Ubuntu Highly Compressed 10mb [upd] Jun 2026

# Use Alpine Linux's mkimage script but swap alpine-apk for ubuntu's libs # This creates an initramfs where the root is compressed in RAM

Consider this a "skeleton" system from Canonical. It is even more minimal than Ubuntu Core, containing only the most fundamental Linux components. The goal is to provide a starting point of 30-100MB for developers to build an ultra-lean, purpose-built environment for embedded devices, from which all non-essential parts have been stripped away.

is remarkably small. While not quite 10MB, it has been compressed to around ubuntu highly compressed 10mb

Always download Ubuntu directly from ://ubuntu.com .

The core Linux kernel alone takes up dozens of megabytes before adding any applications. # Use Alpine Linux's mkimage script but swap

Strip kernel modules for hardware you will never use. Frequently Asked Questions Can I run Docker in a 10MB Linux?

The Myth of the 10MB Highly Compressed Ubuntu ISO: Reality vs. Risks is remarkably small

If you search for this term and find a result promising a working OS, you are likely looking at one of two dangerous scenarios:

Potential final compressed size with musl + busybox + custom kernel: – still not 10MB, but very close.

At its core, a 10MB "Ubuntu" is technically impossible if it includes the standard GNOME desktop environment, pre-installed applications, and the Linux kernel. However, this niche exists through three specific methods: