How to Create a Stripped-Down Windows 11 ISO with Nano11 Builder
You can build a small Windows 11 ISO (about 2.3–2.5 GB) for testing and disposable VMs using the Nano11 Builder script. This process removes Windows Update, Defender, many services, built-in apps, and most drivers. Only use these ISOs in isolated, non-critical environments.
1. What You Need
- Windows 11 x64 ISO downloaded from Microsoft.
- Nano11 Builder script (GitHub link).
- A Windows PC with administrator rights and enough disk space for the process.
2. Download & Prepare
a. Download the ISO
- Go to the Windows 11 download page.
- Select “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices”.
- Pick your language and download the 64-bit ISO.
b. Get Nano11 Builder
- Go to Nano11 GitHub.
- Click Code > Download ZIP.
- Extract the ZIP to a folder (like
C:\Tools\nano11).
3. Build the Stripped ISO
- Mount the ISO:
- Right-click the ISO in File Explorer, select Mount. Note its drive letter (e.g., D:).
- Open PowerShell as Admin.
- Allow scripts for this session: powershell
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process - Run the build script: powershell
& "C:\Tools\nano11\nano11builder.ps1" - Follow the on-screen prompts:
- Type R to run.
- Type Y to confirm.
- Enter the drive letter for the mounted ISO when asked.
- Pick the edition index (the script will list options, e.g., 1 for Home, 6 for Pro).
- Wait until the process completes.
The script will remove unwanted parts and generatenano11.iso. - Restore script policy if needed: powershell
Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted
Outputs:
nano11.iso: your new lightweight Windows installernano11.log: installation and removal log data
4. Install & Use
- Create bootable media from
nano11.isowith your favorite tool. - Install in a virtual machine or on non-critical hardware.
- The system will be barebones: no updates, Defender, or most built-in apps.
5. What’s Removed & Limitations
- No servicing (Windows Update/WinSxS gone)
- No Defender/security stack
- Services like audio, search, BitLocker, biometrics, accessibility features disabled
- Inbox apps (Edge, OneDrive, Xbox, Solitaire, News, Weather, etc.) gone
- Drivers: Only the basics remain (graphics, network, storage)
- No updates or feature installs possible after setup
- Use only for testing or disposable VMs
6. Troubleshooting Tips
- Can’t mount ISO: Right-click → Open with → Windows Explorer
- Script won’t run: Use the process-level bypass for execution policy; revert any broader changes when done
- Edition index confusion: Read the list the script provides and pick what fits your needs
- Unexpected ISO size: Language, edition, and drivers affect the output. Using LTSC and compression yields smaller results
Note: The result is a super-minimal Windows 11 that is static and should only be used for labs, offline testing, or disposable virtual machines.
