What Is Windows X-Lite ‘Optimum 11’ v26H1 Build 28000.1 by FBConan
Windows X-Lite “Optimum 11” is a highly customized, lightweight (“lite”) edition of Windows 11, created by FBConan. Specifically, this version corresponds to Windows 11 Pro, build 28000.1, also labeled as “26H1.” According to sources, this is based on the Canary channel build of Windows 11, reworked to maximize performance, reduce system resource usage, and strip away non-essential components.
This build is tailored for productivity, gaming, or use on lower-spec machines — emphasizing speed, responsiveness, and resource savings.
Key Features
Here are the main features of this custom Windows build:
- Small Footprint
- The ISO image is only about 2.35 GB.
- After installation, it uses only around 4.35 GB of disk space.
- Performance Optimization
- Many background services and non-essential features are removed or disabled to increase speed and responsiveness.
- Designed to “maximize performance, responsiveness, and resource savings.”
- High performance mode is configured by default for power settings.
- Hardware Compatibility and Bypass
- Bypasses hardware checks: TPM, Secure Boot, and constraints on RAM, CPU, and storage are all bypassed.
- Requires a CPU with SSE 4.2 support.
- Also bypasses Microsoft’s forced account creation during setup.
- User Interface & Visuals
- Rounded corners, Acrylic, and Mica design effects are enabled by default — even in virtual machines (VMs).
- Optional transparency in the File Explorer.
- Customizeable things: cursors, themes, wallpapers; FBConan has integrated custom UI elements.
- Support for Modern Features
- Full support for UWP apps, Xbox, Microsoft Store, and more.
- Supports optional features like WSA (Windows Subsystem for Android) and WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2).
- Language packs, speech and voice input are supported.
- Update Control
- Automatic Windows Updates are paused by default, with the article saying they are “paused until year 3000.”
- Once resumed, updates can apparently be paused again for up to 10 years.
- Optional Add-ons
- No web browser or UWP apps are pre-installed, but FBConan provides downloadable installers for Microsoft Store, Calculator, Notepad, Paint, Camera, Snipping Tool, and more.
New / Notable Features in This Version (v26H1 Build 28000.1)
Compared to earlier “Optimum 11” builds and standard Windows, the v26H1 build introduces or maintains several key improvements:
- Updated to Windows 11 Build 28000.1
- This is notable because build 28000 is part of the Canary channel for version 26H1, so this build is very recent and bleeding-edge.
- According to Reddit, 26H1 is “not a feature update for version 25H2” but rather a platform update to support new silicon (e.g., upcoming Qualcomm / NVIDIA chips).
- No Watermark / No Timebomb
- Users note that this build does not have a watermark or a timebomb, making it more practical for real use.
- This is relatively unusual for Canary builds, which often have more restrictions.
- Deep Optimization Maintained
- The same aggressive trimming of features and services continues: non-critical components are removed, while performance-critical ones are kept.
- The build maintains support for optional subsystems (WSA, WSL2) while being much lighter than the stock Windows.
- Bypass Policy Continues
- The hardware bypasses (TPM, Secure Boot, account creation) continue to be supported in this new build.
Features Removed (or Disabled) Compared to Standard Windows 11
To achieve its “lite” and high-performance design, FBConan’s Optimum 11 sacrifices a number of Microsoft’s built-in features. Based on available sources, the following have been removed or disabled:
Removed Features (completely uninstalled):
- Microsoft Edge browser
- SmartScreen
- UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps by default
- WebView & Widgets
Disabled Features (present but turned off):
- Windows Defender (real-time protection is disabled)
- BitLocker (disk encryption)
- Error reporting (Windows won’t send automatic crash or bug reports)
- Indexing (file search indexing is turned off)
- UAC (User Account Control) for privilege elevation is disabled.
- Advertisements / Telemetry (data collection and ads in the OS) are disabled.
- Hibernation is disabled, meaning the system won’t enter “hibernate” mode.
- Power Throttling is disabled, so applications can run at full CPU performance.
Advantages and Target Use Cases
Given its design, Optimum 11 v26H1 is particularly attractive for:
- Gaming: Because non-essential services are removed and performance is prioritized, this build can give better responsiveness and lower latency in games.
- Low-Spec or Legacy Hardware: The bypass of hardware checks (TPM, Secure Boot) allows installation on older machines that would not meet Microsoft’s official Windows 11 requirements.
- Virtual Machines (VMs): The UI enhancements like acrylic/mica and rounded corners still work in VMs, making it visually appealing in virtual environments.
- Privacy-Minded Users: By disabling telemetry, error reporting, and ads, it reduces “phone-home” behavior.
- Users Who Want Control: Since core Microsoft “bloat” is removed, the user can choose which optional features (like Store or UWP apps) to add later via separate installers.
