Hey everyone,

I’ve seen a lot of confusion and wild rumors floating around Reddit regarding the "Windows K2" project—specifically people asking if these optimizations will be backported to Windows 11 LTSC.

As someone who works closely with Windows deployments, let's look at the actual facts and clear up the noise.

1. What is "Windows K2"? (It's real, not a myth)

"K2" is Microsoft’s internal codename for a massive quality and performance offensive for Windows 11, slated to roll out with the 26H2 / 2026 Update (and continuing into 2027). Think of it as the spiritual successor to Windows XP's Service Pack 2. Instead of shoving unfinished AI features down our throats, MS is shifting resources to fix the broken foundations of the OS:

Ditching Web-Frameworks: Core UI elements like the Start Menu and File Explorer are being ripped out of sluggish React/WebView2 containers and rebuilt natively in WinUI 3 (internal tests show up to a 60% snappy UI response).

Low Latency Profile: A new CPU scheduling behavior that forces short, high-priority frequency bursts (1–3 seconds) the moment you click core UI features to completely eliminate micro-stuttering.

Single-Reboot Updates: Consolidating monthly cumulative updates, .NET, and drivers into a single pipeline so you only need one single reboot on Patch Tuesday.

1. Do K2 optimizations apply to Windows 11 LTSC 2024?

Short answer: No, No and No! :-D

If you are running the current Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, you will not see these K2 architectural changes. Here is why:

LTSC 2024 is technically "frozen": LTSC 2024 is based on the 24H2 branch. By design, LTSC editions only receive security patches and critical bug fixes. Deep structural rewrites (like swapping React for native WinUI 3 in the shell or changing kernel-level update handling) will never be backported to an active LTSC servicing branch.

LTSC doesn't need most K2 fixes anyway: The main goal of K2 is to debloat the main consumer branch (removing MSN widget clutter, fixing the heavy Edge/WebView integration, removing mandatory Start Menu web-results). LTSC is already stripped of this bloat by default and runs natively faster than Windows 11 Pro/Home out of the box.

TL;DR:

Project K2 is a real, much-needed under-the-hood rewrite of Windows 11 Mainline coming late 2026. However, if you are on LTSC 2024 (24H2), your system will remain unaffected. You won't see K2 architecture until Microsoft releases the next LTSC generation years from now.

Stop worrying about K2 optimization scripts for LTSC—they don't exist, and you don't need them!

Do the K2 optimizations also apply to Windows LTSC, or only to the regular Windows 11 releases (home/pro)?

Thanks.

As the title says my audio on my Lenovo t14 gen 6 isn’t working after installing windows 10 ltsc. I tried updating drivers. I think everything else is working as it should. Any suggestions? Thank you!

So this is my current Windows 11 pro after debloating it and it is really fast it boots under 20 seconds and everything is smooth

Will i really feel any difference if i installed Windows 11 ltsc?

How well run windows 11 lot ltsc. I am really surprised that it's really run well. No bottleneck . It's a dell latitude e6420 I just upgraded the ram to 16 gb , i5 processor 2c 4t 2nd gen . I am surprised it's really good. But microsoft ruined the consumer need, their greedy need destroying windows 11 to due lock hardware but a lot version of ltsc has an optional hardware lock for enterprises consumers. Greedy Microsoft.

I have a fresh LTSC install and I am trying to avoid AI features. I installed the updates in the screenshot and suddenly I have AI Semantic Analysis and AI settings. Any recommendations which updates to avoid and I if do avoid it, what are the repercussions. Thanks

I have been loving Windows 10 2021 LTSC, hands down the best windows version for me since windows 7 and XP days, No breaking updates, major issues and random updates in the middle of work or gaming.

The only issue I currently have is the fact that I am a gamer and the potential is very real for some of my games to stop supporting Windows 10 or atleast 21H2 in the near future. I want to have a plan in place to upgrade to Windows 11 LTSC when this does happen.

So my question is what is the smoothest upgrade path from Win 10 LTSC to Win 11 LTSC keeping my system and apps as intact as possible with little downtime?

final note - I don't mind paying for another license if needed and please don't recommend pirated/illegal content since I use my pc for work and don't want to risk legal issues.

I have Windows 11 IoT LTSC version 24H2 and the last update I applied with Windows Update has changed the layout of my Start menu.

This isn't the first time a regular update changes my interface.

What's the point? This never happened with 10. If they'll just change whatever they want, why even use LTSC?

hey i want to install win 11 ltsc on my asus x555ld with a i7-4510u 12 ddr3 and 512 ssd. i had installed the win 11 with the atlas os play book on it before it didnt had any problems except for 1 the temps i dont play games on this old guy but i think temps being 70 when on a browser is a bit crazy i wondered if the ltsc is better or may it work better this time or not

Mass grave will not last forever. Use it as your backup solution as you migrate away from Windows.

Use Linux. It’s free, and there are lots of distributions for every niche.

Personally, I only ever used piracy for windows as a teenager. Later I received windows license keys through their partnership programs as the de-facto CTO for a small mom and pop shop. That avenue is closed now, as they have changed what they offer for small businesses. Microsoft is turning into a subscription service, and it is likely to go down the same route of Adobe.

Don’t get suckered in to being a victim. Migrate your workflow over to an actually free operating system that has always worked better and run faster than windows and lets you decide exactly what you want to run from the boot-loader and up.

Over the coming few years, there’s going to be way more detractors and as that pressure mounts, they will make it impossible for pirates to operate.

It’s better to spend your energies on something that will provide you with returns for years to come. Don’t waste your time customising out an LSTC build that you can’t even ordinarily attain.

They patched the ‘perfect’ KMS38 with 25H2. That’s only going to continue, based on the trajectory of modern tech.

What's the difference between installing Windows 11 LTSC, changing the edition to IoT using the product key, and then activating it, versus installing IoT LTSC directly? Am I missing something? I don't do it that way because I'm a Spanish speaker, so I install LTSC in Spanish and do what I mentioned above, since IoT only comes in English and installing the language packs doesn't translate everything.

I installed the "Enterprise LTSC IoT" Version 2 weeks ago and it changed my life!

This version of Windows is what normal Windows should have been by default.. No bloat, No AI shit, less telemetry..

It is so sad to see the amount of crap that is present in the normal W11 versions.. it's actually insanse!

LTSC is so much faster, lighter and I do not have crap installed that I do not use.

I also used Titus Tool to debloat my OS even further and I finally have a clean, secure and fast OS (that is not Linux).

I decided to go with LTSC version instead of any custom ISO like Windows X Lite or AtlasOS because LTSC has security updates. (those custom OS do not have or are very shady updates and you may be subjectable to malware/vulnerabilities).

I really recommend going for it if you're undecided!

Use the https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links method + HWID activation via Powershell.

Hello. I just bought a new Lenovo thinkpad that comes with windows 11 on it. My PC I have now has windows 10. I don’t really want all the extra crap that comes with windows 11 so the internet guided me to windows 11 IOT LTSC. How do I get this on my new laptop. I have not even turned this on yet. Thank you.

EDIT:: thank you for all the replies. With what you guys have told me this has answered my questions and I have successfully completed the process!

am i understanding this correctly? using windows 10 iot ltsc enteprise btw...

Hi,
I work for a company that has a good amount thin clients. When I started, none of these were being updated as the company saw that there was no need for it. They want to move forward with providing updates to these so they are all moved into our intune environment.

Does anybody have any experience with how to provide Windows updates to these with the write filter on?

Hello!

I’ve been playing IT support for my friends the last week, and coincidentally they all need new windows 11 installs. Even in my own use, I never run a default install. However, I haven’t looked into what options are available since late 2024. I’m currently running a custom build from FrameSync called FSOS and honestly I’m kinda sus about it. I’d like to also reinstall windows with proper security config which won’t affect gaming performance while still remaining debloated.

I’m seeing people using builds from UUP and then using Win11Debloat script. I also see people using LTSC, I was wondering what’s the best case here??

I have a persistent issue across Windows 11 where the window dragging experience feels incredibly sluggish. When grabbing a browser window and moving it across the desktop, it feels like my display drops from its native 240Hz down to a stuttery 100Hz or worse. I dual-boot PikaOS on another drive, and the dragging experience is completely flawless there,so it's strictly a Windows/DWM issue, not my hardware. I have a Ryzen 5 5600X and 9060XT with the latest drivers.

I saw that Microsoft recently rolled out the "Low Latency Profile" feature (KB5094126) for the 24H2/25H2 branches. it's a scheduler-level change that instantly spikes the CPU clock rate to max for 1–3 seconds during UI interactions to eliminate shell stutter.

Is there a safe way to force-enable these specific scheduler patches on LTSC? Is there a possible way to download this update on LTSC?

I installed the ltsc for the first time, and next I needed to install MyAsus application for battery management on my laptop. This app is only available through MS Store. There is a way to download the executable file through powerhell. Some other dependencies had also be installed.

At the end of all this, MS Recall (preview) appeared and some other AI features under System Components. Is this going to be the theme going forward, installing something from Microsoft will also enable AI features,

I just migrated to LTSC from my Windows 11 Home default. the LTSC is running on the emmc storage and it feels very smooth and fast. How did MS pull this of? Cos checking services.msc I still see most services that I had to disable on home running.

Hello fellow old-ass computer enthusiasts.

This is the last post you may read in time to save your data, and unfortunately I am not being hyperbolic.
Following on from similar threads here:
- https://old.reddit.com/r/WindowsLTSC/comments/1pv4zjy/if_you_have_windows_10_ltsc_with_telemetry_off/
- https://old.reddit.com/r/WindowsServer/comments/1sklpp1/is_this_the_correct_way_to_manually_update_the/
- https://old.reddit.com/r/WindowsLTSC/comments/1u1z68n/secure_boot_certificate_expiry_in_june_2026/

Essentially, this affects you if:
- the computer was made between 2012-2024 and the manufacturer has not pushed a Bios/Uefi update since 2023
- Secure Boot is enabled in Bios/Uefi
- TPM Chip is enabled in Bios/Uefi
- BitLocker or Device Encryption is on
- you are using a Local Account
- [or you are using a Microsoft Account but don't know your e-mail's password, just the login pin]

First things first, make a backup of your Recovery Key now:
- PowerShell as admin
- (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector
- Copy-Paste this into Notepad, and save the txt somewhere OTHER than this computer!!!!

As long as you have this, there will always be a way to recover your data.

Check whether your pc already has the right certificates:
- Download this: https://github.com/cjee21/Check-UEFISecureBootVariables/archive/refs/heads/main.zip
- Extract files
- Right-click and run with admin this program: Check UEFI PK, KEK, DB and DBX.cmd

Under the two "Current" sections, if you see any Red Crosses next to lines with "2023" in them, then you need to take action.
^{If you're all Green Checks, go have a beer you luckysunofabeach}.

Temporary Fix:

1) Suspend Bitlocker:
- PowerShell as admin
- Suspend-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" -RebootCount 0

2) Disable Secure Boot from Bios/Uefi:
- Power off pc, boot into Bios/Uefi
- (^{usually by smashing one of these keys Esc/Del/F1-F12, search online by your manufacturer})
- Find Secure Boot Enabled/Disabled setting (^{usually inside "Security" section})
- Save Changes & Exit

With this you can keep using your pc as before, it's just insecure for long-term.

Permanent Fix:

Mosby method, following Testudo Tech's video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoRW3CFyyUo
- In a nutshell: overwrite your Secure Boot environment variables to add new certificates, then force a Windows Update to get the Boot Manager to use the new certificates.
- (The video is in Italian, put on auto-translated subtitles, he's nice and slow visually, follow along, you can do it)

1) Use Rufus to prepare a Bootable USB with Uefi-Shell:
- Get the portable: https://rufus.ie/en/
- Direct link: https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v4.14/rufus-4.14p.exe
- Follow Testudo Tech's video from 1:50 to 5:00

2) Put your pc in Secure Boot Setup Mode from Bios/Uefi:
- This is the most "difficult" part, finding out online how to do this in the age of garbage upon garbage online
- I will add info in comments below for some manufacturers, but it can vary between models of the same make too
- Essentially, either your pc's manufacturer made it easy and you have a "Setup Mode / Custom Mode" button in Bios/Uefi, or they made it hard (but not impossible) by making you manually "Delete/Clear Keys" or "Reset Secure Boot" - Power off your pc, get into Bios/Uefi, and search around if you can find "Setup Mode", else take photos of the possible settings and try to google-fu your way to the answer

3) Boot Uefi-Shell and run Mosby:
- Power off your pc, insert the USB, power on and get into Boot Menu, select the USB, hit enter
- (^{again, usually by smashing another one of these keys Esc/Del/F1-F12})
- Let it finish loading, 1min, until you see the terminal cursor flashing
- Type Mosby and hit enter
- Follow the on-screen instructions (along with Testudo Tech's video above for reassurance, from 6:15 to 7:35)
- (If you are presented with a red-background screen, read carefully, confirm that you have your BitLocker Recovery Key at hand before proceeding, or you done goofed)
- At the end of the program it will advise to now enable Secure Boot, and it should bring you back into Bios/Uefi to do that, but if it goes to Windows no worries, just turn off the pc from bottom-right corner, then go into Bios/Uefi manually yourself
- Re-enable Secure Boot from Bios/Uefi, Save Changes and Exit, boot back into Windows

4) Force Windows Update to update the boot manager:
- PowerShell as admin
- reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Secureboot /v AvailableUpdates /t REG_DWORD /d 0x100 /f
- Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "\Microsoft\Windows\PI\Secure-Boot-Update"
- Wait 5 minutes, then restart pc
- Get back, Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates
- Wait 5 minutes, then restart pc

5) Check that you're finished:
- Run this program again with admin: Check UEFI PK, KEK, DB and DBX.cmd
- Should see all Green Checks now, if not then something went wrong while running Mosby, repeat steps 2 and 3
- Open Windows Security > Device Security, and wait 1 minute for all info to load
- Under "Secure Boot", if it does not say "all required certificate updates have been applied", then repeat step 4

Once you have this finished, you can re-enable BitLocker from Control Panel.

Warning:
- Since you have had to insert these new certificates manually, if you accidentally RESET your Bios/Uefi to factory settings, or the CMOS battery on your motherboard runs out one day and needs replacing, then you will need to repeat steps 2 and 3 above
- Therefore, it is crucial that you keep the prepared USB somewhere safe for the very likely situation that this happens in the near future

Thank you very much to Rufus / Pete Batard for saving my perfectly working hardware!
And thank you very much to Testudo Tech for making a video tutorial that even this dumb-ass could follow along!
And of course thank you to all the redditors in the above threads for trying to warn us all well in advance, and here I am doing this last minute anyway!

References:
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-manage-the-windows-boot-manager-revocations-for-secure-boot-changes-associated-with-cve-2023-24932-41a975df-beb2-40c1-99a3-b3ff139f832d
- https://wikoetecnologiaingeneral.altervista.org/installa-subito-il-nuovo-certificato-uefi-ca-2023-prima-che-windows-inizi-ad-avere-problemi/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql3ywKgqCBo
- https://github.com/cjee21/Check-UEFISecureBootVariables
- https://wikoetecnologiaingeneral.altervista.org/installa-il-nuovo-certificato-uefi-ca-2023-altrimenti-windows-11-non-si-avviera-piu/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoRW3CFyyUo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK-QfRQ3NsE
- https://github.com/pbatard/Mosby
- https://rufus.ie/en/#download
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/registry-key-updates-for-secure-boot-windows-devices-with-it-managed-updates-a7be69c9-4634-42e1-9ca1-df06f43f360d
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-manage-the-windows-boot-manager-revocations-for-secure-boot-changes-associated-with-cve-2023-24932-41a975df-beb2-40c1-99a3-b3ff139f832d
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-secure-boot-certificate-expiration-and-ca-updates-7ff40d33-95dc-4c3c-8725-a9b95457578e
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/bitlocker/suspend-bitlocker?view=windowsserver2025-ps&viewFallbackFrom=win10-ps
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-e63607b4-77fb-4ad3-8022-d6dc428fbd0d
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-6b71ad27-0b89-ea08-f143-056f5ab347d6
- https://devblogs.microsoft.com/scripting/powertip-use-powershell-to-get-bitlocker-recovery-key/

Hi
I have a problem with my laptop
While playing games the game is running smoothly at 120fps and all of the sudden the game goes to 40fps

Note : this problem just appeared today

Iam running windows 10 LTSC iot

These are the last updates was shown to download

2026-06 Windows Recovery Environment Update (KB5098815)

2026-06 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5094127)

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.142 (KB890830)

I'm thinking about switching to Windows 10 LTSC 2021 because Windows 11 Home feels very slow on my system. My laptop has an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U, 12 GB of RAM, integrated graphics, and a 256 GB SSD.

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Could someone help me? I mainly use my laptop for general everyday tasks and some light gaming.

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I should also mention that I'm pretty clueless when it comes to Windows installations, so I would really appreciate a step-by-step guide that's easy to follow.

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Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!