Developer manages to run Windows 11 26H2 with just 128MB of RAM, just 3.1% of recommended minimum
- ID
- 42482
- Status
- summarized
- Published
- 03 Nov 2026, 7:30 PM
- Fetched
- 04 Nov 2026, 12:27 AM
- Provider
- Tom's Hardware
- Category
- technology
- Original URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/developer-manages-to-run-windows-11-26h2-with-just-128mb-of-ram-just-3-1-percent-of-recommended-minimum-stripped-down-installation-can-access-desktop-file-explorer-and-notepad
- Source URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/feeds/all
Summary
- Score
- 3.5
- Created
- 04 Nov 2026, 12:28 AM
- Tags
- Audience
- developers
What happened
A developer got Windows 11 26H2 to boot with only 128MB of RAM, about 3.1% of the recommended minimum, using a stripped-down installation. The reduced setup can reach the Desktop, File Explorer, and Notepad, but the article excerpt gives no details on stability, performance, or method.
Why it matters
Treat this as an OS-trimming experiment, not a usable low-RAM Windows target: reaching Desktop and Notepad at 128MB does not mean File Explorer, updates, browsers, or dev tooling will work. If you build kiosks or thin clients, the practical takeaway is to validate your actual app stack, not just bootability.
Discussion angle
What is the real minimum RAM for your app on Windows, and would a 128MB boot test tell you anything useful before you try browsers, runtimes, and installers?