How to Create a Lightweight Version of Windows 11 for Unsupported PCs

The landscape of the personal computer market is about to shift significantly, as Microsoft gears up to cut support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. While Windows 10 may have slipped from its throne as the world’s leading operating system, it still powers hundreds of millions of PCs daily. This impending end-of-support date presents users with several upgrade paths, the most common being the transition to Windows 11.

However, not all PCs meet the hardware requirements necessary to install Windows 11. For those whose systems cannot support the upgrade but cannot afford new hardware, unofficial upgrade methods exist. In addition to our existing guide on upgrading unsupported devices, this article focuses specifically on how to create a streamlined and debloated Windows 11 image. This version is designed to perform better on lower-end machines while also being a viable option for users with more robust hardware seeking enhanced efficiency.

Important: It’s crucial to understand the risks associated with installing modified versions of Windows, especially when using third-party tools. If you’re uncertain about the safety of these methods or lack trust in the tool’s developer, consider sticking to unmodified Windows 11 images or enrolling in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued support for an additional year.

How to Create a Lightweight Windows 11 Image for Unsupported PCs

Begin by obtaining a Windows 11 image in the right edition and language. This can be accomplished either from the official Microsoft website or through the Media Creation Tool.
Next, mount the downloaded image by double-clicking it.
Download Tiny11 Maker from its GitHub repository and extract the contents into a folder of your choice.
Execute the tiny11maker script within the folder. Note that there is also a tiny11Coremaker script available, which creates ultra-stripped images. For typical use, particularly on your primary machine, it is advisable to use the tiny11maker script as it preserves key components such as Windows Update, Recovery, and Security.
Open Windows Terminal as an Administrator and enter Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted to enable PowerShell script execution.
Drag the tiny11maker file into the Windows Terminal window and press Enter.
Specify the drive letter corresponding to the mounted Windows 11 image and hit Enter.
Select the edition you require, such as Home, Professional, or Professional N, and press Enter.Important: Remember that Tiny11maker does not facilitate piracy. You will need a valid Windows 10 or 11 license key to activate the installation. Ensure you select the WeU that aligns with your license.
Once the image is converted, PowerShell will prompt you to choose the image index that corresponds to your Windows edition.
Allow Tiny11maker time to complete the conversion process.
After finishing, you will have an ISO file ready for use. This file can be written to a USB drive using tools like Rufus, following the guidelines provided (omit any modifications during Step 11).The newly created image will reside in the same directory as the Tiny11maker files.