 184MB of RAM, which even though it’s in Safe Mode I still think it’s absolutely insane, and possibly a record. pic.twitter.com/IPK24LqjBJ

— NTDEV (@NTDEV_) December 26, 2024

The developer had already carried out a similar test last year, when he managed to reduce Windows 11 24H2 to a size of just 3.54 GB, enough to fit on a single DVD. Now he takes Tiny11’s efficiency to another level, demonstrating how the system can work on machines with limited resources.

System limitations and requirements

It is worth mentioning that, to achieve this feat, Tiny11 was run on safe mode of Windows 11, a very restricted environment, where the system consumes much fewer resources. This means that although the system operates with just 184 MB of RAM, it will not be able to perform many tasks simultaneously, making it more suitable for basic operations.

If you have a PC with around 200 MB of RAM, Tiny11 could be the solution to run Windows 11 in safe mode, as long as the CPU is compatible with the instruction set SSE 4.2 and have the TPM 2.0 enabled – a requirement that is difficult to meet on systems with so little memory.

What is Tiny11 and how to get the modded version

O Tiny11 is responsible for removing all pre-installed applications and bloatware from Windows 11, leaving the system with only what is essential for its operation. This makes it ideal for older computers that may struggle with the conventional version of the operating system.

If you want to test this minimalist version of Windows 11, You can access the link available on the Internet Archive and download the compilation. Installation can be performed on an executable drive, such as a USB stick, and is an excellent option for those who want to optimize the performance of older machines.