Guide to Using Tiny11 Builder for Creating a Custom Windows 11 ISO Free from Unwanted Apps

LAST UPDATED 11/18/2024: With the “Tiny11 Builder” script, you can effortlessly create a personalized debloated ISO of Windows 11. This guide will walk you through the process. Microsoft has consistently been enhancing its operating system, leading to the point where a fresh installation appears somewhat meaningless. This is largely because the setup often includes numerous pre-installed applications, mandates a Microsoft account sign-in, and bombards users with unwanted advertisements right from the start. This is precisely where the Tiny11 Builder script becomes invaluable.

Tiny11 Builder is a third-party script developed by X user @NTDEV_. It downloads the official Windows 11 ISO and processes it to eliminate applications you might consider unnecessary (like Clipchamp, News, Weather, Xbox, Get Help, Get Started, Media Player, Quick Assist, OneDrive, and even Microsoft Edge). Furthermore, it utilizes an unattended answer file to bypass the Microsoft account requirement and deploys the image with the “compact” option to reduce its size. This ensures that you can perform a genuinely clean installation of the OS.

Previously, the developer would release a new “Tiny11” ISO with every Windows 11 update. However, for improved transparency and to alleviate concerns regarding using modified installation media, you can now utilize an accessible open-source script that anyone can review to see its inner workings. Importantly, the script exclusively employs Microsoft tools (no third-party software), incorporating Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and the Oscdimg tool as part of the Windows ADK to generate bootable ISO files.

In this tutorial, I will guide you through the steps to create a streamlined custom image that installs Windows 11 devoid of any unwanted applications.

Generate a Windows 11 ISO Without Default Applications Using Tiny11 Builder

To produce a Windows 11 ISO using the Tiny11 Builder script, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Microsoft Support website.

2. Choose the Windows 11 option found under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.

   

3. Hit the Download button.

4. Pick your preferred installation language.

   

5. Click the Confirm button.

6. Then, click the 64-bit Download button to save the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file to your device.

   

7. Download the latest zip file listed in the “Assets” section.

   

8. Save the script file to your computer.

9. Navigate to the folder where you saved the file.

10. Select the Tiny11Builder-main-zip file.

11. Click the Extract All button.

    

12. Now, click the Extract button.

13. Launch File Explorer.

14. Go to the folder where the Windows 11 ISO is located.

15. Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount option.

16. Verify the drive letter assigned to the virtual drive that has the ISO mounted.

    

17. Open the Start menu.

18. Search for PowerShell, right-click on the top result, and select Run as administrator.

19. Input the following command to allow the Tiny11Builder script to run on your machine and press Enter:

    Set-ExecutionPolicy unrestricted

    

20. Run the Tiny11Builder script by typing the following command, then hit Enter:

    & "C:\PATH\TO\SCRIPT\tiny11maker.ps1"

    

21. Press “R” and hit Enter.

22. Confirm the drive letter for the Windows 11 mount point and press Enter.

    

23. Verify the index number for the OS edition you wish to create the image for, then press Enter.

    

24. To finish the process and exit the script, simply press Enter.

25. Finally, type the following command to reinstate a more secure PowerShell execution policy and hit Enter:

    Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted

Upon completion of these steps, the script will generate a custom ISO file without unnecessary apps in the same directory where the “tiny11maker.ps1” file is located. You can subsequent use these instructions to install Windows 11 via the Tiny11 ISO.

As stated by the developer, this script effectively removes applications like Clipchamp, News, Weather, Xbox, Get Help, Get Started, Office Hub, Solitaire, People, Power Automate, To Do, Alarms, Mail and Calendar, Feedback Hub, Maps, Sound Recorder, Your Phone, Media Player, Quick Assist, Internet Explorer, Tablet PC Math, Microsoft Edge, and OneDrive.

It’s crucial to remember that while this customized image allows you to install the OS without many default applications, you can also choose the “Word” option to install Windows 11 free of bloatware and utilize tools post-installation to further debloat the operating system.