Tiny Core Linux

• Tiny Core (23 MB) is the recommended option for new users who have a wired network connection. It includes the base Core system and a dynamic FLTK/FLWM graphical user interface.^[6]
• Core (17 MB) (also known as "Micro Core Linux") is a smaller variant of Tiny Core without a graphical desktop, though additional extensions can be added to create a system with a graphical desktop environment.^[6]
• Core64 is a port to the x86_64 architecture with a 32-bit user land, i.e. it uses a 64-bit kernel and 64-bit modules, but it can use the same extensions as Core.^[7]
• CorePure64 is a port of "Core" to the x86_64 architecture. 64-bit kernel and 64-bit extensions.^[7]
• dCore (12 MB) is a core made from Debian or Ubuntu compatible files that uses import and the SCE package format,^[8] a self-contained package format for the Tiny Core distribution since 5.x series.
• Core Plus (248 MB) is "an installation image and not the distribution".^[6] It is composed of Tiny Core with additional functionality, most notably wireless support and non-US keyboard support.^[6]
• piCore is the Raspberry Pi port of "Core".

Minimal configuration: Core requires at least 28 MB of RAM. Tiny Core needs at least 46 MB of RAM. The minimum CPU is an Intel 80486 with a math coprocessor. Required disk space is 50+ MB, plus enough extra disk space for persistent storage or added apps.^[9][10]

Recommended configuration: Pentium II or better CPU. Modern web browsers require a CPU with SSE2 (Pentium 4). Some additional RAM above the minimum listed above is recommended so that your applications have RAM to run in. A combined memory pool (RAM + swap) of at least 128 MB is recommended.^[9][10]

The developers describe Tiny Core as "a nomadic ultra small graphical desktop operating system capable of booting from cdrom, pendrive, or frugally from a hard drive."^[11] As of version 2.8.1, the core is designed to run primarily in RAM but with three distinct modes of operation:

• "Cloud" or Internet mode — A "testdrive" mode using a built-in appbrowser GUI to explore extensions from an online application extension repository loaded into RAM only for the current session.
• TCE/Install — A mode for Tiny Core Extensions downloaded and run from a storage partition but kept as symbolic links in RAM.
• TCE/CopyFS — A mode which installs applications onto a Linux partition like a more typical Linux installation.^[12]

• Comparison of Linux live distributions
• Lightweight Linux distribution
• List of Linux distributions that run from RAM
• Telikin

1. ^ "Tiny Core v17.1". 16 July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
2. ^ "Interview with Robert Shingledecker, creator of Tiny Core Linux". DistroWatch Weekly. March 30, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
3. ^ a b "Review of Tiny Core Linux 1.2 and 1.3 RC2". DistroWatch Weekly. March 23, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
4. ^ "Robert Shingledecker's Projects". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
5. ^ Shingledecker, Christopher. "Frequently Asked Questions". Tiny Core Linux. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
6. ^ a b c d Robert Shingledecker (2012). "Downloads - Tiny Core Linux". Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
7. ^ a b Juanito (2016). "Forum Post - tinycore vs. tinycore64". Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
8. ^ Juanito. "dCore-5.0.alpha1 released". Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
9. ^ a b c online, heise (2026-02-13). "Tiny Core Linux 17.0: A modern distribution in a few megabytes". iX Magazin. Retrieved 2026-10-05.
10. ^ a b Robert Shingledecker. "Frequently Asked Questions: What are the minimum requirements?". Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
11. ^ Robert Shingledecker (December 1, 2008). "Welcome to The Core Project - Tiny Core Linux". Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
12. ^ Robert Shingledecker. "Tiny Core: Core Concepts". Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
13. ^ "TinyCore End-Of-Life". forum.tinycorelinux.net. Retrieved 2026-10-05.
14. ^ a b Final Releases Archived 2015-05-08 at the Wayback Machine – Release Announcements and Change log from Tiny Core Linux Forum
15. ^ Smart, Christopher (2009-08-06). "Tiny Core: The Little Distro That Could | Linux Magazine". Linux Magazine. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
16. ^ "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 440, 23 January 2012". Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
17. ^ "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 527, 30 September 2013". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
18. ^ "Tiny Core Linux 7.0 [LWN.net]". Archived from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
19. ^ Juanito (March 31, 2025). "Tiny Core v16.0". forum.tinycorelinux.net. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
20. ^ Juanito (June 16, 2025). "Tiny Core v16.1". forum.tinycorelinux.net. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
21. ^ "Tiny Core v17.1". forum.tinycorelinux.net. Retrieved 2026-10-05.

• Official website
• Tiny Core Linux at DistroWatch
• "Interview with Robert Shingledecker, creator of Tiny Core Linux". DistroWatch Weekly (295). March 23, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2012..
• Ferrill, Paul (March 19, 2009). "Tiny Core Linux -- A Minimal Distro with Big Possibilities". LinuxPlanet. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
• "Tiny Core Linux Wiki". Retrieved July 5, 2023.
• Bernard, Joey (Sep 1, 2011). "Tiny Core Linux". Linux Journal. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
• "Tiny Core 4.5.....Almost In Love With A Core.!!". YouTube. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved September 13, 2012.