Hands-On Windows 167: Tiny 11 Builder

Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Host: Paul Thurrott
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Hands-On Windows, Paul Thurrott explores Tiny11Builder, a PowerShell script designed to strip down Windows 11, removing preinstalled apps, telemetries, and other system bloat, resulting in a barebones and highly customizable Windows installation. Paul walks through using Tiny11Builder, shares his own experience with the tool, and evaluates its effectiveness against common Windows annoyances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Motivation: Cutting Windows "Bloat" (01:54)

• Paul revisits his long-standing frustration with Windows 11, especially:
  • Forced telemetry, preinstalled "crapware," relentless feature updates, required Microsoft accounts, bad Edge behaviors, arbitrary system requirements, and persistent OneDrive prompts.
• Tiny11Builder is introduced as a way to "declutter or de-insurify" Windows 11.

Quote:
"About a year and a half ago I... made a checklist of all the ways in which Windows 11 is insertified, for lack of a better term." — Paul (02:20)

2. What is Tiny11Builder? (03:40)

• Tiny11Builder is a PowerShell script. Unlike prior utilities, it operates before installation by modifying the Windows 11 ISO, leading to a clean, streamlined new install.
• This approach does not work on existing installations (must do a fresh install).
• Origins: Successor to Tiny10 and Tiny11 projects; now script-based and open source.

Key Steps:

• Download Tiny11Builder from GitHub.
• Run the standard script (not "CoreMaker" — too aggressive, blocks updates).
• Review the script if security/privacy is a concern ("it's open, people have evaluated it ... works really well.").

Quote:
"You actually have to create new install media with it and then you install Windows 11 so you do a clean install, so you can't really apply it to an existing install. So that may be a blocker for some." — Paul (04:45)

3. What Does Tiny11Builder Remove? (06:00)

• Aggressively strips out most "Inbox" apps—including OneDrive, Edge, Copilot, and even commonly used apps like Paint and Xbox by default.
• You can manually edit the script to retain select apps before building the ISO, or reinstall from the Microsoft Store afterward.

Quote:
"The most notable items that are not installed, and this might be the most exciting part ... Microsoft Edge is not installed, Microsoft Copilot is not installed, and OneDrive is not installed." — Paul (07:22)

4. Using Tiny11Builder: Step-by-step (08:01)

1. Download:
   • Obtain Windows 11 ISO and Tiny11Builder (GitHub).
2. Prepare:
   • Mount the ISO.
   • Launch Terminal with administrator rights.
   • Temporarily relax PowerShell restrictions to run the script safely.
3. Select Version:
   • Enter the drive letter for the ISO.
   • Choose the Windows edition to process.
4. Create New ISO:
   • Script generates a stripped-down ISO.
5. Install:
   • Use tools like Rufus (recommended) to write the ISO to USB.
   • (Install as usual; process is identical to regular Windows setup from here.)

Memorable Step:
"There's two versions of the script. The CoreMaker is even more aggressive. Strongly recommend not doing that because you can't install updates after that." — Paul (06:20)

5. What the Finished Install Looks Like & First Steps (12:51)

• Windows boots into a minimalist environment: only File Explorer, Settings, Microsoft Store, and the bare essentials.
• No browser, no OneDrive, no Copilot, no Edge.
• Post-setup, Paul recommends:
  • Running Windows Update and installing all device drivers.
  • Updating the Microsoft Store.
  • Using winget to install missing apps (e.g., a browser like Chrome, Brave, etc.).
  • Manually restoring any removed apps as needed.

Quote:
"This is about as bare bones as Windows gets... There's no Browser, all right, OneDrive is not there, et cetera, et cetera." — Paul (12:58)

6. Addressing Usability & Potential Quirks (15:00)

• Some minor tweaks required for a smooth experience:
  • Widgets & Browsers: Since Edge is gone, widgets may fail to open links. Solution: Install MsEdgeRedirect (redirects links to your chosen browser).
  • Copilot Key: No Copilot installed; use PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager to remap the Copilot key if needed.
• No intrusive OneDrive prompts, Edge pop-ups, or forced system backup nags.
• Paul reports no problems running demanding software or games (e.g., Call of Duty, Xbox app).
• Updates continue to work, and no removed apps sneak back in during system updates.

Quote:
"So here we have this really clean version of Windows 11, highly customized because I did that and with the apps that I want and none of the stuff that I don't want." — Paul (20:40)

7. What Issues Are — and Aren’t — Solved? (21:50)

• Solved:

  • Forced telemetry (disabled via script update)
  • Preinstalled "crapware"
  • Edge nagging & behaviors
  • OneDrive backup issues

• Partially Fixed (with help from Rufus):

  • Forced Microsoft Account sign-in
  • Arbitrary system requirements

• Not Solved:

  • Constant, sometimes unreliable feature updates (inherent to Windows 11)

Quote:
"The only one that isn’t solved is the constant unreliable feature updates. And that's just... There's no real way around that." — Paul (23:55)

8. Downsides & Final Thoughts (24:30)

• You must perform a clean install—may be daunting for some.
• The default script is arguably too aggressive (removes too much); editing it requires comfort with PowerShell.
• A user-friendly UI would be helpful, but the current process is manageable and, after initial setup, low maintenance.

Quote:
"I spent maybe a couple of hours making this work... Most of the time I wasn't doing anything. It was just the script running." — Paul (25:30)

• Paul recommends Tiny11Builder for those frustrated with Windows 11’s behavior but adds: “It’s a little aggressive, but it seems to work great in my opinion. So definitely give it a shot.” (26:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "About a year and a half ago I... made a checklist of all the ways in which Windows 11 is insertified, for lack of a better term." (02:20)
• "You actually have to create new install media with it ... you can't really apply it to an existing install. So that may be a blocker for some." (04:45)
• "The most notable items that are not installed ... Edge is not installed, Microsoft Copilot is not installed, and OneDrive is not installed." (07:22)
• "This is about as bare bones as Windows gets... There's no Browser, all right, OneDrive is not there." (12:58)
• "So here we have this really clean version of Windows 11, highly customized ... and none of the stuff that I don't want." (20:40)
• "The only one that isn’t solved is the constant unreliable feature updates. And that's just... There's no real way around that." (23:55)
• "It’s a little aggressive, but it seems to work great in my opinion. So definitely give it a shot." (26:02)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Introduction to Windows 11 Bloat & Checklist: 01:54–04:00
• What is Tiny11Builder & How It Works: 04:00–08:00
• Demonstration: Step-By-Step Install: 08:01–12:50
• Post-Install Experience & Customizing: 12:51–20:30
• How Well Does It Fix the Problems?: 21:50–24:30
• Final Thoughts & Recommendations: 24:30–end

Summary

Paul Thurrott’s deep dive into Tiny11Builder is both practical and insightful. He underscores the tool’s effectiveness in curbing the most persistent annoyances of stock Windows 11, at the cost of a fresh install and some manual post-setup work. The episode is a must-listen for power users and privacy advocates who crave a clean, distraction-free Windows environment—and aren't afraid to get a little technical.