How to use Nano11 Builder to create a stripped-down Windows 11 ISO file

Nano11 Builder is an experimental, open-source PowerShell script by NTDEV that automates the creation of a heavily stripped-down Windows 11 image using only Microsoft tools (for example, DISM and oscdimg).
It removes built-in apps, core services (such as Windows Update and Microsoft Defender), non-essential drivers, languages, and more, producing ISOs as small as ~2.3-2.5GB and installed footprints of around 2.8-3.2GB.
The resulting system is not serviceable, meaning it won’t receive Windows updates, cannot add back components, and does not support language packs.

You can now use the Nano11 Builder script to create a custom Windows 11 ISO file. You probably already heard about the Tiny11 Builder script, which creates a custom ISO file to install the operating system without bloatware, supporting low-end and unsupported hardware. The same developer (@NTDEV_) has created the “Nano11 Builder” script, which produces a more heavily stripped-down Windows 11 image that yields ISO files of 2.3 to 2.5GB, and the installed operating system footprint is around 2.8 to 3.2GB.

According to its GitHub page, the intention of this script is to streamline the image of Windows 11 as much as possible using only officially available Microsoft tools, such as Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and oscdimg.exe, to create a custom ISO file without external binaries.

The process also inserts an unattended answer file to bypass the Microsoft account and enable the option to set up a compact installation of the operating system.

The Nano11 script sets up Windows 11 without bloatware, as it skips the installation of certain apps (such as Clipchamp, News, Weather, Xbox, Office Hub, Solitaire, and others). It also uninstalls components, such as the Windows Component Store (WinSxS), Windows Update, Microsoft Defender, additional built-in drivers, input features (for example, IMEs), Search, BitLocker, Biometrics, and Accessibility features, as well as most system services, including audio. Furthermore, this script uninstalls Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, Internet Explorer, and Tablet PC Maths.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to create a Windows 11 Nano11 ISO file for version 25H2, 24H2, and other releases.

Warning: Although you can access the script to understand how it works, you will still modify the original installation image, which may also introduce some installation issues. Additionally, when using this script, you cannot add features after installing Windows 11. Finally, the developer warns that this script is still in experimental development. As such, use these steps at your own risk.

Create a Nano11 ISO file for Windows 11
FAQs about creating a Nano11 ISO file

Create a Nano11 ISO file for Windows 11

To download and create a Windows 11 ISO file using the Nano11 Builder script, follow these steps:

Open the Microsoft Support website.
Select the Windows 11 option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.
Click the Download button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the 64-bit Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the computer.
Open the Nano11 GitHub page.
Click the Code button and select the “Download ZIP” option.
Save the zip file on your computer.
Open the folder location.
Select the nano11-main-zip file.
Click the Extract all button from the command bar.
Click the Extract button.
Open File Explorer.
Open the Windows 11 ISO folder location.
Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount option.

Quick tip: If the option isn’t available, right-click the file, select the “Open With” menu, and choose the “Windows Explorer” option.
Confirm the drive letter of the virtual drive that the ISO is mounted on.
Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to allow the Nano11 script to run on the computer and press Enter:
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy unrestricted
```
Type the following command to run the nano11builder.ps1 script and press Enter:
```
& "C:\PATH\TO\SCRIPT\nano11builder.ps1"
```
Type “R” and press Enter.
Type “Y” to confirm and continue with the script.
Confirm the drive letter of the Windows 11 mount point and press Enter.
Confirm the index number (usually 1 for “Home” and 6 for “Pro”) for the edition of the operating system to create the image and press Enter.
Press Enter to complete the process and exit the script.
Type the following command to set the more secure PowerShell execution policy and press Enter:
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted
```

Once you complete the steps, the script will create a custom ISO file of around 2.2GB (rather than the usual 5.4GB) that excludes the default apps from the folder containing “nano11builder.ps1”.

The final ISO file will be stored within the “nano11-main” folder, which contains the original script. The file will be called “nano11.iso,” and you’ll also find a “nano11.log” file that includes all the logs generated during the creation of this image.

You now use the nano11.iso with third-party tools like Rufus or Ventoy to create a USB bootable to install the operating system.

Finally, you should be able to run this script on images for Windows 11 25H2, 24H2, and virtually any version of the operating system.

FAQs about creating a Nano11 ISO file

Here are answers to common questions about using the Nano11 Builder script for Windows 11.

What is Nano11 Builder for Windows 11?

Nano11 Builder is an open-source PowerShell script created by NTDEV that automates the creation of a heavily stripped-down Windows 11 ISO using only Microsoft tools like Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and oscdimg. It removes apps, services, and components to produce extremely small installation images.

What does non-serviceable mean in Nano11?

A non-serviceable Windows 11 installation cannot receive updates, add removed features, or reinstall core components after setup. In Nano11, features such as Windows Update, Microsoft Defender, and language packs are permanently removed, so the system cannot be patched or expanded later.

Nano11 Builder vs Tiny11 Builder: what’s the difference?

Nano11 Builder creates a more aggressively stripped image than Tiny11 Builder. While Tiny11 removes common bloat and supports low-end hardware, Nano11 eliminates Windows Update, Defender, drivers, and core services, producing smaller ISOs around 2.3–2.5GB with a much lighter installed footprint.

Is Nano11 smaller than the official Windows 11 ISO?

Yes, Nano11 is significantly smaller than the official Windows 11 ISO. A standard ISO is typically over 5GB, while Nano11 images range between 2.3GB and 2.5GB. The installed footprint also drops to roughly 2.8GB to 3.2GB.

How do I create a Nano11 ISO for Windows 11?

Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, mount it, and run the “nano11builder.ps1” script in PowerShell as administrator. The script modifies the image using DISM and oscdimg, then generates a new nano11.iso file in the script directory.

Is Nano11 safe to use on a production PC?

Nano11 is experimental and intended for testing or specialized use cases. Because it removes security tools, system services, and update capabilities, it is not recommended for production environments or primary devices that require stability, security patches, and long-term support.

Can you use Nano11 inside a virtual machine?

Yes, Nano11 can be installed inside virtual machines such as Hyper-V, VMware Workstation, or VirtualBox. In fact, virtual environments are ideal for testing Nano11 because the image removes drivers, services, and updates that may affect real hardware stability.

What are the biggest risks of removing Windows Update and Microsoft Defender?

Removing Windows Update and Microsoft Defender eliminates security patches, vulnerability fixes, and built-in malware protection. Over time, the system becomes increasingly exposed to exploits and compatibility issues. Since Nano11 is non-serviceable, there is no supported method to restore these protections later.