GitHub - ntdevlabs/tiny11builder: Scripts to build a trimmed-down Windows 11 image.
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Scripts to build a trimmed-down Windows 11 image. Contribute to ntdevlabs/tiny11builder development by creating an account on GitHub.

Tiny11 builds a Windows 11 ISO that is 3.7GB in size, and installs in less than 10GB. It is so stripped down it doesn’t even have a web browser, so it requires minimal updates, and runs great as a VM.

Personally, I use it for things like configuring Webcams or Controllers.

I recommend installing in KVM using a qcow2 disk image named Tiny11-Base.qcow2, then:

Install VirtIO tools

https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/archive-virtio/

To get VirtIO on there you can use a USB stick, or use PowerShell as Administrator to download:

$url = "https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/archive-virtio/virtio-win-0.1.285-1/virtio-win-guest-tools.exe"
$output = "c:\Users\User\Download\virtio.exe"

Import-Module BitsTransfer
Start-BitsTransfer -Source $url -Destination $output

Mount folders

This is so you don’t need a browser or to use PowerShell for downloading. I mount my local Downloads folder.

Guide: https://www.debugpoint.com/kvm-share-folder-windows-guest/

Latest FSP (Fuse for Windows) at time of writing: https://github.com/winfsp/winfsp/releases/download/v2.2B1/winfsp-2.2.26112.msi

Snapshot and backup

Shutdown and create backups.

This retains sparse file compatibility (a disk that can grow as needed).

  • Snapshot will give you two files. Point your VM to the second one to use the snapshot.
  • The backup command will backup the original and the snapshot.

Snapshot

qemu-img create -f qcow2 -b Tiny11-Base.qcow2 -F qcow2 Tiny11-Active.qcow2

Backup

tar --use-compress-program=pbzip2 -cSvf Tiny11.tar.bz2 Tiny11*.qcow2

Export KVM

virsh dumpxml Tiny11 > Tiny11.xml

Restore qcow2

tar --use-compress-program=pbzip2 -xvf ./Tiny11.tar.bz2

Import KVM

virsh define Tiny11.xml
  • Blass Rose@pawb.social
    0·
    2 days ago

    Makes me think of many Medicat tools (and others like Macrium Reflect) that boot up a tiny windows installation just to run a single piece of software.

    I’m used to Linux being used for that, so it’s funny when it’s Windows.

    • MIDItheKID@lemmy.world
      0·
      2 days ago

      I used to work IT in a hospital, and you would be surprised how many medical devices still run Windows 7 or even XP. Offline devices, of course. And behind locked doors. But stuff for scopes etc.

  • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    0·
    3 days ago

    Last time I tried this, it was fundamentally broken for some reason I can’t remember. Does it work again? Previously I had to settle on M$’s IoT install to strip out everything I didn’t want.

    • Fmstrat@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      3 days ago

      Everything has worked for me thus far. You can also add in elements it strips out after the fact. That being said I don’t use it for much.

  • notfromhere@lemmy.ml
    0·
    3 days ago

    YSK projects like this can be insecure and possibly contain malware or time-bombs or other nastiness. Not saying this does, but definitely something to be aware of.

    • Fmstrat@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      3 days ago

      Tiny11 scripts are open source and widely recommended, so I’d be surprised, but yea always possible.

    • adarza@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      3 days ago

      i think iot would be the ‘safer’ option for a ‘stripped-down’ install. void of nearly all the crud, it still gets updates (important for windows) and can still game and run anything.

      • notfromhere@lemmy.ml
        0·
        3 days ago

        Not sure if joking or not, but yes. Outside of spyware that is Win11, projects that customize distros could contain unwanted, malicious hidden software.

  • Pennomi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    Huh that could be quite useful, I’ll keep that in mind next time I need to do maintenance on a friend’s computer.

    Can it be easily set up without a Microsoft account?

    • Skunk@jlai.lu
      0·
      3 days ago

      Yes it can. If you create a bootable usb with Rufus you can even create the local account before launching the install.

      • Pennomi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        3 days ago

        Yeah I’ve used Rufus before to provision large numbers of windows machines… if this helps preserve the local account setup that’s a big deal to my workflow.

    • rem26_art@fedia.io
      0·
      3 days ago

      I set one up in a VM last year and it didn’t need a MS account as far as I remember (been a while since I’ve needed to boot it up)

  • Tiritibambix@lemmy.ml
    0·
    3 days ago

    I use it on my main computer for video / photo / audio editing and gaming.

    It’s been a year and I can’t complain.