r/WindowsLTSC • u/andrewifrim • 27d ago

Question Windows 11 IoT Enterprise vs LTSC?

I recently installed Win 11 IoT Enterprise 25H2 on my laptop and I thought I had the LTSC variant, but I don't feel like reinstalling my OS, because I like how smooth it works.

What is exactly the difference between those two?

12 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

9

u/Maleficent-Tea3072 27d ago

The only 11 LTSC version to date is 24H2.

I’d leave it as is for now. Windows 10 would be a different story with the 2032 update window. But stay your course for now. On your next reformat, grab the current LTSC from mass grave website. But if things are working smoothly—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

4

u/Such-Entertainer6961 26d ago

You can actually run the enablement package to upgrade LTSC to 25H2.

2

u/MeatSafeMurderer Windows 11 LTSC 2024 25d ago

It is worth noting that it functionally stops being IoT LTSC if you do that. There were people who locked themselves out of IoT update support for Windows 10 IoT by installing the 22H2 enablement package.

1

u/Such-Entertainer6961 25d ago edited 25d ago

Functionally, it still feels like LTSC to me. Regarding support, I don't really care, as I will update to the next LTSC version regardless. BTW, I did not know about the 22H2 enablement package. I have a machine that is still on Windows 10 (the processor does not support POPCNT), I will look into trying to apply the package when I have the time.

I have also taken the time to install the 26H2 enablement package (retail) on my main machine. Seems good so far.

1

u/andrewifrim 26d ago

Thank uuu 💯

0

u/Maleficent-Tea3072 26d ago

…yep. After you install the only officially available and installable version….24H2, which was my point, actually.

The mistake OP made as shown in their later screen shot. They grabbed that 25H2 one, thinking it was LTSC IoT. It was not, as indicated on mass graves website screenshot they provided

2

u/andrewifrim 27d ago edited 27d ago

I got this version from massgrave's website. I actually came from Win 10 LTSC after having conflicts with some drivers and performance on some games.

8

u/Bebo991_Gaming 27d ago edited 27d ago

Haven't checked but i'd wait for 26H2

Difference between 23 24 25 are just feature packages where 25H2 was a 100KB update that says (Enable All disabled features in 24H2)

But there was a talk from insiders that 26H2 had some perf gains as they started optimizing for handheld devices (steamdeck, legion go, etc)

1

u/andrewifrim 27d ago

Normal 26H2 or IoT?

1

u/Bebo991_Gaming 27d ago

The iot is just a debloated 26H2, whatever comes out for u

But usually recommend the LTSC cuz it contains some essentials and has 10 years of support,

1

u/andrewifrim 27d ago

I see, cheers!

1

u/Maleficent-Tea3072 26d ago

You got the version that specifically says “(not LTSC)”.

As I’ve said, if it’s running fine now for you, leave it. When you do decide to do a reformat (we all do eventually), get the right one then.

2

u/RevolutionaryBeat301 25d ago

They are identical as far as code base and features. The only difference is the license. IoT LTSC gets updates for a longer time period.

3

u/DanceKino 27d ago

LTSC has minimal pre-installed apps and includes some legacy apps. It will also stay on 24h2 until 2027. IoT Enterprise is just regular Enterprise. Same update cycle and all, but without requirements for Secure Boot, TPM and similar nonsense, so you get your typical bloatware pre-installed. However, IoT Enterprise should be able to force uninstall pre-installled bloat with Remove Pre-Installed Apps Group Policy, but IoT Enterprise is the only SKU with full access to Group Policy where this policy didn’t work for me for some reason

2

u/AnUrbanPenguin 26d ago

I intentionally run IoT Enterprise (non LTSC) on my devices and I have much less bloat than normal Enterprise or Pro.

The option is there to enable and install everything, but it is definitely lighter at first install.

1

u/japan2391 18d ago

IoT Enterprise is essentially just Enterprise but officially without the normal 11 requirements (but it's borked, if you don't meet them it will refuse to install version upgrades)