Considering a Fresh PC for Windows 11? Ponder twice
In an unexpected turn of events, a 20-year-old Sun Workstation from 2005 has been successfully running Windows 11, thanks to a groundbreaking project called "Tiny11" by ntdevlabs.
The Tiny11 project, designed to strip the cruft from Windows 11, includes the removal of the hardware compatibility checker, making it possible to run the operating system on older hardware, such as the Sun Workstation in question, which features a 64-bit AMD Opteron processor.
For those interested in replicating this feat, ntdevlabs has produced a Tiny11Builder script, available on GitHub. This script was used by Sean from Action Retro to install Windows 11 on the 2005 Sun Workstation. The Tiny11Builder script is a PowerShell-based solution designed to create a trimmed-down Windows 11 ISO by removing bloatware, and it is optimised for older hardware. It supports any Windows 11 release, language, or architecture.
However, it's important to note that Windows 11 cannot run on unaltered 32-bit hardware, including certain Linux distributions and older versions of Windows. This is one of the reasons why the Tiny11 project was necessary to make Windows 11 compatible with the Sun Workstation.
The success of running Windows 11 on the 2005 Sun Workstation has sparked interest in the use of older hardware in today's digital landscape. In fact, many online venues are now offering advice on Linux distributions for aging PCs.
Interestingly, the Tiny11 project also addresses a specific issue with Windows 11 builds newer than 22H2, which uses the POPCNT operation. This operation was not present in AMD's first revision of the x86_64 instruction set. However, POPCNT is part of Intel's SSE4 extension from 2007, a couple of years after the Sun Workstation in question shipped.
Sean from Action Retro suggests that those with a 20-year-old Sun Workstation could consider using it to run Windows 11, demonstrating the potential of older hardware in the modern digital world.
With Windows 10 support ending, concerns about the e-waste created by Windows 11's hardware requirements are growing. Projects like Tiny11 offer a glimmer of hope for those looking to extend the life of their older hardware, making it possible to continue using it in a world increasingly dominated by newer, more demanding operating systems.
Haiku, a Linux distribution, was reported as ready for daily driving early last year, offering another viable option for those looking to transition away from Windows.
In conclusion, the Tiny11 project by ntdevlabs has opened up a new avenue for running Windows 11 on older hardware, providing a solution for those who might have otherwise been left behind in the digital evolution.
