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c/youshouldknow by u/Fmstrat 6d ago github.com

YSK Tiny11 is great for when you need Windows

194 upvotes 25 comments
Tiny11 builds a Windows 11 ISO that is 3.7GB in size, and installs in less than 10GB. It is so stripped down it doesn't even have a web browser, so it requires minimal updates, and runs great as a VM.

Personally, I use it for things like configuring Webcams or Controllers.

I recommend installing in KVM using a qcow2 disk image named `Tiny11-Base.qcow2`, then:

## Install VirtIO tools
https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/archive-virtio/

To get VirtIO on there you can use a USB stick, or use PowerShell as Administrator to download:

```
$url = "https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/archive-virtio/virtio-win-0.1.285-1/virtio-win-guest-tools.exe"
$output = "c:\Users\User\Download\virtio.exe"

Import-Module BitsTransfer
Start-BitsTransfer -Source $url -Destination $output
```

## Mount folders
This is so you don't need a browser or to use PowerShell for downloading. I mount my local Downloads folder.

Guide: https://www.debugpoint.com/kvm-share-folder-windows-guest/

Latest FSP (Fuse for Windows) at time of writing: https://github.com/winfsp/winfsp/releases/download/v2.2B1/winfsp-2.2.26112.msi

## Snapshot and backup
Shutdown and create backups.

This retains sparse file compatibility (a disk that can grow as needed).
- Snapshot will give you two files. Point your VM to the second one to use the snapshot.
- The backup command will backup the original and the snapshot.

### Snapshot
```bash
qemu-img create -f qcow2 -b Tiny11-Base.qcow2 -F qcow2 Tiny11-Active.qcow2
```

### Backup
```bash
tar --use-compress-program=pbzip2 -cSvf Tiny11.tar.bz2 Tiny11*.qcow2
```

### Export KVM
```bash
virsh dumpxml Tiny11 > Tiny11.xml
```

### Restore qcow2
```bash
tar --use-compress-program=pbzip2 -xvf ./Tiny11.tar.bz2
```

### Import KVM
```bash
virsh define Tiny11.xml
```
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