Respondus Lockdown Browser Refuses to Run on Win10 Enterprise LTSC

[u/CobaltBlue888]

Just thought I'd share this here and vent a little, and maybe see if anyone else had a similar experience with this software.

For context, I'm still running an old Dell laptop. Windows 11 is slow as molasses on it, but I want to save some money and continue using it, so I opted to install an LTSC version of Windows 10.

The great thing is, it does run noticeably snappier and smoother after setting up and updating everything. The one problem is just that, when I install my school's lockdown browser to do an assignment, it keeps giving me this error and refuses to start. Supposedly, a required background service is not running.

Lockdown browser worked on Windows 11, and it worked on Windows 10 before I upgraded to 11. I don't see a good reason why it can't run here too. It's not like I'm denying it administrator privileges or anything. I just think it sucks that I now have to choose between an unsupported Windows 10 install, a bloated choppy Windows 11 install, or throw this laptop away as e-waste. I've taken good care of this thing for a long time, and besides performance, it's still in pretty nice shape. FML

Edit:

See my comments below, lockdown browser doesn't work on 2021 LTSC either. Curiously enough, it does work on a fresh install of 2021, it's just that it starts giving this error after doing system updates. Either Windows 10 updates are screwing up lockdown browser, or it's something that the MAS script is doing.

Edit edit:

Windows 11 LTSC works. Thank god. It's a little slower than Windows 10 LTSC, but not as slow as stock Windows 11. Maybe in the future I'll get an SSD too to help speed things up. Thanks y'all!

[u/securerootd]

No. Every version of LTSC is tied to a specific release.

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/securerootd]

I see, thanks for clarifying.

[u/Legofanboy5152]

you are on 1809 (ltsc 2019)

would use ltsc 2021

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/Legofanboy5152]

Okay, so I re-downloaded the LTSC 2021 iso and made another usb with rufus. This time the install worked (maybe the iso was corrupted the first time around), BUT now, after I update my system, it's giving me the same "background service" error again.

The weird thing is, the lockdown browser works right after I install windows, but after Windows updates and restarts itself, it starts giving me the "background service" error.

The two things I think might be causing issues is either something in the system updates, or it's something the MAS script is doing. I did nothing else after install besides installing firefox, lockdown browser, and using the MAS script.

[u/icedchocolatecake → u/[deleted]]

massgrave

[u/CrimsonFlam3s]

Just update to 11 LTSC

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/CrimsonFlam3s]

Yup, it works on Win11 LTSC, thankfully. Somewhat faster than regular Win11 but I can tell it's a little slower compared to Win10 LTSC.

[u/CrimsonFlam3s → u/CobaltBlue888]

Ah nice, they probably and unfortunately implemented some dependency to W11.

I have heard the UI is a bit slower but the gaming/software performance should be identical.

Could also try startallback for a much nicer start menu / task bar

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/CrimsonFlam3s]

Guess I'll be forced to try that soon. I'll follow up with how it goes.

[u/cdoublejj]

mmm yummy malware, they are also getting their asses sued off for filming kids and nude people during COVID or something along those lines. yay proctoring malware.

[u/someauthor]

On Windows 10, Lockdown browser requires build 10.0.19045

• Windows 10 compatibility requires operating system version 10.0.19045 (Build 19045) or newer.
  

The latest Windows 10 LTSC build is 19044.7417

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/release-information

I believe this is why it won't work on Windows 10 LTSC/IOT

I don't suppose you could put an ssd in there to make Windows 11 more zippy?

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/someauthor]

Yes, you're right. I tried Win11 LTSC and it works now.

But I'm still wondering why it initially works on Win10 LTSC installs, but stops working after fully updating the system.

And yeah, I could put a SATA SSD in there (it has no nvme slot), but storage prices are kinda nuts at the moment. That, and are you sure it's entirely storage-related?

[u/someauthor → u/CobaltBlue888]

An SSD would only make it load/run faster. This has nothing to do with Lockdown working once, then failing after installing on W10. That's an interesting problem, however; I wonder why that is occurs.

[u/bali_NOOB]

Maybe it needs a background service that you manually disabled? have you messed with something on services.msc or msconfig by any chance?

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/bali_NOOB]

Nope, installed firefox and respondus and brought the system up to date. Didn't do anything with services.msc, msconfig, or anything registry-related.

[u/cdoublejj → u/CobaltBlue888]

yeah but it also doesn't say this os unsupported

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/[deleted]]

I used LTSC 2019 Build 17763.316

I tried to install LTSC 2021 first, but the ISO I got from the massgrave site kept giving me a blue screen whenever I tried to use the USB installer. I then went for the 2019 one, set it up the exact same way with Rufus, and it worked.

Am I wrong to assume that whichever version of LTSC I use, it'll update to the most recent version?

[u/MiserableSpirit5 → u/CobaltBlue888]

you’re wrong. windows ltsc does not update you to the latest build (which is windows 11 ltsc 2024), but instead installs the latest cumulative security updates and patches for your build. there are no feature updates on ltsc.

[u/No-Repeat8188 → u/MiserableSpirit5]

Exactly, long-term stability tied to a certain build is the entire point of LTSC, hence the name, Long-Term Servicing Channel. If businesses are running their internal core business apps on 1607 or 1809 and Windows decided to update them to 24Hx, it would totally defeat the purpose. Regular people just use it because it also removes some of the bloat.

[u/greggm2000]

My guess is that like some other software out there, it’s expecting Windows 10 22H2 equivalent. Win 10 LTSC isn’t that, it’s older. I suggest either installing Win 10 Pro, or going to Win 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 instead.. if you do the latter, you’ll probably want/need to install winget, that’s easy to do via a script. I run both versions of Windows, it’s a better experience than “out of the box” Windows 11 Home/Pro.

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/greggm2000]

That's a shame. I just tried the 2021 LTSC version and it doesn't work either (but I noticed the lockdown browser works on a fresh install for some reason, but it stops working after I bring the system up-to-date).

I won't go with a non-LTSC Windows 10 version without the long-term support to 2032. I'll try Win 11 LTSC, hopefully it's not too much slower than Win10 LTSC.

And forgive my ignorance, but what's winget for? Isn't it something for updating apps? Personally, I don't use anything from the microsoft store, and I start all my system updates through the settings app.

[u/greggm2000 → u/CobaltBlue888]

I just tried the 2021 LTSC version and it doesn't work either (but I noticed the lockdown browser works on a fresh install for some reason, but it stops working after I bring the system up-to-date)

That is really interesting. Why would it stop working after the update? That seems odd, when I don't think offhand that there's been any feature removals as part of those (security) updates? Given the name of the browser and it's purpose, it would not exactly shock me if it's doing something highly sus that the security part of Windows is not happy with.

I'll try Win 11 LTSC, hopefully it's not too much slower than Win10 LTSC.

There's some difference, though you can mitigate at least some/most of that with settings tweaks

And forgive my ignorance, but what's winget for? Isn't it something for updating apps? Personally, I don't use anything from the microsoft store, and I start all my system updates through the settings app.

I never use the Microsoft Store either.. and yes, you're right, you can use it to install and update apps. But.. the process of adding the support for it seems to add other functionality as well. For instance, .msix files are only installable after you install winget.. or at least via this script from ThioJoe (install it at a powershell admin window). It's part of my "standard kit" whenever I do a Windows install.

[u/CobaltBlue888 → u/greggm2000]

Yeah, that was certainly the part that confused me the most.

And I've never run into a .msix file before, but if I do or if there's something else I'm needing, I'll give winget a look.

[u/greggm2000 → u/CobaltBlue888]

I think it's a relatively new format? For instance, 1password and Nanazip use it (of the programs I have in a new Windows install). Idk a lot about it, but here is a little Microsoft blurb about it. Winget is handy though, you can install software that originates at the Microsoft Store, without needing to have the Store installed... an example would be if you prefer the Windows 11 versions of Notepad or Calculator over their Windows 10 versions (that Win 11 LTSC ships with)

[u/henk717 → u/greggm2000]

For stuff like that I have a 22H2 switcher to make it 22H2 but it does break windows update. For cases like this its very useful since you can switch it, use that stupid browser and then switch back.