Overview
This is the cut down build for machines that will not run a full install comfortably: netbooks, old office desktops, thin clients, virtual machines that need to stay small, and single purpose boxes that only ever run one application. The bundled applications, the store components, telemetry services, the assistant, the search indexer and most of the optional feature set are removed rather than disabled.
The result installs in a fraction of the time, uses noticeably less memory at idle, and leaves a far smaller footprint on disk. Compact mode compresses the system files, which pushes the installed size down further on small drives at a small cost in processor time. On a machine with four gigabytes of memory and a mechanical disk the difference in responsiveness is not subtle.
The trade off has to be understood before installing it. Removed components cannot generally be added back, some of the store based applications will not install afterwards, and a few third party applications expect components that are no longer present. It is built for a machine with a known job, not for a general purpose desktop that might need anything later.
What it does well
Small footprint
Bundled applications, store components, telemetry and optional features removed rather than switched off.
Compact system files
Optional compression of the system files, which drops the installed size further on small drives.
Fast setup
Installs in a fraction of the time of a full image, which matters when imaging a room of machines.
Low idle usage
Far fewer background services, so memory and disk activity at idle are much lower on constrained hardware.
Recovery environment kept
The pre-boot recovery environment is present, so repair and reset options still exist.
Changes in this build
- Removal list revised so the networking and printing stacks stay fully intact.
- Compact mode made optional at setup rather than always applied.
- Driver set refreshed for current storage controllers.
- Fixed a first boot delay caused by a removed scheduled task.
- Torrent payload rebuilt for faster verification.
What is in the package
- Windows 10 Professional x64 ISO, trimmed
- Compact mode option at setup
- Recovery environment
- Pre-activated state
- Checksum list and component removal notes
System requirements
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 64-bit |
| Memory | 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Storage | 12 GB minimum, 24 GB comfortable |
| Display | 800 x 600 minimum |
| Firmware | UEFI or legacy BIOS |
Installation
- Read the component removal notes before writing the image.
- Write the ISO to a USB drive of 4 GB or larger.
- Back up the target disk, this is a clean install only.
- Boot the drive and choose whether to apply compact mode.
- Install the network driver first if the trimmed driver set does not cover the adapter.
Before you start
Removed components cannot be added back, plan the machine's job before installing.
Some store based applications will not install on a trimmed image.
In place upgrades onto this build are not supported, treat it as a clean install target.
Questions about this title
Can I add the removed components later?
Generally no. Use the full image if a machine might need them.
Does the store work?
Store components are removed, so store based applications should not be counted on.
Is compact mode required?
No, it is offered at setup and can be skipped if disk space is not the constraint.
Will updates install?
Security and quality updates install, but feature branch upgrades are not supported on a trimmed image.
About this listing
This entry was checked on a clean install of x64 ISO before it was published, and it is rechecked whenever the package is rebuilt. The figures on this page come from the site index rather than from the publisher, so the download count is what people here have actually pulled.
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