Stuck on Windows 10? Tiny11 25H2 is here to answer the prayers of those who can't upgrade to Windows 11

• Tiny11 25H2 is here, a new version of the lightweight take on Windows 11
• The developer notes that "you can install it on any PC that supports Windows 10"
• This could be a useful route for those who don't want to stick with Windows 10 on their older PC, but don't meet the requirements of Windows 11

For those still mulling what to do about Windows 10 after support for the OS ended yesterday, there's a new alternative in terms of a potential Windows 11 upgrade, with the arrival of Tiny11 25H2.

If you've not heard of Tiny11, it's the lightweight and debloated take on Windows 11 that's been around for a while now.

This most recent version is based on the latest incarnation of Windows 11, namely the 25H2 update, as announced on X by the developer.

Tiny11 provides a highly streamlined installation of Windows 11 with many of the default features stripped out, and should run just fine on older PCs that officially can't handle the steeper requirements of Microsoft's newest desktop OS.

As the developer puts it: "[Tiny11] doesn't require a Microsoft account and it bypasses the system requirements, meaning that you can install it on any PC that supports Windows 10."

So, that's another benefit therein - you can use a local account with Tiny11 25H2, should you wish, which is a choice Microsoft is trying to rule out. (It already can't be done officially with a standard Windows 11 installation, but there are fudges to side-step that - loopholes that Microsoft is busy closing these days).

Analysis: a tiny step forward - and there's a DIY option, too

This is clever - if obvious - timing here. People who are keen on this lightweight take on Windows 11 have been waiting for 25H2 support ever since Microsoft pushed out the 25H2 update, and the developer kept it back to spring the release on the same day that Windows 10 hit its End of Life.

That said, version 25H2 doesn't really add much over 24H2, so it's not hugely compelling in that respect. Indeed, it's essentially the same thing as 24H2, but there are some useful tweaks here and there, and it's always good to have the very latest version.

Some of you may be wary about using an installation image that a third-party has put together to get Windows 11 on your PC, and frankly, you're quite right to pause for thought. While Tiny11, and Tiny10 before it, have been around for ages, there are potential trust issues with any software that isn't official - it's not like the 'long con' isn't a thing in the software world (see some Chrome browser extensions recently), and there's the possibility of some kind of compromise that isn't the developer's fault, even.

To the developer's credit, though, they acknowledge this and point out that if you wish, you can build your own ISO to install Windows 11 using Tiny11 Builder. That way, you get full control over what features are included in your Windows 11 installation - although this is a route for the more technically savvy, it has to be said, not computing novices.

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