“thinner” Windows 11. Is it really able to run on older PCs? Part 1
What kind of system is this?
This is a modification of Windows 11 that was put together by the NTDEV development team. According to the developers, many elements that can be dispensed with are cut from the main OS. The result is a distribution that can run on really old PCs and laptops.
This is its fundamental difference from the parent system, which is often called the most demanding OS from Microsoft in the entire history of this operating system.
How was Tiny 11 created?
It was based on the Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 distribution of September 2022, which the developers legally downloaded from the Microsoft website. In order to create their version of Windows 11, a team of enthusiasts removed a lot of elements that could be dispensed with. Among them is the Edge browser, which is said to be used only to download another browser after installing Windows. At the moment, its market share is only 4.46%.
Everything would be fine, but its absence means that when installing a new distribution kit, you will have to use the installation package of the browser you need. Of course, there is a certain inconvenience in that, but minimalism requires sacrifice.
As for the standard applications of Windows 11, there are few of them left: a notepad (without it, in any case, nowhere), a calculator, plus accessibility features. Naturally, the developers also left the Microsoft Store, plus Paint (well, how can you do without it, right?).
It is reported that the developers of the new version of Windows 11 decided to abandon the component store (WinSxS). Accordingly, installing something like the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) will not work. But tiny11 can install NodeJS and Docker (based on WSL2 instead of Hyper-V).
The advantage of this distribution is that it does not require the creation of a new profile; during installation, you can get by with a local account without registration and access to the Internet.
So it’s a pirate, right?
No, according to the developers, this version is completely legal. In any case, after installation, it will need to be activated. For its full operation, you will need to use a license key.
It is clear that developers can say whatever they want, but the supplier of the original operating system, Microsoft Corporation, has not yet expressed its opinion on the new version of Windows 11. Perhaps the corporation will simply ignore this event – it is not very significant for it.
Well, the development team posted the distribution kit on various torrent resources, plus it can be downloaded from other sources. By the way, there is another similar version of the OS from Microsoft of the same team – we are talking about a lightweight version of Windows 10. Many users have not heard about this, but in any case, it’s worth a try.
Okay, so this OS can actually run on older PCs?
We think so, but decided to test the distribution on our own. Last year we published an article about the ultrabook Sony Vaio VGN-P11ZR from 2009. Why? Well, just because it has only 2 GB of RAM and 60 GB of hard drive. Here are the full specifications of the device:
• Operating system: Windows Vista Home Premium
• Processor: Intel Atom Z520 1.33 GHz. L2 cache size 512 KB. The system bus frequency is 533 MHz.
• Memory: 2 GB DDR2 533 MHz
• Screen: 8 inches, 1600×768, widescreen
• Video processor: Intel GMA 500
• Storage: HDD 60 GB, ATA100, 4200 rpm.
• LAN/Modem: network card
• Wireless: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth, 3G (UMTS)
• Interfaces: USB 2.0 Type A x 2, docking station interface
• Slots: Memory Stick, SD
• Power: Li-Ion battery
• Positioning devices: PointStick
• Sound: Built-in speakers, Built-in microphone
• Webcam: yes
• Dimensions (LxWxT): 245x120x19.8 mm
• Weight: 0.6 kg
After publishing a post about this device, our team had the idea to spend some time with the device in the office and at home in order to understand how practical it is in our time. And now, it seems, it’s time to implement it.
Of course, even with an optimized OS, it’s hard to expect anything outstanding from a device that went on sale 14 years ago. But it’s worth a try – at least as an office workhorse. First of all, this is typing and communication over the network. We are going to use the device in weekly meetings, plus 1-2 articles to type and publish with it.
The advantage of the device is its portability. By the way, his native software, including office suites, just “flies”. As I said above, I somehow installed Windows 10 on a similar model, and still the system worked well, there were no special brakes.
The autonomy of the device is not bad, if you work in the “opened – performed urgent work – closed” mode, then it will be enough for daylight hours.
You may also be interested in these texts:
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→ How to effectively share the results of your work? About the “boasting” of a healthy person
→ Hyperscaling in 2023: what we did to support our clients’ business
At the moment, the system is already loaded and installed. In the near future we will test it and make a verdict – is it really suitable for low-power systems. So do not switch, soon the second part of this article will appear, no longer theoretical, but practical.
