Since time immemorial there has been a kind of challenge to make work windows versions on computers whose hardware requirements are well below what is established by Microsoft. Late last year, for example, someone managed to get Windows 7 running on a 5 MHz CPU through a virtual machine.
The challenge this year has come to Windows 11 22H2. A developer known as NTDev has modified the aforementioned version of the operating system so that it works only with 2 GB of RAM. Dissatisfied with his first achievement, in a more risky attempt, the enthusiast has also managed to run Microsoft software with 384MB of RAM.
Windows 11 doesn’t always need 4GB of RAM to run
In the Windows 11 requirements we find that the system needs, among other things, 4 GB of RAM and 20 GB of storage to save all your files. Well, NTDev has not only managed to reduce the use of RAM memory, but has also reduced the space required for its operation to only 8 GB.
Also, in its first attempt, this developer has removed the imposition of having TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0. As we can see, with this project that has been called “Tyny11” it has been possible to install Windows 11 on computers with non-compatible hardware, but not without paying a high price.
Obviously we are not facing a complete version of Windows 11. NTDev has had to remove a large number of items. According to explains the developer on Twitter, Tyny11 cannot be repaired as the full version of the system, although it points out that Windows Update does work to download drivers and security updates.
Windows 11 running with 384 MB of RAM
NTDev has also removed the Windows Component Store (WinSxS). As a result, it is not possible to install optional Windows features, including new languages. In addition, several applications have been removed, including Microsoft Edge, leaving a small group consisting of Microsoft Store, Calculator, Notepad, Paint and Windows Terminal.
It is curious to see the ability and ingenuity of people experienced in development to modify certain editions of Windows and, on occasions, get rid of certain components which may be unnecessary. However, it should be noted that using modified versions automatically translates into risks for the user’s security.
Even if a valid license is used, modifying certain components of the operating system may violate the provisions of the Microsoft license agreement. Those from Redmond, for their part, offer official tools such as the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) to adapt the system to specific needs.
Images: NTDev
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