Windows 11 26H2 Boots With Just 128MB RAM, 32 Times Below Official Requirements

Windows 11 is designed for modern computers with sufficient memory and storage to handle its operating system, applications, and background processes. Microsoft officially recommends at least 4GB of RAM, but one developer has managed to push those requirements to an extraordinary limit. In a recent experiment, Windows 11 version 26H2 successfully ran with just 128MB of system memory, demonstrating how much of the operating system can be removed while retaining some basic functionality.

The achievement comes from NTDEV, the developer widely recognized for creating Tiny11, a lightweight and modified version of Windows 11. The project focuses on stripping away unnecessary components and reducing the operating system’s resource requirements. This latest experiment takes that approach considerably further, using only one-thirty-second of Microsoft’s officially specified minimum RAM requirement.

For context, Microsoft’s standard Windows 11 system requirements include 4GB of RAM and at least 64GB of storage, alongside other hardware and security requirements. Running the operating system with only 128MB represents a dramatic departure from the environment Microsoft designed it for.

Despite the severe memory limitations, the experimental installation can still perform several basic operations. According to the developer’s demonstration, Windows 11 can reach the desktop, open File Explorer, display the Start menu, and launch classic applications such as Notepad.

The demonstration also shows limited multitasking capabilities, suggesting that the system retains more functionality than simply booting into a desktop environment. However, there is a substantial catch: performance is extremely slow. Even relatively simple interactions can become frustrating, making the installation unsuitable for everyday computing.

This is not the first time NTDEV has experimented with running Windows on unusually limited hardware. The developer previously demonstrated Windows 11 operating with approximately 184MB of RAM in Safe Mode. Another interesting experiment, covered in 2023, involved loading Windows 11 into the 4GB of video memory available on an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU.

The latest achievement also follows development work on Pico11, another project focused on creating exceptionally lightweight Windows installations. In a separate demonstration, NTDEV managed to reduce an entire Windows 11 installation image, including its installer, to just 699,811,840 bytes. That made it small enough to fit on a conventional 700MB CD-ROM.

Pico11 retained access to several familiar Windows applications, including Calculator, Notepad, Settings, and Paint. However, that experiment used a virtual machine with 4GB of allocated memory, making it very different from the latest 128MB demonstration. It also sacrifices important capabilities, including Windows Update and general servicing support, to achieve its remarkably small size.

There is an important distinction between making an operating system run and making it genuinely useful. These experiments demonstrate what can happen when unnecessary components are removed and system requirements are pushed beyond conventional limits. They do not mean that users can install a standard Windows 11 copy on a computer with 128MB of RAM and expect a functional experience.

Nevertheless, NTDEV’s work is an impressive example of software engineering and creative experimentation. While 128MB is nowhere near enough for a comfortable modern Windows experience, the achievement highlights the flexibility of the operating system and offers an interesting perspective on optimization. It may not bring older computers back into everyday use, but it certainly shows how much can be accomplished when developers challenge established hardware limitations.