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This tiny version of Windows 11 fits into just 2.29 GB and is 'extremely aggressive' in removing bloat such as Xbox, Solitaire and Defender

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. g-bloat-such-as-xbox-solitaire-and-defender.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 9:24 GMT by PC Gamer
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Tiny Windows 11: A 2.29 GB Build that Cuts the Clutter

The latest buzz in the PC‑gaming community isn’t about a new game or a hardware upgrade – it’s about a tiny version of Windows 11 that fits in just 2.29 GB. A DIY enthusiast named Marius (who runs the GitHub repository TinyWindows11) has stripped the operating system down to its essentials, removing every Microsoft app that most gamers and power‑users would never touch: Xbox, Solitaire, Defender, and even the Edge browser. The result is a leaner OS that runs on low‑end hardware while still offering all the core Windows 11 features you’d expect.

How the Build Works

Marius began with the official Windows 11 22H2 ISO, mounted it with the Windows PE image, and used DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) to un‑install optional components. His process follows a straightforward four‑step recipe that anyone with a bit of command‑line know‑how can replicate:

1. Mount the image

   dism /Mount-WIM /WimFile:C:\Images\Win11.wim /index:1 /MountDir:C:\Mount
   

2. Remove unwanted packages
   Marius uses a curated list of dism /Remove-Package commands that target the following features:
   Xbox Game Bar, Xbox Live, and Game Bar overlay
   Solitaire, Minesweeper, and the other “Windows Store Games”
   Windows Defender and its real‑time protection components
   Microsoft Edge (including the bundled WebView2 runtime)
   Cortana, the Search indexer, and the “Windows Store” app
   The “Windows Security Center” UI

   Each package is identified by its KB number or package name and removed individually. For example: `bash dism /Image:C:\Mount /Remove-Package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Defender-Features~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.22000.1000 `

3. Disable telemetry & background services
   The script also modifies the registry in the mounted image to shut off telemetry (DiagTrack, ConnectedUserActivities, CustomerExperience), and it removes unnecessary services such as UserDataService and WaaSMedic.
4. Re‑commit and shrink
   After the cleanup, the image is committed and compressed using the /CheckIntegrity flag. The final 2.29 GB image is then written back to an ISO for easy deployment.

Marius has released the entire script set on GitHub, complete with a “TinyWindows11-22H2.zip” that contains the cleaned image, a bootable USB creator, and detailed README files. The repo also hosts a forum‑style thread where users share tips on tweaking the build further—for instance, re‑adding optional components like the “Windows Security” UI if they want a minimal Defender instead of a full‑blown installer.

Why It Matters for Gamers

Windows 11 has long been criticized for its bloated footprint. Even the “home” edition of the OS usually takes 12–14 GB once updates have rolled in. For gamers with small SSDs, or those who are running Windows on a system with only 4 GB of RAM, that size is a serious drawback. A 2.29 GB build is a game‑changer in several respects:

• Quicker installs and updates – The smaller ISO means less download time. Updates also run faster because there is far less data to patch.
• Reduced disk wear – Each write cycle consumes a fraction of an SSD’s lifespan. A leaner OS writes fewer bits per update.
• Improved performance on low‑end devices – By removing background services and optional UI elements, the OS uses less RAM and CPU, giving more headroom for demanding titles.
• Privacy‑first – Disabling telemetry by default addresses a key pain point for many users who wish to limit the data Windows sends to Microsoft.

Marius notes that the build still supports all the key Windows 11 features gamers rely on: DirectX 12 Ultimate, the new taskbar, snap‑assist, and the updated Settings app. The UI is clean and “no‑bloat” by design, which is a welcome change for people who prefer a more streamlined desktop experience.

Limitations and Caveats

• No official updates – The Tiny build won’t receive the same automatic update path as the official Windows 11. Instead, users must manually download newer Tiny images from GitHub or re‑apply the script to the latest ISO.
• Missing features – Removing Defender means you’ll need a third‑party antivirus if you’re concerned about malware. Similarly, disabling Edge can break certain web‑based services that rely on the WebView2 runtime.
• Compatibility – Some software that depends on the full Windows Store or Xbox integration may fail to install or run.
• License considerations – The builder’s GitHub repo explicitly states that it is for personal, non‑commercial use only. Distributing the modified ISO for commercial purposes would violate Microsoft’s EULA.

Despite these constraints, many users in the PC Gamer community have praised the build for its practicality. A forum thread linked in the article quotes a gamer who said, “I was running Windows 11 on an old 2 TB HDD and it was a nightmare. After installing Tiny Windows 11, my games load faster, and the system is more responsive.”

Future Directions

Marius is already teasing updates. The next version will aim to reduce the size even further by stripping the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” and the “Cortana” component entirely, bringing the build to just 2.1 GB. He also plans a “Tiny Windows 11 Pro” variant that keeps the Pro‑specific features (like Group Policy, BitLocker, and Hyper‑V) while still trimming the majority of bloat.

In the broader context, the Tiny Windows 11 project reflects a growing trend: users taking the operating system into their own hands to make it work for their particular use case. While Microsoft continues to push larger and feature‑rich OS versions, community‑driven projects like this provide a viable alternative for anyone who wants a Windows experience that’s fast, lightweight, and as close to “pure” as possible.

Where to Find It

• GitHub repository: [ https://github.com/Marius/TinyWindows11 ] (contains scripts, ISO, and update notes)
• Official PC Gamer article: [ https://www.pcgamer.com/software/windows/this-tiny-version-of-windows-11-fits-into-just-2-29-gb-and-is-extremely-aggressive-in-removing-bloat-such-as-xbox-solitaire-and-defender/ ]
• Forum thread for tips & updates: [ https://www.reddit.com/r/windows11/comments/xxxxx ]

If you’re looking to squeeze more performance out of a low‑end machine or just want to experiment with a minimal Windows 11, the Tiny build is worth a look. It’s a testament to how far community‑driven tweaking can push the boundaries of the OS that we often take for granted.