Developer fits Linux 6.14 kernel onto 1.44MB floppy disk
Krzysztof Jankowski has updated Floppinux, a minimal Linux distribution that runs from a single 1.44MB floppy disk. The 2025 edition ships with kernel 6.14.11, the last version supporting Intel 486DX processors before mainline drops i486 compatibility in 6.15.
The distribution boots on hardware with a 486DX CPU and 20MB RAM, leaving 264KB for user data after fitting the kernel (632KiB) and BusyBox utilities (552KiB). The project uses aggressive size optimization: tinyconfig base builds, XZ-only compression, and stripped musl libc binaries.
What this means in practice
Floppinux targets three scenarios. First, legacy system recovery where floppy drives remain the only boot option. Second, data migration from aging floppy media, relevant as preservation workshops continue into 2026. Third, extreme minimalism demonstrations for embedded developers working under severe storage constraints.
The project's value lies in its build methodology rather than production deployment. Jankowski documents kernel module removal, BusyBox applet selection, and cross-compilation for i486 targets. Enterprise teams managing legacy industrial systems or embedded devices with constrained storage can adapt these techniques.
The technical reality
Building requires a 64-bit Linux host, cross-compiler toolchain, and standard development libraries. The kernel configuration starts from tinyconfig, adding only essential drivers: floppy disk support, RAM disk, ELF binaries, and minimal filesystems (MSDOS, proc, sysfs).
BusyBox provides core utilities in a single static binary. The distribution includes vi for editing and basic file operations. Persistent storage works via the floppy's remaining 264KB.
The GitHub repository (193 stars, 15 forks) carries CC0 licensing and full build instructions. Emulation via QEMU works reliably. Real floppy hardware presents challenges: drive degradation and media reliability remain significant constraints, as Hackaday noted in December 2025 coverage.
History suggests
This updates the 2021 original, which used kernel 5.13-rc2 on similar constraints. The project demonstrates what's possible under extreme limitations, not what's practical for modern deployments. The real question is whether these optimization patterns transfer to current embedded work on Zephyr RTOS or LittleFS implementations.
Worth noting: kernel 6.15 removes i486 support entirely, making 6.14 the end of an architectural era dating to 1989.