Slimdown11 – turn Windows 11 or LTSC 2024 into classic/legacy Windows

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Here are my recent test results. Thank SunLion and sainfo for their latest release, v14.5 and v1.65, respectively.
Presently only 24H2 25H2 are still under MSFT support. Hence my test focused on 24H2 and 25H2. No any early version iso. using LTSC 24H2 (default install.wim 4.23 GB) and business Win11_24H2_English_x64.iso

SD 11 Install.wim size




By SunLion’s v145

1. install_24H2.wim. 2.966 GB. OS Build 26100.1742. the installed OS 7.7 GB <-- plain 24H2
2. install_v145.wim (25H2). 4.410 GB. OS Build 26200.7171. the installed OS 11.6 GB

By sainfo’s v165

1. install_24H2_x64v165ltsc_en-US.wim. 2.338 GB. OS Build 26100.1742. the installed OS 9.1 GB<-- plain 24H2
2. install_25H2_x64v165ltsc_en-US.wim. 4.640 GB. OS Build 26220.7171. the installed OS 11.9 GB

note
It’s shown that SD11 25H2 install.wim size about 2 GB or bigger than 24H2. In general, 24H2 < 3.0 GB. 25H2 > 4.0 GB. At this time, I am a user sensitive to install.wim size. It’s a main reason I keep 24H2 in my test. SD11 24H2 is compact, under MSFT support. good to use.
25H2 with latest update, could be best. But its size increases significantly. Its performance is in doubt.

The installed OS, 25H2 can be 3-4 GB bigger than 24H2.

 

Any OS version under MSFT Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is excluded in my test.
That’s upto user. Indeed, even Windows 7 still has kind of ESU.
But in practice, that won’t help.

My computer runs python and excel macro, queries date from chrome-based web, RTD format.
The web won’t feed data to any “unsupported” OS.



Hence, my computer OS has to synchronize to the web.

Btw, I am still running Windows 7. That doesn’t mean it does my current daily work. My Windows 7 computer processes post-RTD data only. So does my Windows 10 computer.

 

Back to the future..

 

Ahhh... Windows 7 and XP... Those were the days. If It wasn't for the fact my system and apps I use didn't support Windows 7, I would still be using it.

 

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I know, the script was built for myself and therefore all the options I need are already selected in it. If you have no complaints to the received install.wim image, I can add functions to the tool for all occasions. Of course, if anyone needs it at all.

To test this tool, I used the install.wim file from the IoT Enterprise LTSC 26100.1742 en-US image.

 

Thank you testing now

 

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Hmm, how can this be? The install.wim file from the common tool folder is moved by a script to the temporary folder “Data\Temp”, processed by a script, and then moved by a script to the path “DVD\sources”. Next, I process the resulting install.wim file with DISM++ (clean, final image customization). I convert it to .esd format and place it in the DVD folder. It is written to a flash drive with the help of Rufus program. Personally, I had no problems at these stages. The size of the resulting install.wim file (in my case it is IoT Enterpruse LTSC 26220.7271) is 4.19 GB. After converting it to .esd format using DISM++, the size becomes 2.8 GB. I don't know why this is the case for you. If you have not changed anything in the script itself, everything should work properly.

 

@sainfo my test resulted in no install.wim being present in the DVD directory?

 

It was an interesting case. There was indeed an error in the code, which is why install.wim was automatically deleted from the temporary “Temp” folder. I fixed it!

 

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@SunLion

My test on physical computer was finished well.

Some minor issues

1. No EDGE installed. No matter what I tried several times.
2. When 1st install done, PC restarted then installing misc. apps, VisualCppRedist, , , how to stop the installing? as you know, I did remove \Install folder. But I think there should be an easy way, I should change the script somewhere to stop the installing. no need to remove \Install folder.

Thanks,

 

tried to download MicrosoftEdgeSetup.exe then install, run into error info,

 

Update
reviewed SunLion's old and new codes on Edge removal, new code has below. Others are same.

1
ECHO ============================================================
echo Remove Microsoft-Edge-WebView-FOD-Package
ECHO ============================================================


2
ECHO ============================================================
ECHO Remove-Edge preinstalled already
ECHO ============================================================
dism /english /scratchdir:temp /image:%MT% /Remove-Edge

 

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